The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1913-07-25
NICARAGUA TREATY
PLAN CONSIDERED
IS ABSORBING TOPIC OF CONVEX
SATlON IN OFFICIAL WASH
INGTON SINCE SATURDAY.
PRESIDENTS HAND IS SEEN
Belief is That Bryan's Idea of Pro-
tectorate Is Administration Poll
cy-Plan Is Outiined-Desired
by the Banana Republics.

Washington, July %. = Secretary
Bryan's plan for the extension OF the
protecting wing o. the United States
over Nicaragua preached to the for
eign relations committee OF the sem
ate Saturday with the approval OF
President Wilson, has become the alb
sorbing topic OF diplomatic and con-
gressional consideration.
While official u%tterances have not
given the purpose OF the administers
ton toward Central America, members
of the senate eVince a growing couvic-
lion that the principle to be applied to
Nicaragua is II that the Wilson add
ministration would be glad 10 see eX-
tended to the other Central American
republics.
Will Not Discuss Plan.
Members OF the foreign relations
committee who We're present when
Secretary Bryan unfolded his plan
Saturday, continue to assert they can
not discuss the new developments.
The original Nicaraguan treaty has
been the subject Of open discussion
among senator's. This compact did
not go further, however, thar TO guar
antee the United States exclusive ca
nal rights, and a naval base site in
exchange for a payment OF S. 00 ,000
II gold. The latter project, to tx
tend a virtual protectorate owe NiG
aragua, has assumed the character of
an international policy which members
Of the senate are discussing with en-
phatic expressions of opinion. 1t is
believed that Senators Bacon, Clarke
of Arkansas and some other influential
members of the foreign relations com
mittee will take a general attitude of
opposition toWard the Bryan-Wilson
plan; while Senators O'Gorman, Bur
favor many of its essential points.
No Guarantee Of Debts.
Mr.. Bryan has not proposed. it is
understood, that the United States
shall assume or guarantee the debts
of the republic Of Nicaragua. The de-
sire Of Nicaragua for control of it's
customs resources by the United
oidiC ~ lHlt II COulu StCIIt# lOdIl9
to refund its pressing debt, has been
known Tor some time and met the OPP
position of the senate foreign rela-
ions committee when it came before
that body in the form of a definite
treaty agreement.
Mr.. Bryan's plan calls for a definite
statement Of policy that would guar.
antee N~lcaragua's Independence,
would guarantee the control by the
United States Of that country's deal.
ings with foreign nations, and would
put into definite terms the recognized
principles of the Monroe doctrine, pro-
hibiting foreign nations from securing
a foothold on the American continent.
To Watch Debts.
It is understood, however. that the
only agreement on the question OF the
international finances of Nicaragua
would be embraced in that part of the
treaty by which Nicaragua would bind
not to assume or contract anv
public debt in the discharge OF
which the ordinary revenues Of the
nation, after defraying expenses of the
shall be Inadequate
Under this guarantee of financial
stability, it is believed, Nicaragua
would find it possible speedily to re-
wise her fiscal system, and secure for.
elgn aid for necessary public develop.
The only specific payment to be
made by the United States is the So
100000 in gold to be paid for exclusive
canal rights over the N%icaraguan
route, and the naval bases in the bay
Of Fonseca and on the Great Corn and
Corn islands in the Caribbean
The Plat Amendment.
The Platt amendment under which
the United States became the virtual
protector of Cuba, adopted in 1901. re-
much Democratic Mr..
Bryan proposes to incorporate almost
without change the general language
Of this provision in the Nicaraguan
-reaty. Many Democratic senators de.
clare that the policy proposed would
but a strong pronouncement OF the
already announced by Presi.
lent Wilson as to the maintenance OF
Independence and stability Of govern
nent in the American republics.