Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-12-15
Protectorate by United States.

One of the projects for the solution of
the Nicaraguan situation which has been
strongly urged upon the State Depart
mcnt is the establishment of a protec-
torate. either singly by the United States
or Jointly with Mexico.
This may be regarded as necessary in
the event that the insurg .nts fail to dis
place Zelaya by their own efforts, and
may even follow an insurgent triumph
which would leave the country without
responsible leaders.
T. 1t is said that precedent for such action
could be found In the cases of Santo
Domingo and Cuba. In the first instance
large sums of money were owing to
american citizens which could not b !: COL
iected from the Dominican government
then in d state of chaos by diplomatic
means.
In the case of Nicaragua the govern
ment has defaulted in the payment of
claim. In the case of Cuba a state of
disorder that threatened the safety of the
live and property of Americans and other
foreigners existed that was the warrant
for intervention
There is some reason to believe that a
forward movement will be made by this
government In the near future, perhaps
as soon as a sufficient number of marines
have been gathered off the Nicaraguan
coast. Yesterdays news from Managua
indicating the imminence of rioting be-
Tond the control of the local government
forces to suppress, might serve as the
basis for the landing of marines, and
their dispatch to lIanagua. if necessary
TO maintain order. just as was done on
the isthmus of Panama a few years ago.
1t is not part of the plan to MAINTAIN
such d force in Nicaragua permanently.
but only long enough to permit of a fair
and free general election and me estab-
lishment of a president. who will be
pledged to observe the constitutional
obligations.
Rodriguez Says Farewell.
Senior Felipe Rodriguez charge of the
Nicaraguan legation, who recently re-
ceived his passports from Secretary Knox
called at the State Department yesterday
afternoon and said farewell. He left
Washington today for a visit to Mexico
on his way home.
The proceeding was a little unusual in
the case of dismissed diplomatic repre-
sentative, but was entirely agreeable TO
knoxs statement in his letter of dismissal
that it was impersonal and that Senior
Rodriguez would be welcome In his per-
sonal capacity
The retiring official saw Assistant S.cre-
tary wilson and had long and confiden-
tial talk with him regarding the unfortu-
nate state of affairs in Nicaragua.
Senior Rodriguez will take up his res
ldence with his father-in-law in western
Mexico until conditions have quoted down
In Nicaragua.
&c as Made Fortune.
Tie report from Managua that the
Nicaraglan congress. probably anticipat-
irg the early retirement of President Ze-
laya. has authorized a number of inn
portant concessions to friends of mem
bers, calls attention to the number of
remunerative monopolies already enjoy ed
by ZelIya and other officials. The fa0s
a to these monopolies are of record in
the state Department and are said to be
susceptible of absolute proof.
This wholesale monopoly Of the re-
sources of the republic and. in fact, the
any form. is in viola ion of the Mica
ragu constitution. which specifically
ordains that there shall be no monopo-
lies Notwithstanding the constitutional
Inhibition. il is said that President Ze-
lava IS interested in at least seventeen
lnonopolies that pay large dividends. One
OF these Is called the Agu rdiente Syndi-
cate, which handles rum made from
sugar cane This monopoly paid during
the year 1909 20o per cent.
Another is the tobacco syndicate, a
ihlrd Is the cattle syndicate, which in
eludes slaughter tax and cattle export
duties, which pay per cent month.
The other monopclies include e fl
lowing: The sole right for expectation Of
cocoanuts on the Atlantic c. asst: thu
portation o. turtles, sponges. pearl. al
mother OF pearl on the Atlantic Il
the fisheries II the Pacific oas
pany formed for the INTRODUCED. of
crude oil for refining purposes n Corinto:
the mono for nail mandatory; the
soap trust the exclusive right of nayi-
eating II anks (Coco) river by S eam
and power, with exclusive mining. tim
Der and agricultural gfts in the north
eastern section of Nicaragua; the ex-
elusive right of navigating Esco 1dide
river by steam and power; also the ex-
elusive right of exporting bananas on the
Atlantic coast: to import powder ammu-
milton. &c: wharf privileges at Corinto
and Buefieids; to cut pine timber on the
Atlantic coast: TO navigate San Juan
- caragua lax by steam: IL
manufacture and sell salt ON the Pacific
coast, made by evaporating sea water
ava rece lily acquired a one-half in
L. est in firm owning important conces-
sions on the Atlantic coast. The meat
eoncession is owned wholly. by Felenaco
Lopez The firm also owns a half interes,
in the Bluff wharf concession at Blue
fields.
The existence If these and many other
monopolies hasY CONSTITUTED an onerous
burden TO the Nlcaraguan people and has
adversely affected trade and commerce
both foreign and domestic. They are said
to be indirectly responsible TO the finan-
cial stringency which of late years has
caused the national currency to steadily
depreciate until the average rate of ex.
guam bills, for 81 In American Gu rency.
NOR {