New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1909-12-07
CENTRAL AMERICAN SENTIMENT.

There have been various somewhat
agitated explanations OF protest and dis
may at the vigorous action OF our State
Department toward Nicaragua, or rather
toward President Zelaya Of that coun-
try. The notion is expressed that such
shirt sleeves diplomacy" will at once
undo all the good which was done by
the former Secretary OF State in his
journey through Latin America, and Will
ALLEVIATE those nations and cause them TO
re gard us with suspicion, resentment
and aversion. These utterances might
appear 10 be invested with more weight
If some of the most solicitous Of them
did not proceed from sources which were
once profuse with cynical and skeptical
dlatribes against Mr.. Roots mission. and
indeed against all movements toward
closer relations with Latin America.
In reality few things could be more
offensive 10 our Southern neighbors than
the suggestion that our governments
action toward Mr.. Zelaya was or could
be cause of offence 10 them. For that
would imply their supposed sympathy
with him and with that which he rep
resents. IL would imply their champion
ship of oppression, disorder and broken
faith. 1t would mean that they were
not 10 be regarded rs amenable 10 a
civilized code of ethics, but were 10 be
left as international outlaws. free 10
pay ducks and brakes with solemn
treaties and 10 make Of their part Of the
world an earthly pandemonium.
a To NOT ,aaonrx % thar,
We believe that the Central American
states were in earnest in making those
treaties of two years ago at Washing
ton, and that the majority of their gov
ernments and people desire them 10 be
maintained in good faith. We believe
that they desire peace and constitutional
order: that therefore the conduct OF Mr..
Zeiaya is as offensive 10 them as il is
10 the United States. and that they. in
fact. welcome gratefully the course
which is being taken by this nation as
calculated 10 serve their interests even
more than fits own.
That such will be it's effect. and is. in
deed, its practical intent. cannot reason
ably be doubted. From a purely selfish
point Of view IL would matter little TO
the United States what happened in
Nicaragua. But il matters much TO the
other states what happens there. Ii d.
rectly concerns their peace and integ-
rity. Yet ii is manifestly impossible for
them 10 do anything about IL. even IN
self-defence. without danger OF the most
serious complications. On the other
hand. the United States can act more
effectively than they could without the
slightest danger Of any embarrassing re-
suits.
The course which Mr.. Knox is pur-
suing should and. we believe, will con-
firm our present good relations with the
Latin American countries. In leaving
the contending factions in Nicaragua
free 10 choose their own chief Of state
IL gives abundant assurance-if IL be
needed-against any sinister motives of
spoliation or oppression. IL shows that
the United States not only gave its moral
countenance to the making of the treaties
Of 1907, but also purposes 10 give its
practical influence toward the keeping
Of them. II is course which is at once
creditable 10 this country and in the
highest degree respectful and benevolent
toward our Southern neighbors and we
have little doubt that they will so es-
TEEN il.