New-York tribune., 1913-07-21
.BRYAN'S N|CARAGUAN
PLAN ST|RS SENATORS
Wide Differences of Opinion as
to Extending u. S. ProteC-
tion to the Republic.
PART OF GENERAL POLICY
Many Believe Wilson Admins
tration Would Like to Apply
Scheme to All Central
American Republics.

American Republics.
Washington, July 0.-Secretary Bryan's
plan for the extension of the protecting
wing of the United States over Near
aqua. broached to the Foreign Relations
Committee OF the Senate yesterday with
the consent and approval Of President
Wilson. has become the absorbing topic
Of diplomatic and Congressional consid-
Grafton While official utteraEces have
not been given Of the purpose of the ad-
ministration TO outline general policy
toward Central America, members Of the
Senate express a growing conviction that
the principle TO be applied to Nicaragua
is one that the Wilson administration
would be glad to see extended to the
other Central American republics.
Members of the Foreign Relations Com
mittee who were present when Secretary
Bryan unfolded his plan continued to-day
To assert they could not discuss the new
development The original NicaraSaan
treaty has been the subject of open dis
cussion among Senators This compact
did not go further however. than TO
guarantee the United States exclusive
canal rights. and a naval base site. i'm eX-
change for payment of $4,000 IN gold.
The project To extend vir,ual protec-
torate over Nicaragua has assumed the
character of an international policy,
which members Of the Senate are discuss
ing with emphatic expressions Of opinion.
II is believed that Senators Bacon, Clarke,
of Arkansas: Borah and some other influ-
ential members OF the Foreign Relations
Committee will take a general attitude Of
opposition toward the Bryan-W Wilson plan.
while Senators O'Gorman. Burton and
several others are known to favor many
Of its essential points.
Not TO Guarantee Debts.
Secretary Bryan has not proposed, II Is
understood. that the United States snail
assume or guarantee the debts of the
Republic OF Nicaragua. The desire oi
Nicaragua for a control of its customs
resources by the United States, 50 that II
could secure loans to refund its pressing
debt. has been known for some time. and
met the opposition Of the Senate Foreign
Relations Committee when IT came before
that body I'm the form Of definite treaty
agreement
Secretary Bryan's plan calls for den
mite statement Of policy that would guar
antee Nicaragua's independence. would
guarantee the control by the United
States Of that country's dealings with for
oign nations. and would put into definite
terms the recognized principles Of the
Monroe doctrine. prohibiting foreign ma
tions from securing foothold on the
American continent
II is understood that the only agree
ment on the question Of the internal
finances OF Nicaragua would be embraced
In that par,'of the treaty by which Nicar-
aqua would bind herself not 10 assume
or contract any public debt in the dis
charge Of which the ordinary revenues
Of the nation, after defraying expenses OF
the government. shall be INADEQUATE
Could Get Foreign Aid.
Under this guarantee Of financial stabil-
ity. however. il is believed that Nicaragua
would find 1t possible speedily 10 revise
her fiscal system and secure foreign aid
Tor necessary public development The
only specific payment to be made by the
United States is the $3.00O.O0O In gold 10
be paid for perpetual exclusive canal
rights over the Nicaraguan route, and
the naval bases in the Bay OF Fonseca
and on the Great Corn and Little Corn
Islands in the Caribbean Sea.
Nicaragua's finances have been the
cause Of repeated attempts at negotiations
with the United States. After failure Of
the effort TO have this country take
charge Of the custom houses an agree
ment was made by the republic with New
York bankers. under which a loan OF ST.
SOC. 600 was secured and Nicaragua vol
unfairly placed its custom house admin
istration in the hands Of an American
Ex- President Taft was asked 10 recon-
mend a competent administrator, and on
his suggestion w. J. Ham was employed
by Nicaragua under the terms Of the pri-
vate loan agreement.
The Platt amendment. under which the
United states became the virtual protec-
tor OF Cuba. adopted In 1901. received
much Democratic support Secretary
BRYAN proposes To incorporate almost
without change the general language OF
this provision in the 4Sicaraguan treaty
Many Democratic Senators declare that
the policy proposed would be only a
strong announcement Of the attitude al
ready announced by President Wilson as
To- the maintenance Of independence and
stability Of government in the American