The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-07-22

stable conditions In Mexico. and that
II II were possible to frame such Z
treaty with Mexico It would be great
accomplishment.
The proposed treaty will be aftached
I'm seme quarters en- The ground gthst
~ would put d moral Obligation on
the United States To see that Mica
ragua refunds and repays her old
debts, even though the treaty does not
make this country directly response
Die for them. 4
Has Presidents Approval.
The president IL in thorough ac-
cord with the Nicaraguan policy AZ
laid down by Secretary Bryan in his
presentation OF the proposition be-
fore the senate committee on foreign
relations. The proposition for a pro-
tectorate over Nicaragua, such as ex-
lists In Cuba. Including the applica-
ton to Nicaragua of the Plat amend
ment. the president does not regard
as establishing general policy. Its
application to Nicaragua. as ne has
indicated. Is suggestion arising in
connection with discussion Of nego-
tiations for the assumption by the
United States of the rights to con-
struct canal through Nicaragua ter
ritory.
The plan Is acceptable to the Mica
raguan negotiants, he has made
clear, or 1t would not have been set
forth as part of the projected treaty.
The suggestion. while possibly ema-
mating from the representatives OF the
United States, was concurred in and
perfectly agreeable to the Nicaraguan
representatives, and consequently in
corporated in the plan.
The plan is still in the formative
he
The matter was submitted by Sec
rotary Bryan to the senate committee
on foreign affairs for it's considera-
ton, for exchange of ideas and appro-
val or disapproval before proceeding
further.
The object OF this administration,
according to the presidents purposes,
is TO afford a friendly assistance to
the Central American republic with
out hint of the possibility of selfish
motives. While the United States
would probably be under an imme-
date suspicion of Interior motives, It
could trust to the development of
time to justify It's course and prove
its light purpose.
Aims to Avert Suspicion.
/ That the other Central American
nations would not necessarily be ask ed
| to subscribe to similar agreements
was made plain. The president has
intimated that the plan of the admin
istration would be to offer it's friendly
offices in a way freest of suspicion.
dealing with each individual case as
1t presented itself He knows moth
ing of Salvador and Honduras having
| been approached with suggestions Of
similar arrangement by the state de-
partment.
Now that Secretary Bryan's pro-
posal for a virtual protectorate over
Nicaragua has become public, state
department officials are expecting in
quiries from the European powers re-
specting its details. Most of the diplo-
matte representatives of the powers
are absent from Washington. at the
summer embassies and legations in
the North; consequently no views
from that quarter are available.
The suggestion, however, that the
plan be extended to cover all the ter
ritory near the Panama canal zone
has aroused the keenest interest in
the Latin American circles, with some
hints of opposition. Salvador recently
made some objections to the Mica
raguan treaty In its original form and
Costa RIGA more recently objected to
certain provisions relating to the pro-
posed canal route: but the latter were
based solely upon a claim for con-
sideration in connection with the use
of the San Juan river which Costa
Rica claims as her territory.
Where Europe's Interest Lie.
Europe's interest, however, is chief
! ly the Investments of her citizens In
enterprises and securities Of Latin
America. An association representing
those interests has recently been sup
ported by the British French and
German governments, and very re-
Gently Great Britain made naval
demonstration against Guatemala to
force payment of interest on bonds.
The object of European representa-
tons will be to see that provision for
guaranteeing such obligations is made
in any treaties such as that proposed
with Nicaragua.
SECRETARY Bryan will confer again
on the project with the senate foreign
relations committee next Saturday.
Assistant Secretary Oshorne's re-
cent visit to Santo Domingo and Haiti
has brought up the suggestion that the
system of American supervision Of
customs collections which has been
In force for some time in Santo Do
mingo might be extended to Haiti IL
that republic is responsive to over
lures.