The Washington times., 1912-08-29
STOPPING TROOPS
ON THE |STHMUS
IS SURPRISE HERE
State Department Fails To
Explain Order Affect
ing Nicaragua.

whether there are sufficient marines to
guard American interests in Nicaragua,
was the impelling motive that suddenly
caused President Taft to change his
mind and recall the order issued for the
dispatch of the Tenth Infantry from
Panama to Nicaragua, was not cleared
UP by official information given out
today at the State Department.
Department officials stated today that
1t was suddenly discovered last night
that enough marines, including those on
board the Prairie now in transit. could
be thrown into Nicaragua in a brief
time, thereby obviating the necessity OF
sending American troops.
= This conclusion was reached so sud-
denly that late yesterday afternoon
none Of the officials of either the State
or war Department knew of the sup
posed change in conditions. The order
from President Taft canceling the pro-
posed expedition. came late at night,
and IL any reassuring news came from
Nicaragua, it may have arrived during
the intervening period.
Want Protection.
State Department officials reiterated
today that 1t made no difference to
them whether the men sent into Nicara-
-. qua were marines or infantry. They
said they were interested only in pro-
tecting Americans and were not par
ticular about the methodresorted to.
1t has been frequently asserted that
the sending of soldiers into another
ton Of war, whereas the landing OF
marines has been construed from an
altogether different standpoint. 1t is
stated that Mexico would have been
greatly alarmed by the United States
sending soldiers to Nicaragua, looking
upon 1t as a precedent which might
lead to the same action In United States
relations with her.
The several dispatches received from
Nicaragua today were delayed in trans
mission more than seventy-two hours.
The consul at Corinto under date Of
August q, advised the department that
Leon and Chinandega are in the hands
of the rebels, and that adherents of the
liberal party had Joined the insurrectos
erals entered Corinto under a flag Of
truce. They were led by a man named
Baca, who delivered an ultimatum to
the commandant of the port demanding
over to the rebels. The demand was re-
fused, the commandant stating that the
protection of the city was in the hands
of the American forces
Consul Serves Notice.
On the following day the committee
returned. and the American consul in
formed the leaders that the COM
mander of the American forces would
allow no armed force to enter Corinto.
The militant Nicaraguans then retreat
ed crestfallen and chagrined.
Order is now being maintained there.
Ninety officers and marines entered
Corinto from Managua on Monday
having marched the distance.
Commander Washington. of the Den
yer, in cablegram sent from sar
Juan del Sur declares that conditions
In general are bad, and the food supply
is being rapidly exhausted.
Late today additional dispatches were
received saying that the rebels hat
promised the consul at Corinto thai
they would have the railroad connect
ing that port with the capital repaired
in eight days, and that all telegraph
wires would be restored in the mex
reassuring news received here in some
time. 'H "A.
Four hundred bluejackets landed early
this morning at Corinto, Nicaragua
charge of policins the railroad t.
Managua, the Nicaraguan capital, &C
cording to advices received today a
the State Department Two thousant
marines and sailors will be modified II
Nicaragua by next week.
Reopening of the railroad between
Managua and Corinto will be the frs
work of the American bluejackets to
day. State Department officials declare
The men of the California will be scat
tered along the railroad right-of-way, t.
prevent molestation of trains by tn
rebels.
Action Disapproved.
The Presidents action in resembling
the order directing the entire Tenth In
fantry to sail from Panama City t
protect Americans in Nicaragua, me
with disapproval on all sides today.
At the war Department, certain Off
ctals, 1t Is understood, believe the stu
alton In the southern republic Is 1
'oecond Boxer uprising.
kilograms from American citizens IL
the country indicate that a massacre i
feared at any moment. The 1000 addi
tional marines who are to be landed a
Corinto next week may prove adequat
to uuell the disturbance that Is genera
in the republic, but 1t is feared thei
arrival may be too late.
Prominent officials hold to the belle
that no time should be lost in .andin
the troops now stationed at Panama
many tef~grams from Nicaraguan gov
ernmeEt officers and on the pleas c
United States Minister Weitzel and va
rious consular agents.
News dispatches sent from aboar
the Presidents train late last nigh
indicate that Mr.. Taft is still "hoping
for a ceSaation of hostilities in Nicars
qua. Even the sending of marines
the turbulent country several week
ago, was with reluctance on the pal
of the Chief Executive.
The order to dispatch the Tenth II
fantry yesterday stated that the Pres
dent would follow 1t through" II h
tnds conditions in Nicaragua do M
improve. Judging from past events, I'll
chances for improvement n the wa
some are slim.
Backing Mena.
About the State Department today
was reported that American interest
are financing General Mena's revoll
tion. To back up this assertion 1t wa
pointed out that about $2O,OOO,0O0
Nicaraguan paper money representa-
by reason of It's debased standard pc
haps 81, 900, 900 of United States currenc
had been issued by the revoiutionis
soon after the outbreak occurred
]. and W. SeHgman and Brow
Brothers and Company are the tV
principal banking firms in the repu
lie, and by reason Of loans advance
to the government they reserve Il
right to collect customs at all Nicar
guam ports. naming thej- OWL repr
senfR tiVeE-