New-York tribune., 1909-12-23
SorND NTC4RAGTHN PoLICT

SOUND AFCARAGUEN PoLTCT.
The dramatic progress Of affairs in
Nicars qua affords no reason for altera-
tion Of the policy or attitude ~ the
American government toward that coun-
try. on the contrary. II strongly con
firms the initial wisdom and justice OF
the course which our government adopt
ed and has consistently pursued. Some
querulous persons. holding the doctrine
that whatever is done il wrong. seem re-
luctani 10 forgive the Secretary of State
for having been indicated aud persist IN
contendins that he ought not 90 have
known anything about Nicarasuan ar
fairs and above all ought not 10 have
intervcned for the protection Of Ameri-
cans. an least until the latter had actual
ly been killed. But judicious observers
will rejoice in this fresh demonstration
of the fact that our federal government
has ~ once the knowledge 10 act ac-
cordinc 10 needs and the courage 20 act
according 10 its knowledge.
There has been some ignorant or in
sincere talk lately about our govern
ments refusal 10 recognize the new
President Of Nicaragua and its deter
minaiion To intervene In behalf Of some
other man. Nothing could be more un-
warranted n was made clear AT the
outset hy Mr.. Knox that this country did
not assume 10 say who should or should
Dot be President All il wanted WAS 10
have some one There with whom il could
d. business in a sef-respectins manner
and who would conduct the Nicarasuan
2 vernment 80 as TO fulfl the interna-
tional duties and obligations Of civi-
lized government Mr.. Zelaya. after
trials which exhausted patience. amply
demonstrated that he was not such a.
man and was not within the bounds of
human probability likely 10 become one
Therefore the United States severed re
lutiOnS with him. But ~ the same tine
IL announced that il expected the Me
araguanS 10 choose their own chief q
state. and that a. soon a. they did so
IL would he ready 10 resume relations
with the government al Managua. That
was the American attitude az the begin
ming. that has been the consistent atti-
tude all along. aud We have every eX-
peciation thar II will be the attitude and
the policy 10 the end.
II il matter Of indifference 90 this
country therefore whether the President
of Nicaragua be named Irias or Nadriz
or Estrada. n looks 10 his policy. not
to his personally II there is no enthu-
siastic manifestation Of satisfaction and
restored confidence al the elcciios Of Mr..
such expressions over the election OF any
man until he had shown his worth would
be premature. and in the second place
because while Mr.. Madriz has enioved
estimabie rank as a justice of The inter
national court al Carriage his close po-
litical association with Mr. Zeiaya and
the confident predictions that ne WIN
continue the latters policy and perhaps
tolerate his predecessor a. the power he-
hind tho Presidential chair not unjustly
east some suspicion upon his political
future and suggest the desirabiliIy Of
awaiting Developments before pronounc-
ing judgment.
Perhaps IL viii he worth while n pass
Ing 10 rcpudiate once more the foolish
accusation that the United States is
treating a small country more harshly
than IL would treat great power. We
believe that precisely The contrary il
true. or course, none of the great powers
- likely 10 act as Nicaragua has done.
But II one should We are confident that
n would feel the hast resources Of Amer
lean diplomacy more promptly than did
NicaraSus. The fact j. that toward Me
aragua. as toward Venezuela. the United
States exercised exceptional patien"e and
furbearanoe Tor the very reason that n
WAS dealing with a small and feeble
state and did not wish 10 seem 20 take
advantage of its own strength and its
neiShbors weakness and this country
did Dot act until a point had been
reached ~ which IL was no longer pos
sihle 10 let weakness De considered n
used az a cloak for misdemeanor.