The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1912-08-24
Armored Cruiser California
Ordered to Land Ameri-
can Bluejackets
REBEL DISSENTION
WILL BE. WELCOMED
Regarded By Those in Dan
ger in Tempestuous Re-
public as Lessening
Danger of Attack

W Ash NGION. august A"~~~ ! NV
armoured cruiser California, speeding
for Panama, has been ordered to put
III at Corinto and land $40 biuejackets
and her full detachment OF sixty ma
rines After this the vessel Will steam
Immediately for Panama TO take on
marines which leave Philadelphia to-
morrow on the transport Prairie. The
California probably will arrive at Cor
into Wednesday.
II Is authoratively declared that
the administration Is determined TO
extend the fullest possible measure OF
protection 10 American life and pso-
perty In Nicaragua, and II the naval
lorces now In that country. even when
heavily reinforced by tho large ma
rine contingent now rapidly beng as
sempied at Philadelphia and the see-
eraI hundred hluejackets en- route TO
Corirto on the California and the Den
Yer. arc not sufficient to assure that
prot. elton, then more forces Will be
rushed forward until that end has
bee attained.
The State department is unmoved
by Tho criticism of Senator Bacon, and
relies on a long line of precedents
where American military and naval
forces have been employed without
congressional direction in cases where
American lie and property were in
jeopardy. The officials declare that
hat is the sole purpose OF the landing
of the marines and hluejackets Ia
Nicaragua.
Largest Peace Force.
When the reinforcements en- route
to Nicaragua have arrived AT their
destination the navy will have ashore
in that country the most numerous
force Il has ever landed In an Amert-
can republic except Ia time of war.
X il said al the State department
that further increases of this force
Will be made promptly on the repre-
sensations OF the American minister
ur the senior naval commander in
Nicaragua waters. There liz no dis
position in the state or Ia the navy
department to try to prescribe at this
distance from the scene what mum Der
of sailors and marines shall be en-
pioyed In Nicaragua or how forces
shat be disposed.
Rear Admiral Switzerland will take
command of the entire combined force
OF blue jackets and marines upon his
arrival III About week at Corinto ou
hts flagship California. He has the
confidence 81 the state department.
based on the splenda manner in
Wien he has handled other similar
situations.
Den, Protection il Warfare.
The officials do not admit that the
prevention OF the bon1ba rdment of ar
unprotected town filed with non
combatalts, with many resident
Americans and with substantial bust
ness interests within its limits. con
stitutes warfare in the modern sense.
n the conflicting political parties IN
Nicaragua desire to fight. the .Amcri-
can naval commanders will no. attempt
TO prevent them provided they choose
other grounds than the limits OF a
defenseless town with large American
interests
There is a well grounded belief here
that the liberals. who have joined
General Mena. the conservative eN-
secretary of war In his revolt against
the conservative DiaZ government, are
In a numerical majority at this time
In Nicaragua. II that be the case.
the United states authorities, It Is de-
clared, will make no objection to
their assuming control of the govern
nlent but, Just az Is the case OF PAN
anna, will not permit IA military die
tatorship.
II Is declared that the ntNt presi-
dent OF Nicaragua must be man
chosen by majority Of the people of
that country. in free and fair bal
lot and that no arbitrary seizure OF
the reins OF power by AN individual
Will be tolerated.
The state department views with
great satisfaction the dissension which
has broken out in the rebel quarters
over the provisional presidency. The
officials hope that this will keep up
until the arrival Of the American re-
Inducements. Where there is trouble
among the rebel leaders. II is argued,
which. possibly might result in each
dividing and taking his own follow
ing. there Is not so much TO fear from
q combined attack Should the lead
ers divide the rebel forces. the sit
nation could be more easily handled
Marines Sail Tomorrow.
PHILADELPHIA, August 23.-The
cruiser Prairie. which will carry
marines to Colon, from where they
will proceed to Nicaragua. arrived at
the Philadelphia maynard today from
Portsmouth The work OF coaline
the ship and the placing of stores
on board was at once begun.
The regiment OF marines which will
sail on the Prairie, probably will go
on board tonight. as the cruiser Is
under orders to sail tomorrow morn
ing.