The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1910-07-18
POLICE POWERS IN NICARAGUA

POLICE POWERS IN NICARAGUA.
Constant friction with Nicaragua, reports of |
barbarous treatment accorded American citizens
captured by the Madriz forces, all the incidents
Of revolution at the doors of this country call
ing for the exercise Of police powers by al
stronger nation for the sake of peace and stablI-
ity in a smaller and more erratic one, combine at
this time 10 demand a strong and energetic policy
bv the Washington government in the interests OF
quick solution Of troubles which no other Ma
ton than the United States would endure for al
nomenr. The eyes Of the world are upon this
country The Monroe doctrine, the policy con-
sidcred by the country at large the most i'm
portant which its history has formulated is in
volved. There hangs on the Niearaguan situa-
ton the maintenance of cordial relations by the
United States with the rest of the world Should
there be dalliance much longer continued these
relations would be joopardized, if not destroyed
We are strong enough to make the talk of foreign
wars largely matter of lingo excitement; but
it must not be forgotten that there are citizens
of other countries than the United States whose
rights haze accrued Lv their residence and in
vestments in Nicaragua. Under the Monroe doc
trine this country would look with distavor upon
foreign intervention Of a summary sort to main
tain their rights. Taking that position, it is obl1ga
tory that this country should, by preserving the
rights Of lis own citizens, stand sponsor for those
of foreign countries similarly situated he
Monroe doctrine guarantees peace TO the world III
American countries we'll as safety against
foreign aggression To American countries them
selves 1t is poor rule that will not work both
ways. 1t cannot be neglected by the country
which formulates the rule to see that equal JUS
tee is done Otherwise the rule reacts inevitably
upon trouble ont of all proportion to the benefit
! it was declared to confer
I These being the facts we arc in sympathy with
Mr.. Taft's declared policy Of intervention IN
Nicaragua Such action IS it is true, fraught
with embarrassment and danger. It means mis-
Understandings with Central and South Amer
lean countries. 1t implies a renewal of the
suspicion Of this countrys motives which the rape
of Panama from Colombia engendered. But
| the situation having arisen, 1t should be met.
The time has passed for abstract reason The
time has come for definite action. Whether
the contending Nicaraguan forces will yield to
the reason of the inevitable, or whether it be
found necessary to preserve peace with the force
of the Army and Navy peace ought speedily to
be established. What use is policeman without
club when those with whom he is called upon
to deal have forgotten the law and magnited
their own Importance
Saving so much we do not for a moment agree
with the action on the part Of this Government
which has brought about this condition The
existence of the present dilemma Is directly
raceable TO Washington. 1t has encouraged the
revolution, fomented instead of deprecated. the
fighting and the disturbance Of governmental
conditions There would. had it not been for its
illadvised activities, have long ago been peace
in Nicaragua The diplomacy of Mr. Knox has
shown all the vacillating quality of Mr. Taft. 1t
has blown hot and blown cold. Ii has advanced
with leap and shuddered at the brink. 1t has
taken unenable positions which it did not have
the courage either 10 abandon or continue. 1t
has fretted, and fumed, and hesitated. If with
respect to Nicaragua this country has been
policeman, it has been ''talkativc cop. 1t has
argued with threats of arrest, and threatened ar
rest with argument. 1t ought either to have
Stood aside in the first instance, carried out
determined policy in the next. The time has
come when the world looks for something 10 be
done.
Nicaragua is exactly in the position of a mob
ridden city cursed with a spineess constabulary.
Rights which were once clear have become CON
fused. The guilty are hopelessy mixed with the
innocent When, after long disorder, the au-
thoriies shall at length intervene it will neces-
sarily follow that the innocent and the guilty
will suffer alike. Inevitable as that is and alb.
stractv unjust any action which the United
States can now take will be- it were better to act
even nnjustly-than not to act at all. Mr.. Knox
and the President have created a hopeless tangle.
II is now Their remaining solution TO cut away
what they cannot unite. FL ----~4-----