TROUBLE IN NICARAGUA.

Evening Post, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 134, 3 December 1909, Page 7

TROUBLE IN NICARAGUA.

UNITED STATES TAKING A HAND. By Telegraph.— Press Association. — Copyright. WASHINGTON, 2nd December. Senor Luis F. Corea, Nicaraguan Charge d'Aifaires ar- Washington, has been handed his passports. * In taking this action, Mr. P. C. Knox, Secretary of State, said the authors of the recent execution of two Americans in Nicaragua, for alleged participation in the revolutionary movement, would bo held personally responsible, and the Government of Nicaragua, would be compelled to observe the principles adopted at the conference of Central and South American Republics at Washington, in the interests of peace and harmony. The transport Prairie is leaving Philadelphia to-day, and conveys 1000 marines to Panama. Nicaragua has been in an unsettled state for some time, and the President, Senor Don Joae Sa'ntos Zeiaya (who was elected in 1906 for a term of six years) has earned an unenviable reputation for cruelty. On the 19th November it was stated that passengers arriving at New Orleans from Nicaraguan ports had reported that five hundred persons suspect•ed of revolutionary sympathies were summarily shot 'by President Zelaya's orders. At the same time came the news that two Americans who were caught serving with the revolutionary forces, were executed by President' Zeiaya despite a Consular appeal for commutation of the sentence. -The gun<boafc Vicksburg wasj in consequence, ordered to hasten to Corinto, and the cruiser Dcs Moines to Port Limon. The executed Americans were charged-., with placing dynamite mines and attempting to explode them under steamers laden with Government troops at Greytown, Nicaragua. The state Departrnnt at Washington at once demanded- afull and complete explanation, but was -dissatisfied with that furnished. "Eha 'American Vice-Consul at Managua declared that the execution was due to President Zelaya's personal enmity of of the executed men. The State 'Department at Washington appears to hold the view that the men were engaged in a legitimate act of warfare. On. the 23rd November it was reported that, despite United States remonstrances, a hundred Americans were still imprisoned in Nicaragua. Writing to his paper- on 19th October, The Times correspondent stated : — "The revolution in Nicaragua appears to be formidable, and, if it results in the overthrow of President Zeiaya, a little regret will ibe felt in, Washington, .although, of.cour&e, no step can be taken towards recognition of General Estrada, the leader of the revolt, until the latter is in practical control of the country. President Zeiaya has long been a cause of unrest in Central America, and at last, by the multiplication of concessions and monopolies, appears to ha-vo exas- • perated his countrymen beyond the bounds of restraint." At one period it was thought that Mexico might' lend a hand to the Nicaraguan Preseident, but it has fince been pointed out that the agreement between the United States and Mexico made that improbable.