New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-11-22
Ex-President, Held to
Blame for Americans
Deaths, Unmolested.
NICARAGUAN SHOWS
GREAT .EFFRONTERY
Said To Be Emboldened by
Change of Administration and
Retirement of Knox.

Washington Nov H.-Persons in Wash
ington familiar with the circumstance OF
the fight from Nicaragua OF ex-President
Zelaya, who is now in New York, and
who know the evidence that was accumu-
lated at the time by the State Depart
ment, showing Zelayas direct RESPONSE
bility for the unjustfed execution of two
Americans, Leonard Groce and Leroy
Cannon, are keenly interested In knowing
what steps, If any, have been taken
toward making II impossible for Helaya
to enjoy the hospitality Of the United
States. If not in fact. sending him TO
Nicaragua for trial. At the State De-
partment this afternoon Secretary Bryan
said that nothing was being done. Last
week Zelaya. through Luis +. Corea, for
merly Nicaraguan Minister here. sought
an interview with Mr.. Bryan, but the
request was denied.
There are those in Washington who
think that Zelaya shows great effront-
cry in coming 10 this country, and VINO
believe he has done so In the belief that
the change Of administration and the
disappearance from the State Depart
ment of eX-Secretary Knox, who drove
him out of Nicaragua. have given him
feeling OF confidence. Latin-American
experts think that it will do American
prestige I'm Latin-America little good TO
permit Zelaya to remain In this country
and insist he should be deported, If there
is any. legal way of doing so. In this con-
necton IT is said that there are indict-
ments against Zelaya in Nicaragua which
might be utilized for deportation.
Under the Taft administration the state
Department was absolutely convinced OF
Zeaya's direct guilt In the matter OF the
killing of Cannon and Groce. Those two
Americans were engaged In the revolu-
ton against Zelaya and were arrested
At the same time a Frenchman was
taken. The three men were tried on the
same charges at the same time and were
all found guilty. on different charges.
however. from those for which they were
originally arrested. The Frenchman was
given year In jail. while Cannon and
Groce were executed, justifying the pe-
lief. officials thought, that the fact that
the two men we're Americans had much
TO do with the drastic punishment.
Appeals OF the prisoners went unheed-
ed The American consular representa-
tive at Managua went TO Ielaya before
the executions and demanded action from
him. Zelaya, the record clearly shows
deceived the consular agent Of the United
States, and, while pretending to take
some action. he I'm reality caused the eN-
ecutions TO take place Immediately. Sec
rotary Knox, after investigation, held
Zelava personally responsible for the
deaths Of Cannon and Groce. on account
of the execution he broke of diplomatic
relations with Nicaragua, dismissed
Charge d'Anaires Rodriguez, and sent an
armed expedition TO Nicaragua. Ielaya
escaped on a Mexican gunboat, placed at
his disposal by Por1rio Diaz, and went 10
Europe, after visiting Mexico for time.
Now. after four years, he comes to the
United States II Is said here that the
Department OF immigration has started
an investigation Of the matter In order
10 ascertain what can be done, but. Al
though many days have passed. II IL said
that no conclusion has been reached. IL
is said further that the investigation j.
being prosecuted in New York. although
the facts are in the possession or the
Department OF State.