Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-06-24

With its people pitiably poor. its terri
tory still bleeding from the unhealed
wounds of war. and Its finances stll
the blight OF Zelayaism and rev.
olution, the politicians of Nicaragua, but
lately agreed that peace must be main
tanned at all hazards. are now again play
ing that peculiar game Of Latin-American
politics whose usual end is war.
While they are doing this the Ameri-
can government is striving to prevent
them from flying at each others Threats
again. Through the State Department
and Minister Northcott the United States
is urging upon the politicians In Mica
ragua the absolute necessity Of sinking
their personal ambitions for the welfare
OF their country, and is striving TO secure
the ratification of a treaty that Will enabie
American bankers to secure themselves
in furnishing funds for the payment of
the republics foreign loans. for the re-
Mobilization of it's finances. the construc-
ton Of internal improvements and
the development Of its resources.
The provisional president Juan Estrada.
appointed last winter, and at the time
acceptable to all sides, has been forced
out of Office and has gone to New Orleans,
presumably for the purpose OF financing
another revolution. 1t is definitely known
that an offer has been made to one OF the
big foreign interests in Nicaragua to give
1t certain valuable concessions II II will
furnish the funds for the prosecution OF
the war. Meanwhile, there are two
other rivals for the presidency. two who
were allies until their ambitions con-
flicted, since which time they have been
bitter enemies. and no one knows how
soon their differences may precipitate an
other outbreak.
While all OF this has been happening
the American consul at Managua has
been retired
American Consul from the
Retired From Service. disaerees
with the American minister over the pol
icy of the United states toward Nicara-
qua. He was the close personal FRIEND
OF Juan Estrada, the provisional presi-
dent, and asserts that the United States
ought to support Estrada. even after he
had apparently broken his promise to
Minister Dawson that he would not be a
candidate for reelection to the presi-
dency.
In it's multiplicity of plots and counter
plots, Of intrigues and double dealings. OF
broken agreements and the subordination
of the general warfare to personal ambi-
ton the story of Nicaragua represents a
climax in Latin-Amerfcan politics. I'M
mediately after the close of the revolu-
ton in which Estrada was the victor the
State Department dispatched the Ameri-
can minister to Panama. Thomas G
Dawson, to Nicaragua. with orders to
patch up some sort OF agreement wnich
would make possible a lasting peace.
Dawson had proved his ability in this
direction elsewhere. When he arrived In
Managua he called all the leaders or the
revolution together and in a conference
with them ii was decided that Estrada
should be made the provisional president
Of the republic for a term Of two years
upon the definite understanding that he
should not be candidate for reelection
1t also was agreed that congress should
be elected. and that II should constitute
convention for the adoption Of consti-
tuition, which should be subject to the
approval Of the provisional president. Es-
trada was a liberal, but in his revolution
was allied with the conservatives. In
the election of congressman, which was
not by popular vote, as Americans know
1T, a practically unanimous conservative
congress was elected.
X
When the constitution was completed
it contained clause providing for the
reunion of
Reunion of Church church an
and State Provided. si,ion Wholly
unsatisfactory to the liberals and also to
President Estrada. Another clause linn
tied the electorate and practically insured
the election OF Gen. Chamorro as presi-
dent at the first regular election With
these clauses in it, Estrada refused to
approve the constitution and sent con-
gress home. Another congress then was
chosen, and this also was of a conserva-
tive complexion, but as friendly to the
political aspirations of Gen. Mena as the
other one had been to those of Gen.
Chamorro. This congress brought I'm a
constitution which. should It go into eff
feet. would give Gen. Mena every ad-
vantage in the presidential race that the
former one had given to Chamorro. In
the meantime. 1t fs asserted. Estrada de-
yeloped-or resuscita ed-an ambition to
succeed himself, and was forgetful OF his
promise to the United States in that re-
spect
Deciding to thwart the political ambi-
tions of Gen. Mena. who was then min
lister OF war. Estrada removed all of the
officers Of the army who had been ap-
pointed by Mena, and, as commander-in-
chief, appointed q new set OF off1cers
who were friendly to him. He there
after ordered the arrest of Mena. but the
soldiers were loyal to the officers ap-
pointed by Mena and refused to take or
ders from those appointed by Estrada