The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1912-08-28

Washington, Aug. 22.-The State
department is determined to extend
the fullest possible measure of pro-
lection to American life and property
In Nicaragua. 1t was announced to-
day that if the naval forces now in
that country, even when heavily re-
inforced by the large marine conting-
ent now being assembled at League
Island, and the several hundred blue
jackets en- route to Corinto, are not
sufficient to assure that protection, ad-
ditional forces will be rushed forward.
Utterances in Congress have not
moved the department 1t is relying
implicitly and confidently upon the
long line of precedents, where Ameri-
can military and naval forces have
been employed without Congressional
direction in case where American life
and property were in jeopardy. Of
ficials declare that this is the sole
purpose of the landing Of the fighting
force in Nicaragua. 1t has not been
found necessary to send any special
instructions to American Minister
Weitzel or to Capt. Terhune, Of the
gunboat Annapolis.
When the reinforcements, which
will be en- route to Nicaragua before
the end Of this week, have arrived at
their destination, the navy will have
ashore in that country the most nu-
merous force it ever has landed in an
American Republic in time Of peace.
Admiral Sutherland, who will COM
mand the combined force upon his
arrival at Corinto on his flagship Cali
fornia, has the unlimited confidence
of the State department based upon
the manner in which he handled the
revolutionary uprising in Santo Do
mingo about five years ago.
Government officials do not admit
that the prevention Of the. lombard
ment of an unprotected town filled
with non-combatants, with many
resident Americans and with substan-
tial business interests within its Inn
it's, constitutes warfare in the mod
ern civilized sense. If the conflicting
factions wish TO fight the American
navy commanders will not attempt
to prevent them, but they must choose
other grounds than the limits of a
defenceless town with large American
interests.
There is a we'll grounded suspicion
that the Liberals, who have Joined
Gen. Mena, the conservative former
secretary of war, in his revolt against
the Conservative Diaz Government.
are in the majority at this time. If
that be the case the United States au-
thorities would make no objetcion to
their assuming control of the Govern
ment. but it is declared that, just as
in the case of Panama. no military
dictatorship will! be permitted and the
Aext president of Nicaragua must be
a man chosen by majority of the
people by free and fair ballot.
The marines now being assembled
at Philadelphia for transportation on
the Prairie to Colon, are being
drawn from the navy yards at Boston.
New York, Philadelphia, Washing
ton, Norfolk and Charleston, S. c.,
and will sail from League Island
Saturday night.
The reported killing of the two
Americans, Dodd and Philips, i'm Mica
ragua, is being thoroughly investi-
gated. Dodd, the Mississipian who
was slain, was well known to Repre-
sentative Sisson, Of Mississippi, who
said tonight that both Dodd and his
father were lawyers in his Congress
ional district.
The situation in Nicaragua is Sc
rious and critical" said Representa-
tive Sulzer chairman of the House
foreign affairs committee tonight
The massacre in Nicaragua of
Americans and native citizens is one
of the greatest tragedies in Central
American history. l am in commu-
nication with the State department
and know that everything is being
done by this Government to protect
life and property there"