The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1913-07-24
NICARAGUA TREATY
PLAN CONSIDERED
is ABSORBING TOPIC OF CONVEX.
SATloN IN OFFICIAL WASH
INGTON SINCE SATURDAY.
PRESIDENTS HAND Is SEEN
Belief Is That Eryan's Idea of Pro-
tectorate is Administration Poll
cy-Pian Is Outlined-Desired
by the Banana Republics.

Washington, July %. - Secretary
Bryan's plan for the extension of the
protecting wing of the United States
over Nicaragua preached to the for
eign relations committee of the SEN
ate Saturday with the approval of
President Wilson, has become the abb
sorbing topic of diplomatic n con-
gressicnal consideration.
While Official utterances have not
given the purpose of the administers
ton toward Central America, members
OF the senate evince a growing convic-
ton that the principle to be applied to
Nicaragua is that the Wilson adj
ministration would be glad to see ex-
tended to the ether Central American
republics.
Will Not Discuss Plan.
Members of the foreign relations
committee who were present when
Secretary Bryan unfolded his plan
Saturday, continue to assert they. can
not discuss the new developments.
The original N~icaraguan treaty has
been the subject of open discussion
among senators. This compact did
not go further, however, than to guar
antee the United States exclusive ca
nal rights, and a naval base site in
exchange for a paymen. of SO, O0O,O 900
IN gold. The latter project, to ex-
tend a virtual protectoiate over Mic
aragua, has assumed tbs character of
an international policy which members
OF the senate are discus sing 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
mfttee will take a general attitude of
opposition toward the Bryan-Wilson
plan; while Senators O'Gorman, Bur-
ton and several others are known to
favor many of it's 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 ~esource by the United
States, so that it could secure loans
to refund its pressing debt, has been
known for some time ard met the op-
position of the senate foreign rela-
tons committee when il 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 Nicaragua's independence,
would ri p nfan The aoAfvoI ~, 49,
United States of that cnuntry'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.
1t is understood, however, that the
only agreement on the Question of the
international finances IF Nicaragua
be embraced in that part of the
treaty by which Nicaragua would bind
itself not to assume or contract n
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
eign aid for necessary public develop.
The only specific payment to be
by the United States is the 49,
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
sea.
The Plat Amendment.
The Platt amendment under which
the United States became the virtual
protector of Cuba, adopted in 1901. re-
much Democratic support. Mr..
Bryan proposes to incorporate almost
without change the general language
Of this provision in the Nicaraguan
treaty. Many Democratic senators de.
clare that the policy proposed would
but a strong announcement of the
attitude already announced by Presi.
lent Wilson as to the maintenance of
Independence and stability of govern
nent in the American republics.
Chinese Province Sereds,