The Washington herald., 1912-10-22
ELECTION OATEsET
IN NICARAGUA
United States to Keep Hands OF
Except to Preserve Peace
at the Polls.
DIAz THE ONLY CANDIDATE
DIAz THE ONLY CANDIDATE

II was announced ut the State Depart
ment yesterday that President Diax of
Nicaragua has issued a decree setting
Saturday, November 2. as the day for the
tree election OF President and Vice
President by direct popular vote. Diaz's
term of Office expires on January
next
Contrary to expectation, there will be
no supervision OF the election by the
American forces now in Nicaragua.
Though nearly 1000 marines and blue
jackets will be in Nicaragua at the date
Of the election. they will take no part
In the proceedings whatsoever. unless IL
be that disorder results during the vot-
ing. In such an event the Americans will
preserve the peace.
American supervision Of the elections
In Nicaragua, which. 1t was expected,
would put the final stamp of impartiahty
and disinterestedness on the course OF
the United States with regard TO the
disturbances in Nicaragua, had TO be
abandoned because OF the practical DIM
culties In the way. 1t was found that
to insure absolute fairness Of the cleo
ton and thorough impartiality upon the
part Of American supervisors. II would
be necessary to have a registration Pc
Rod also under the supervision of Ameri-
cans previous to the elections. Because
of the lack OF means of communication
throughout almost all the republic. It
would take months to carry this pro-
ramme into effect. 1t would likewise
require SPANS speaking men at each
voting place, and these the American
forces are not prepared to furnish In
anything like the number necessary.
Diax Has No Opposition.
President Diaz Is. SO far AZ is known.
the only candidate in the field at the
present moment. Gen. Mena, who had
the assembly elect him President by a
procedure Of doubtful legality, and who
started the recent revolt In order to
obtain the office by force. Is lying In a
hospital at Ancon. Canal Zone. q physi-
cal wreck and seriously Ill. Gen. Zele-
don, who, II has since been learned, in
tended to take the Presidency for him
self, though posing as Mena's ally, Is
dead. The entire crowd OF professional
revolutionists who poured into .Nicara-
qua to take advantage OF the Mena re-
volt, are either dead or out Of the coun-
try. All that are alive are under arrest
in either Honduras, Salvador, or Costa
Rica.
Leon has waited upon President Diaz
and Informed him that the Liberals Of
that city. which has heretofore been
the stronghold Of the party, repose
confidence in his administration and will
support him for the Presidency. Among
the legations Of Central American coun-
tries in this city. the opinion seems to
be general that President Diaz, by
emerging triumphant from the recent
upheaval. has gained tremendously in
prestige and power. His election Is re-
garded as a foregone conclusion
The election of Diaz would be re-
garded In Washington with some favor.
Diaz Is known here as an honest, up
right man, who has done his best in
Nicaragua. according to his lights.
What is particularly In his favor. from
the Washington point of view, il the
fact that he is a civilian. and without
any military ambitions.