Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-08-23
SEND LARGER FORCE
More Troops Will Go to Mica
ragua If Necessary.
STATE Department FIRM
Determined to Protect American
Life and Property.
REBEL DIsSENs1ON WELCOMED
Regarded as Lessening Of Danger
From Combined Attack-Ma-
rines Sail Tomorrow.
STATE DEPARTMENT FIRM
REBEL DISSENSION WELCOMED

The armored cruiser California speeding
for Panama, has been ordered TO put IL
at Corinto and land $40 bluejackets ano
her full detachment Of sixty marines
After this the vessel will steam immedi
ately for Panama to take on marines
which leave Philadelphia tomorrow on the
transport Prairie The California prob
ably will arrive at Corinto Wednesday.
1t is authoritatively declared that the
ADMINISTRATION is determined to extend
the fullest possible measure Of protection
to American life and property In Mica
ragua. and if the naval forces now in that
country, even when heavily reinforced by
the large marine contingent now rapidly
being assembled at Philadelphia and the
several hundred bluejackets en- route to
Cortnto on the California and the Denver.
are not sufficient to assure that protec-
ton. then more forces will be rushed for
ward until that end has been attained.
The State Department Is unmoved by
the criticisms Of Senator Bacon. and re-
lies on a long line Of precedents where
American military and naval forces have
been employed without congressional d.
rection in cases where American life and
property were in jeopardy. The officials
declare that that is the sole purpose OF
the landing Of the marines and blue
jackets in Nicaragua.
Largest Peace Force.
When the achievements en- route tc
Nicaragua have arrived at their destina.
ton the navy will have ashore in tina,
country the most numerous force it has
ever landed In an American republic, ex.
cept in time of war.
1t is said at the State Department
that further increases OF this force
will be made promptly on the repre-
sensations of the American minister OF
the senior naval commander in Mica
raguan waters. There is no dispOsi-
ton in the State or in the Navy De-
partment to try to prescribe at this
distance from the scene what number
Of sailors and marines shall be en-
ployed in Nicaragua or how forces
shall be disposed.
Rear Admiral Switzerland will take
command OF the entire combined force
Of bluejackets and marines upon his
arrival in about week at Corinto on
his flagship California. He has the
based on the splendid manner in
which he has handled other similar
situations.
Deny Protection Is Warfare.
The officials do not admit that the pre-
vention Of the bombardment Of an unpro
tected town filled with non-oombatants,
with many resident Americans and witt
substantial business interests within it,
limits, constitutes warfare in the modern
sense. If the conflicting political parties
in Nicaragua desire to fight, the American
naval commanders will not attempt tc
prevent them provided they choose other
grounds than the limits Of a defenseless
town with large American interests.
There is a we'll grounded belief here
that the liberals, who have joined Gen.
Mena, the conservative ex-secretary OF
war in his revolt against the conserva-
tive Diaz government, are in g. numerical
majority at this time in Nicaragua II
that be the case, the United States au-
thorities, it is declared, will make no OBJ.
lection to their ssuming control of the
government. but, just as Is the case OF
Panama, will not permit military die
tatorship.
President Must Be Elected.
1t is declared that the next president
Of Nicaragua must be a man chosen by
a majority of the people of that country
in a free and fair ballot and that no arbi.
trary seizure of the reins of power by ar
individual will be tolerated.
The State Department views with great
satisfaction the dissenson 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 reinforcements. Where
there is trouble among the rebel leaders
it is argued. which, possibly. might re-
suit in each dividing and taking his own
following, there is not so much to fear
from a combined attack. Should the
leaders divide the rebel forces. the situa-
ton could be more easily handled.