The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1912-09-18
UNITED STATES
OUTLINES POLICY
IN NICARAGUA


have applied for protection. Some two
dozen American firms doing business in
that country have applied for protection.
The American bankers who have made
| investments in relation TO railroads and
| steamships in Nicaragua. in connection
with a plan for the relief of the finan-
ciaI distress of that country. have ap-
liens now in the service of the govern
ment OF Nicaragua and the legation IT.
self have been placed in actual jeopardy
under fire.
Americans Slain.
Two wounded American citizens are
| reported to have been ruthlessly slaugh-
| tered. Besides the Emery claim due
American citizens and the indemnity for
the killing OF Groce and Cannon in the
Zelaya war, there are various American
claims and concessionary interests. I'm
der the Washington convention the Unit
ed States has a moral mandate TO exert
it's influence for the preservation of the
general peace Of Central America, which
Is seriously menaced by the present up
rising. and to this end in the strict en-
forcement of the Washington conven-
ton and loyal support of their aims and
purposes all the Central American Re-
publics will find means Of valuable CO.
operation. These are among the inpor-
tant moral. political, and material in
terests to be protected.
when the American Minister called
upon the government OF Nicaragua to
protect American life and property, the
Minister for Foreign Affairs replied that
the government troops must be used 10
put down the rebellion. adding: In
consequence, my government desires
that the government of the United States
guarantee with its forces security for
the property OF American citizens in
Nicaragua, and that they extend this
protection to all the inhabitants of the
Republic
In this situation the policy OF the gov
eminent of the United States will be to
protect the life and property of its citi-
zens in the manner indicated. and. mean
while, to contribute its influence in all
appropriate ways to the restoration of
lawful and orderly government in order
that Nicaragua may resume its pro-
gramme of reforms. unhampered by the
vicious elements who would restore the
methods OF Zelaya.
Violated Promises.
The revolt of Gen. Mena in fragrant
violation OF his solemn promises to his
own government and to the American
Minister, and Of the Dawson agreement.
by which he was solemnly bound. and
his attempt to overturn the government
of his country for purely selfish pur-
poses and without even the pretense of
contending for a principle, make the
present rebellion in origin the most in
eXcusable in the annals of Central Amer
lea. The nature and methods of the
present disturbances, indeed, place them
in the category OF anarchy rather than
ordinary revolution. The reported char
acter of those who promptly Joined Mena,
together with his uncivilized and savage
action in breaking armistices, maltreat-
ing messengers, violating his word of
honor, torturing peaceable citizens to
exact contributions, and, above all, in,
the ruthless bombardment OF the city of
Managua, with the deliberate destruction
OF innocent life and property and the
killing of women and children and the
sick in hospitals, and the cruel and bar
barous slaughter of hundreds reported at
Leon, give to the Mena revolt the attrib-
utes of the abhorrent and intelerable
Zelaya regime.
HUNTINGTON WILSON"
The Washington authorities expect TO
hear by to-day that American marines
and blueJacket have at last reached
Granada, the Mena stronghold. at the
terminus of the railroad, thirty miles
from Managua, the capital. Maj.
Smedley Butler and battalion of ma
rtnes left Managua two days ago for
Granada. and even IL the rebels have
destroyed the railroad, will undoubtedly
have reached the city before tomorrow,
even IL they were obliged to walk the
entire distance.
Admiral Switzerland. commander-in-
chief of the Pacific feet and of the |
American forces in Nicaragua, went to
Managua from Corinto yesterday to dis
cuss the situation with Minister weitzel. |
The State Department is Informed from |
Bluefelds. on the east coast Of Nicara- |
qua, that the reports of the American
from the gunboat Tacoma |
can be disregarded. 1t Is stated that a |
drunken naturalized citizen Of the United |
States fired the only shot, doing no dam |
age or injuring any one. Order was |
promptly restored. Szlt>-s