Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1913-07-23
j. s. PROTECTORATE
FOR NICARAGUA
Bryan Proposes Same Control as
Covers Cuba.
is PUT UP TO THE SENATE
Plan Indicates Policy of Washington
Toward Central American Repub-
Ics-HeIping Hand Extend
ed to Neiohbors.

Washington, July 21.-A new Ameri-
can policy toward Nicaragua, involv-
ing virtual control of the affairs of
that republic by the United States
through a trust protectorate similar
to that exercised over Cuba, was out
lined by Secretary Bryan, at private
conference with members Of the SEN
ate foreign relations committee.
At the same conference Mr.. Bryan
urged renewal of arbitration treaties
with France, Great Britain and other
countries.
ReVises Nicaraguan Treaty.
The secretary of state went before
the committee with a revised draft
of the proposed Nicaraguan treaty,
negotiated first in the Taft admin
istration, by which the United States
would obtain exclusive canal rights
across Nicaragua and a new naval
base in exchange for $3,000,0 900 gold
payment.
AS new feature of the treaty, how
ever, the secretary of state proposed
that language similar if not identical
with the so-called "Platt amendment
relating to Cuba be injected into the
treaty, giving the United States sweep
ing control of Nicaragua's affairs and
the power to regulate it's foreign rela-
tions and it's finances.
Terms Offered Nicaragua.
Under the proposed plan Nicaragua
would agree in substance:
That war should not be declared
without the consent of the United
| States.
That no treaties should be made
tend to destroy its independence or
! that would give those governments
foothold in the republic.
That no public debt would be con-
tracted beyond the ordinary resources
of the government, as indicated by
the ordinary revenues.
That the United States should have
the right to intervene at any time to
preserve Nicaraguan independence or
to protect life or property.
That the United States should have
the exclusive right to build a canal
across Nicaragua, and should have a
! 99-year lease to a naval base in the
bay of Fonseca and to the Great Corn
and Little Corn islands in the Carib-
bean sea, with the privilege of re-
newing the lease. The United States
in return would pay Nicaragua $3,O00,-
900 to be used in public works and
education.
Nicaragua FaVors UIan,
1t is understood the Nicaraguan gov
eminent is willing to enter into the
proposed treaty, because of the sta
bility it would give to the present Diaz
government and to the proposed re-
organization of the fiscal affairs of
the republic. 1t is understood also
refunding of the Nicaraguan debt, for
which about $15,000,000 is required,
does not form specific part Of the
negotiations laid before the senate
committee
Members of the senate professed to
believe that if the proposed step is
taken as to Nicaragua, it would be
followed by efforts to negotiate similar
treaties with all the republics in Cen
trail America Many senators strongly
favored such a course, holding 1t
necessary to the permanent safety and
control of the Panama canal.
Renewals we're delayed some time
ago on objection of Senator Chamber
lain to the treaty with Great Britain.
He feared the United States might
have to arbitrate the Panama canal
tolls dispute.