The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-07-20
Virtual Control of Affairs
by the United States
Involved
PROPOSAL COMES AS
COMPLETE SURPRISE
Secretary of State Goes Before Com
mittee With Revised Draft of the
Proposed Treaty-Important
Department

Washington, July ia new policy
toward Nicaragua, involving the vir-
tual control of the affairs of that
republic by the United States through
protectorate similar to that exer-
cised over Cuba, was outlined today by
Secretary Bryan, at private confer
ence with members of the Senate for
eign relations committee.
MIR. Bryan's proposal, coming as a
complete surprise to most of the men,
bers of the committee, has been taken
by many senators as the first pro-
nouncement of general policy on
the part of the administration to ex-
tend American control over the coun-
tries surrounding the Panama canal,
and to assure the stability of Cen
trail American republics and the
domination by the United States of
their relations with other powers.
Secretary Bryan went before a commit
tee with revised draft OF the proposed
Niearaguan treaty. negotiated first in the
Taft administration, by which the United
States would secure exclusive canal rights
across Nicaragua and a new naval base,
in exchange for a $3.0O0,0oO gold pay
ment
New Feature of Treaty
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 in the treaty, giving
the United States sweeping control of
Nicaraguan affairs. and the power to reg
ulate her foreign relations and her fl
nances.
Under the proposed plan. Nicaragua
would agree in substance:
That war should not be declared with
out the consent the United States.
That no treaties would be made with
foreign governments thar would tepd to
destroy her independence, or that t'ouid
give those. governments footholi in the
republic.
That no public debt would be contract
ed 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 90 year lease
to naval base in the Bay of Fonseca,
and to the Great Corn and Little Corn
islands In the Caribbean, with the privi-
lege OF renewing the lease.
The United States In return would pay
Nicaragua $3,00O000 to be used in public
works and education.
Nicaragua Willing
1t is understood the Nicaraguan govern
ment is willing to enter into the proposed
treaty, because of the stability it would
give TO the present Diaz government, and
to the proposed reorganization of the fiscal
affairs of the republic. IT is understood
a refunding of the Nicarguan debt. for
which about $l5.O00,00O is required, does not
form a specific part of the negotiations
laid today before the Senate committee.
Mr. Bryan and members of the commit
tee refused to discuss the nature of the
conference further than to say that II
took in the whole scope of Nicaraguan at-
fairs. The striking plan suggested by the
Secretary of State became the subject OF
informal discussion among members OF
the committee during the afternoon, and
IL Is DelleNeu lte pIDpOsdl VIII Ililh HihcH
support from both democrats and repuo-
licans.
Members of the Senate tonight professed
to believe that should the step be taken
in respect to Nicaragua extending Ameri-
can influence over it's affairs to the extent
suggested, It would be followed by efforts
to negotiate similar treaties with all of the
republics in Central America. Many sem
ators strongly favor such course. con-
tending 1t is necessary to the permanent
safety and control of the Panama canal
In It's original form the Niearguan
treaty involved only the exclusive grant
of canal rights and the grant of a naval
base to the United States. Members of the
foreign relations committee were not pre-
pared for the further suggestion made by
the Secretary of State today. After
meeting lasting more than an hour, the
conference was continued until next Sat-
urday.