Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-11-21
UNCLE SAM DEBATING
HOW TO TRIM zELAYl
Method of Christening Mica.
ragua Is to Be Determined
Upon Today.
SEVERANCE OF RELATIONS
MAY NOT RESULT IN WAR
Recognition of Bellegerency Of
Rebels May Be First Step.
SHIPS AND MARINES READY
Force of 1 ZOO Men Within Striking
Distance-Four Warships to
Recognition of Bellegerency O
Rebels May Be First Step.
SHIPS AND MARINES READY
Force of 1000 Men Within Striking
Distance-Four Warships to
Protect American Interests
In Turbulent Territory.

That the critical situation between this
country and Nicaragua has reached the
acute stage was evidenced tonight, when
Secretary Knox sent for his colleagues
In the State Department and for the
acting Secretary OF the Navy and his
aids to meet in conference in his home.
For nearly three hours the statesmen
went over the situation. The result Of
their deliberations. was not made public.
1t was not der1ed that more warships
are to be dispatched south at once.
Those present at the conference were
Secretary Knox. Assistant Secretaries
Wilson, Adee and Hale; Acting Secretary
Of the Navy Beekman Winthrop, Rear
Admiral William z. Potter chief of the
bureau of navigation of the Navy De-
partment; Rear Admiral Charles H.
Stockton. retired; Henry M. Hoyt, coun-
selor of the State Department. and w.
T. S. Doyle, assistant chief Of the Latin
American division of the same depart
ment.
"When Does She Sailp"
Acting Secretary Winthrop, fanked on
either side by the two rear admirals on
leaving. seemingly was impressed by the
weight Of responsibility the conferees
had placed on his department
When does she sail?" he was over.
heard to ask Rear Admiral Potter as he
came down the steps of Secretary Knox's
residence.
Monday responded the naval officer,
laconically.
Neither would explain the meaning of
the question or answer. The others
likewise refused to dwell on the result of
their deliberations.
The day was replete with conferences
on the Nicaraguan situation Acting Sec
rotary Winthrop in the morning held a
long session with Admiral Potter and his
assistant. Capt. Chandler. Immediately
at the conclusion of the meeting Mr.
Braddock, private secretary to Secretary
Knox. was summoned to Mr. Winthrop
office.
There was considerable rumor about the
State. War and Navy building today that
the 400 marines In the Canal Zone are
under waiting orders. These could be
reinforced quickly by a detachment of
the same strength which Is now at
Philadelphia and which can be sent south
instantly.
Decision Is Imminent.
A declaration from the State Depart
ment as to what course this government
will pursue with respect to the Mica
raguan situation is expected to be made
this evening.
Secretary Knox and Assistant Secre-
tary Wilson conferred last evening on
the subject and will undoubtedly see
the President today
There is no doubt that the State De-
partment is contemplating action. It re-
mains to be seen whether the initial stem
will be the recognition Of the bellieer-
ency of the revolutionary government by
public declaration or whether 1t will
be a notification to the Nfcaraguan
charge here that this government NO
longer desires to maintain diplomatic re-
lations with President Zelaya.
The delivery to the diplomatic repre-
sentative of Nicaragua of his passports
would not necessarily mean war or that
this government intends to use coercive
measures to obtain satisfaction for the
action of President Zelaya in putting to
death the two Americans, Groce and
Cannon.
May Not Mean War.
There are many precedents for gov
ernments severing diplomatic relations
with another without any intention OF
resort to arms Venezuela furnishes
the latest instance of such action on this
hemisphere.
1t simply means that for some cause
deemed sufficient, the government initial
ing the action does not desire to con.
tinue diplomatic intercourse with the
other, and that relation may continue
| for an indefinite period.
The officials of the State Department,
are nOn-commlttdl on the subject II
seems altogether more probable that the
recognition of the belligerency of the
| Estrada government will be the first stel
taken. rather than the severance of dip
lOmatic relations.
Before leaving the department yeSter-
day afternoon Assistant Secretary Will
son stated that nothing had been heard
from Nicaragua since morning, and that
he would not be able to see the news
| noon at 4 o'clock. The inference was
that at that time an announcement OF
| Importance might be made.
Ships and Men Available.
| Despite the declaration that the United
States government has no intention o.
| interfering in the civil war in Nicaragua
| 1t is taking every precaution to safeguard
the lives and property Of Its citizens II
that country.
| To that end warships have been or
dered to both coasts Of Nicaragua. Ar
rangements have been made to have
| large body of marines in the Canal Zon,
| In case their services are needed for thu
| enforcement of the orders of the admin
| istration.
| In accordance with orders issued sew
eral days ago the protected cruiser De
| Moines Is at Port Limon. on the Atlantis
| coast of Costa RIGA. within striking dis
tance of Greytown, where a battle is i'm
minent between the government and in
| surgent forces. The gunboat Vicksburl
is at Corinto. the principal port of Mica
ragua on the Pacific coast.
Yesterday it was decided that condi
lions justified an increase of the naVa
force in Nicaraguan waters. The gun
boats Tacoma and Marietta. which ha,
just arrived at Guantanamo from a serie
| Of target practice, were ordered to joil
the Des Moines in patroling the Atlanti
coast OF Nicaragua.