Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-07-11
KAISER TO MADR|z
Calls Him "Good Friend" in
Letter of Recognition.
ACTION CAUSES COMMENT
Step Taken by Germany May Have
Important Bearing.
OUR POLICY IS UNCHANGED
Attitude Toward Nicaragua Not Az
fected-No Fear for Safety Of
William NJ. Pittman.
ACTION CAUSES COMMENT
uR POLICY IS = UNCHANGED

AIenougn the omc1atS or the govern
ment are disposed to make light OF the
formal recognition OF the Madriz gov
eminent of Nicaragua by the German
emperor. it is conceded that such ac-
ton may have a most important bear
ing on the general situation. With the
notable exception OF the United States,
nearly all the principal nations which
had relations with President ZelAya
have continued doing business with DR..
Madriz as his successor in once. Ger
many. however, alone OF all the
European governments, has felt called
on to recognise formally the presidency
of Madris. and express sympathy with
his regime.
What adds to the significance Of the
German action IL that the recognition
was made by Emperor William Of Ger
many in a letter addressed to DR.. Mad
riz, whom he salutes as his great and
good friend" This letter was dated at
Strasburg. April &C. 1910, but has only
just been made public. The State De-
partment was fully advised Of the ac-
ton OF the German government at the
public comment.
Text Of Message.
The text Of the German emperor's mes
sage to DR.. Madriz follows:
Wilhelm. by tho Grace Of God EN-
perior of Germany and King Of Prussia,
to the President Of Nicaragua.
Great and Good Friend am informed
by your letter Of the 9Th of December
Of the year past that your excellency was
elected president of the republic by the
merited confidence Of your fellow-citizens,
and that your excellency entered upon
VAna< hnv Ar6h I,Yfin ha p1cf
Of said month.
Il beg you to accept, Mr.. President.
my congratulations on this event, and
be assured that also my government
will endeavor to maintain and culti-
vate the best relations, which happily
already exist between the German en-
pire and the republic Of Nicaragua.
Extending to you thanks for your
benevolent desires, l assure you of my
best wishes for your personal welfare
ragua, and for both my greatest re-
spect.
Germanys action in this matter has
not resulted in any change in the policy
OF the United States toward Nicaragua,
and Is not likely to do SO, in the opinion
of well informed officials. Although Ger
many recognized Madrix several months
ago, 1t Is pointed out, that action does
not seem to have been of very material
the Estrada revolution. In fact, the
Madriz faction has sustained several re-
verses since April, and is hardly SO well
interenched in power as before
Was Offered Island.
1t now seems to be generally accepted
that Germany Is the nation which was
offered an island of the coast of Mica
ragua for use as a coaling station on
81 SS,xA tn hA
interest of the Madriz government. AS
is well known the offer was not &C
cepted, and the incident was not taken
seriously by the officials Of the State
Department
The relations between the governments
Of the United States and Germany are on
a friendly and most satisfactory basis
and 1t is not believed to be at all likely
that the Nicaraguan situation will al
feet them in the least. Germany has
ly is DESTROYS Of bringing about settle
ment of the pending political disturb
ances in that country. The fact that the
German emperor has recognized the Ma
commit him to extend any material aid
to that government in its present dilemma.
Owing to the critical and unsettled state
of affairs on the east coast OF Nicaragua
one OF the German cruisers in the West
Indies station has been ordered to visit
Bluefields and other ports on the coast to
investigate conditions and to safeguard
German interests in that quarter. In SO
doing she follows the example set recent
ly by Great Britain in sending one Of her
warship to east Nicaragua.
officials of the State Department said
today that they felt no apprehension fos
the safety of William p. Pittman. the
American engineer captured by Madriz
forces while setting mines in front OF
BIuefields for the Estrada forces. Con-
sui Moffet has informed the department
that Pittman has been removed from
Bluefields bluff to Greytown on his way
1t is understood that the change was
made in order to prevent the rescue of
Pittman by the Estrada forces at Blue
fields.
To Watch Pittman Case.
The United States government has
taken steps to prevent the summary
execution of Pittman. and will watch his
case carefully to see that no harm befalls
him. The Madriz authorities have given
assurances that Pittman will be treated
as a prisoner of war and protected in all
his rights. The duration of his i'm
prisonment will depend on the result Of
the present struggle in Nicaragua. 1t is
possible. however. that DR.. Madriz may
release Pittman as an act of comfy to
The duration of the war in Nicaragua
has so Impoverished the government in
control of the western part of the country
that DR.. Madriz has been obliged to re-
sort to the exaction of forced loans from
private individuals. 1t is his practice to
levy such exactions on members OF the
conservative party and liberals who are
suspected of sympathizing with the revo-
luton.
The collection of these forced loans Is
carried on without much consideration
for the victims. In many cases they are
notified that one-half of the amounts as
sessed to them must be paid within
twenty-four hours and the remainder
within three days. with an increase of
% per cent in the event that payment is
not then forthcoming. AS an induce
ment to prompt payment, the houses Of
the victims are besieged by squads OF
armed police or soldiers and the inmates
are prevented from leaving the premises.
even to secure food and other necessities,
until the amount Of their assessment has
been paid.
At the State Department 1t is said that
the system above outlined Is in sharp
contrast with that Of the faction in con-
troll in eastern Nicaragua. which has thus
Far innosed M forced loans and has