The Washington times., 1909-04-14
UNCLE SAM GUARDS
CENTRAL AMERICA
Castro Incident Encourages
Officials to Form General
Protectorate.
By JAMES HAY. r.

Officials Of the State Department feel
that they now have a free hand to
establish a general protectorate over all
the countries Of Central America, as a
means of insuring peace in that terri
tory.
This policy has been practically In
dorsed by Great Britain and France
the two countries which, at the request
OF the United States, joined with this
country in the successful effort TO pre-
vent Cipriano Castro from landing in
Venezuela. It was felt to be desirable
20 keep Castro out OF Venezuela be-
cause II was known that he had taken
all the preliminary steps toward start
ing revolution TO overthrow the pres
ent government OF his country.
When approached by this country, the
other great powers OF the world said
the ex7atriation OF Castro was a gooo
thing in view Of the object it was in
tended to promote. peace.
Now the patent argument is that, IL
the powers concur in the plan to compel
peace in Verezuela, a South American
republic. they will concur with equal
readiness in the design 10 accomplish
the same result in Central America.
By Force of Arms.
There is not the slightest doubt that
this country IS at this moment exercis-
ing influence over Central America by
what is practically force OF arms. Every
diplomat here from Central American
expresses the opinion that but for the
firm stand taken by Secretary OF state
Knox. President Zelaya OF Nicaragua
would have declared war weeks ago Oh
Salvador. American warships have been
cruising in Central American waters.
and they are continuing TO do so.
IN several different ways the word has
gone forth from this Administration
that revolutions and disturbances will
not BE- tolerated III those countries
whose nearness TO the Panama canal
the building Of the canal. II is an open
secret that the state Department IS,
now merely debating what means will
be best 10 keep Central America in q
state OF quiescence.
The time was-and not so very long
aEO-When presidents Of those countries,
grew rich by the peaceful pillage Of
men who invested large capital in their
countries. Also the time was when
revolutions were organized and carried
20 success merely for the sake Of get
ting plunder. or course. they were
revolutions OF the teapot kind, and the
battles were scarcely as bloody as a
good healthy riot in this country.
Nevertheless they served the purpose Of
keeping things disquieted and generally
Involved.
An Illustration.
Some idea OF how the powers Of the
world resent this can be gathered from
the reflection that they banded together
70 hunt the little Castro from any lair
he might find and drive him back TO
Europe. And. as they dislike disorder
IN Venezuela, they also dislike it in
Central America.
Just how the United States will exer-
else it's protectorate functions over
Central America is not yet known, but
that II will do so in some way is gen.
orally admitted. For the preesnt the
warships are a pretty good means II
has been suggested that commissioners
may be sent from this country 10 the
countries Of Central America, but a
final opinion on IL has not yet been
reached.
After Zelaya's representative. now on
his way here from Nicaragua, arrives
in Washington, things wlil develop verv
rapidly. There viii be a program
fixed. forbidding the Central Americans
20 turn their guitars into battering
rams ana their cigarettes into weapons
OF war.
The United states means business at
last.