Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-07-09
0vertures to the United States
in Behalf of Madriz.
TAFT REAFFIRMS POLICY
Recent Correspondence Between Two
Presidents Made Public.
KNOX'S COURSE IS UPHELD
Only Possible Violation" of Neu-
trality Declared to Pave Been
Case of the Venus.

Recent correspondence between the Presi-
of Mexico In regard to the political disturb
ances in Nicaragua shows clearly the
attitude of the respective governments.
While President Diaz did not go so far
as 70 directly intercede with President
Taft in behalf of the Madriz government
in Nicaragua, he did ask that, in case the
statements made by Madriz were true
the United States government should re-
consider its instructions, which were SO
Objectionable to Madriz. Diaz offered his
good Offices In connection with any step
taken by this government for the pacif-
cation OF conditions in Nicaragua. Presi-
dent Taft, in reply, reiterated the Ameri-
can policy in Nicaragua as set out in the
note OF Secretary Knox to Charge Rodri-
guez last December. and declared that
the only possible violation Of neutrality by
this government was in permitting the
steamer Venus TO sail from New Orleans
for Nicaragua with an expedition for the
MadriZ forces.
Exchanges Made Three Weeks Ago.
The correspondence just made public
was exchanged about three weeks ago.
when the situation in Nicaragua had
reached an acute stage. President Diaz
based his request to be allowed to inter-
mediate between the two countries on q
note which was addressed to him June
10 by Senior +. Baca, minister general
or the Madriz government. Baca de-
ciared that the Madriz army was. on the
point of wiping out the Estrada forces
when the United States interfered in the
bombardment OF the BLUM above Blue
fields.
President Diaz, on the same dav Rac.
il In,
gram to President Taft The denart-
ment OF foreign relations has lust re-
celved the following teiegraphic message
from the minister general of President
Madriz of Nicaragua" said Diaz. ouotinS
the message, and then added the follow
ing:
III these facts are exact in all details,
l permit myself, in the most friendly
spllt' 10 remommend most earnestly to
your excellency that. inspired once more
by that high spirit Of justice which has
always marked the government of the
Onited states or America. you would re-
consider those instructions OF which Mic
afa&oa-sesmplains. to the end Of permit
ting the government of Madriz, within a
prudently brief period, to accomplish
that complete pacification which is Of
fered, since prolongation of a state OF
war in that country might perhaps harm
all OF Central America. Ii your ex-
ceiiency believes that nay good ofrices may
prove useful in any manner for tine
ways disposed to exercise them"
Taft's Reply to Diaz.
The reply Of President Taft follows:
Washington. June 10. 1910
To His Excellency Porfirio Diaz, Presi-
dent of the United States of Mexico.
Mexico City:
Il esteem your excellency's friendly in
terest in the relation of the United States
with Nicaragua, which is at present In
deplorable condition. and the well-bejng
of which. as well as that Of the other re-
publics of Central America, the govern
ment of the United States and the gov
ernment of Mexico did SO much to pro-
mote during the period of the Washing
ton convention.
As your excellency will have surmised,
the telegram which DR. Madriz ordered
sent to you, as well as kilograms similar
to this sent to a large number of other
governments in which the continuation
of the struggle i'm Nicaragua is attributed
to the policy of the United States. has
evidently been transmitted under err
roneouS information with respect to the
actual facts and the principles of interna-
tional law applicable to the case
LAS to the statements made In the in
formation, L communicate the text of q
declaration which the Secretary of State
has ordered to be delivered to DR. Madriz
through the American conusul at Mana
qua, as well as TO the Estrada faction.
through the consul at Bluefields.
Defends Secretary Knox's Course.
The policy, of the United States re-
mains as set forth in the letter OF the
Secretary of State of December 1, 1900,
to Mr.. Rodriguez, then charge d 'affaires,
whereby relations with the Zelaya gov
ernment were broken Off. - The
government of the United States took
only the customary step of prohibiting
bombardment or fighting by either fac
ton within the unfortified and ungarri-
soned commercial city of Bluefields. thus
protecting the preponderating American
and other foreign interests, just as the
British commander had done at Grey
town, where there are large British in
tereStS
The government of the United States
has acknowledged the right of each fac
ton to maintain a blockade, but has re-
fused to permit vessels illegally and clan
destinely fitted out i'm American waters
to interfere with American commerce.
THE government of the United States
simply insists that each faction shall COL
lect duties only for territory under its
de facto control and refuses to permit
the collection of double duties.
IF any violation of neutrality has oc-
Cured, it was i'm connection with the
sailing of the Venus from New Orleans