The National tribune., 1909-12-16

Estrada. the revolutionary leader, was
suffering reverses. Every time a report
of these reverses comes to the United
States it is followed by the most en-
pfatic denials, so that one is not sure
just what one ought to believe How
ever, it is apparent that the State De-
partment is receiving fairly authentic
reports, which leads to conclusion
that President Zelaya is every whit as
strong as the Administration at Wash
ington wants him to be.
The United States and Mexico as
sumed a virtual protectorate over all
Central America couple of years ago,
and it is plain that the United States
would like to have Mexico join in the
present movement against Zelaya, or at
least to sanction it. Former Embassa-
dor Creel has undoubtedly come here t.
sound the various authorities. and to
make report to President DiaZ about
the wise course for Mexico to follow.
He met with Secretary of State Knox
Tuesday afternoon by appointment. but
in the meantime he had been engaged
in conferences with the Ministers of the
various Central American Republics
here. The program has not unfolded
in detail yet, but the effort is to proceed
along lines that will not provoke resent
ment from the other Central American
Republics.
Senor Creel believes that a federation
of Central American States is especially
desirable, but he does not urge that at
this time He thinks the situation not
ready for such a move.
The former ambassador is a very in
teresting man, most courteous in his
communications, and just now very en-
phatic about his desire to preserve
peace. - He closely resembles Senator
Gallinger, of New Hampshire. Like
Senator Gallinger, the Mexican rather
prides himself on the fact that he was
once a newspaper man. Mexico could
hardly have sent a more acceptable man
here on q peace mission. Senior Creel
speaks English and Spanish easily,
which equips him for conducting nego
tiatons with the State Department and
also with the Central American diplo-
mats in Washington. He is a man ac-
customed to big affairs, has a broad
view. and is strongly in sympathy with
the United States.
If war between the United States and
Nicaragua is prevented. Senor Creel will
very likely be the inStrumentality for
bringing that desirable conSummation
about Discourse, a war with Nicaragua
would be very small affair. Our army
of marines and jackies would be Suffi-
cient, operating with the insurgents, to
put Zelaya speedily out of business. But
the influence of such operations upon
the Central and the South American
At best the people at large in the Re-
publics to the south are suspicious of
the United States, and the big Nations
of Europe, anxious for the trade of
those countries, are not at all backward
about encouraging these suspicious.
Then, at the present time the United
States is contemplating some rather
drastic actions toward the little Repub-
lie of Panama. 1t is likely that the
United States Minister to Panama will
be recalled, and the diplomatic offices
he performs be assigned to the Cover
nor of the Canal Zone. The city of
Panama, the Capital of the Republic, is
continguous to the Canal Zone, and is
easily reached by the Governor. Fur
thermore, there is even an agitation
about annexing the Republic to the
United States to eliminate the petty
annoyances that are constantly arising.
The officials of the Panama Government
are shaping up plans that bring them
into a clash with the Canal authorities.
This disposition to absorb the little Re-
public, just when relations with Mica
ragua are strained to the breaking
point, is not unknown to the Central
Americans or to the European Govern
ments who are our rivals in commerce.