Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-04-02

they renamed until the SecTeCdIg VI
state had left the city. General Ro-
dolfo Espinosa, perhaps the biggest
man among the liberals, now an exile
In Costa Rica, called upon the secre-
tary of state during the latter's stay
at San Jose and besought him to use
his influence to prevent the persecu-
ton of liberals by the conservatives
in Nicaragua. OF course, the secre-
tary of state could not NEEDLE in the
affair, but he would have been bet
ter pleased if the conservatives had
used less strenuous means to protect
him from insult
As a matter of fact, when the agi-
tation was closely analysed it ap-
peared that the feeling was less anti
American than anti-government and
many liberals called upon the secre-
tary of state in Managua, disavowed
the inflammatory utterances and in
sisted that their grievance was
against the conservatives, who, they
declared had failed to fulfill their
promises for reform. Many denied
that they wished Zelayaism restored.
out anti-Americanism was confined
chiefly to the uniformed, who in
their ignorance of the real policy of
the United States had been easily
made to believe that the visit of the
secretary of state was the forerunner
of American occupation. This belief
has been found among the less in
formed in other countries visited.
The trains carrying the Knox party
from Corinto to Managua suggested
an armed invasion. First there was
q pilot train consisting of locomotive
and one car. The car carried so SOL
diers and from the rear door Colt
automatic gun with a capacity of 250
shots a minute was trained upon the
special of five cars Immediately fol-
lowing The position of the weapon
aroused mixed feelings among the
country's guests, but fortunately a
freight car, filled with musicians, and
two coaches occupied by Nicaraguan
escorts interviewed between the artil-
lery and the presidential coach set
aside for the Knox family. Closely
following the special was a third
train of three cars carrying a hun
dred soldiers and another machine
gun At every station soldiers lined
the track on either side. All the SOL
diers were fully armed and were in
light marching order. The cartridge
belts we're fixed on the automatics
ready for instant use.
All this precaution was not as re-
assuring as it was intended to be, but
as the trip progressed and nothing
unpleasant happened the Americans
! became accustomed to the military
display and rather enjoyed the ride
of 80 miles, though it occupied six
/ hours. The train passed through a
magnificent fertile country, where
neglected land can be purchased for
So gold an acre.
At Ameya, Chinamdega, Chichi-
galpa and Posoltega small groups
gathered at the stations, waved their
hats and shouted "Saluate Cham
mora" This is the General Cham
mora who figured prominently in the
revolution and is now a candidate for
the presidency with a strong follow
ing among the humber classes.
The largest crowd was at Leon, the
ancient Spanish capital and the hot
bed of anti-Americanism There was
no cheering here. In the front row
on the station platform was Nonsalez
author of a leaflet warning the secre-
tary that he might meet the fate that
befell the American filibuster, Will
liam Walker, who was executed in
time there were no derisive cries mol
were any heard at any point through.
out the trip to Managua and return
or during the stay at the capital
Members of the party went freely
about Managua in carriages and
afoot suffering not the slightest dis
courtesy and no inconvenience unless
it were that of the obligation of re
plying to the incessant Salute
So much for the "anti-American
ISM" The other political situation
is within the conservative govern
ment, where three factions, happily
united in the welcome TO Mr.. Knox
are easily discovered. These are
headed respectively by Presiden
Diaz, President-elect General Luil
Mena, the minister of war, and Gen
eral Chimmora, nephew of the foreign
minister and who is not in the gov
eminent, but participated in the vel
come to Mr.. Knox. All three factions
sought to make political capital gu
of the visit, but to the credit of tn,
secretary of state be it said the,
seem 10 have failed.
Following the success of the revo
luton and the retirement of Madriz
who had succeeded President Zelaya
the Dawson convention with tn
United States was adopted. This pro
vided for a provisional government
headed by Estrada pending the adop
ton of a constitution and a popula
election. Estrada proved less of
statesman than a soldier and soon re
tired, being succeeded by Vice Pres
ident DiaZ. General Mena, who is il
absolute control of the assembly, a
we'll as having at his back the 2,OOt
mer constituting the present army
anticipated the popular election AM
had the assembly elect him presiden
for a four-year term, beginning oil
Jan. l, 1918.
He holds the whip hand and in con