The Washington herald., 1910-07-17
The Nicaragua Situation.

Auc 01CdldS uh OAtuEtIous
It Is diseredltable spectacle that is
presented to the world m Nicaragua at
present. and for what is happening now,
and for what may happen as the out
come OF the present unfortunate situa-
tion-which is dangerously explosive-the
United states Is bound to be held more
or less morally responsible.
IN no uncertain terms the government
Of the United States has declared itself
possessed Of special interests in Central
America. and the Washington conven-
lions. entered into between the free re-
publics. were negotiated and signed with
this governments advice and approval.
American interests predominant largely
in Nicaragua, and American citizens. not
alone in Nicaragua. but in all Central
America. look to their government for
adequate protection and for the exertion
Of such influence as viii cause the spirit
and intent Of the washington conventions
to become a reality.
But It must not be overlooked that other
nations, too. are interested, and legitimate
" so. There are in Nicaragua British.
German, French, italian. and other inter
ests, and these are suffering equally with
our own. From these nations already
we hear complaints OF their losses and OF
the sense Of insecurity in which their
property Is held. They. too. base their
hope Of protection on the United states.
If we. as a nation. object TO nterven-
ton by Great Britain Or Germany on
behalf of their subjects and their prop
erty interests, whe Is TO guarantee their
protection. or who Is to insure the pay
ment of the claims for damages which
are certain to be presented later on?
In his message to the Congress of April
II, 1898. President Mckinley said con-
corning Cuba;
THE only hope OF relief and repose
from a condition which can no longer be
endured is the enforced paeihcation of
Cuba IN the name of humanity. in the
name Of civilization, in behalf OF endan-
gered American interests. which give US
the right and the duty to speak and to
act. the war in Cuba must stop"
The conditions in Cuba at that time
were not more deserving of consideration
than are those existing to-day in Mica
ragua. Both parties in the struggle for
supremacy are already so weakened that
neither can hope readily to crush the
ether Guerrilla warfare, savage and
sanguinary, may be expected to con-
tinue indefinitely unless there be found
some method to end the strife. Such
warfare usually degenerates into lawless
and unbridled brigandage, and this may
eventually extend 10 the neighborine
states and once more provoke In those
communities that revolutionary tendency
which the Washington conventions were
drawn up to avoid, and which they have
done so much to anay.
If the United States is not prepared
for intervention-and certainly there
seems to be no public sentiment in favor
Of such a course-has not the time ar.
rived when the republics that have &c
earnestly adhered to the Washington
conventions, and have shown such ad
mirable self-control, should now be con.
suited with respect to the adoption O
means necessary to bring. peace?
The existence of Zelayaism so clos,
to their own frontiers is a constant
menace and a danger. and It is certain
that they would gladly cooperate witt
the United States to secure the re-estab
llshment of a constitutional form o.
government, aided by that part of the
Nicaraguan people capable of responding
to international obligations.