The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1913-07-23

Washington, July ia new pol
icy toward Nicaragua, involving the
virtual control of the affairs of that
Republic by the United States through
a protectorate similar to that exer-
cised over Cuba, was outlined today
by Secretary Bryan at a private con.
ference with members of the senate
foreign relations committee.
Mr.. Bryan's proposal, coming as n
complete surprise to most of the
members Of the committee, has been
taken by many senators as the first
pronouncement of a general policy
on the part of the administration to
extend American control over the
countries surrounding the Panama
Canal and to assure that stability of
Central American republics and the
domination by the United States of
their relations with other great pow
ers
Secretary Bryan went before
committee with a revised draft of the
PROPOSED Nicaraguan treaty, negotiat-
ed first in the Taft administration, by
which the United States would Sc
Nicaragua and a new nsvaI base, in
exchange for $4,000, 600 gold pay
ment.
AS a new feature of the treaty
however, the Secretary of State pro-
posed that language similar, if not
identical, with the so-called PLAT
/ amendment" relating to Cuba, be in
jected in the treaty, giving the United
States sweeping control of Nicaraguan
affairs and the power to regulate her
foreign relations and her finances
Under the proposed plan Nicara-
qua would agree in substance:
That war should not be declared
without the consent of the United
States.
That no treaties would be made
with foreign governments that would
tend to destroy her independence or
that would give those governments a
foothold in the republic.
That no public debt should 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. with the privilege of renewing
the lease.
The United States in return would
pay Nicaragua s3.OOO,OOO, to be used
in public works and education.
1t is understood the Nicaraguan
government 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. 1t is understood a re-
funding of the Nicaraguan debt, for
which $15,O0O,OOO is required, does
not form a specific part of the nego-
tiations laid today before the senate
committee.
Mr.. Bryan and members of the
committe refused to discuss the ma
ture of the conference further than
to say that it took in the whole scope
of Nicaraguan affairs. The striking
plan suggested by the Secretary of
State became the subject of informal
discussion among members of the
committee during the afternoon. and
it is believed the proposal will find
much support from both Democrats
and Republicans
Members of the senate tonight pro
fessed to believe that should the step
be taken in respect to Nicaragua. ex-
tending American influence over its
affairs to the extent suggested. il
would he followed by efforts to nego-
tiate similar treaties with all of the
republics in Central America Many
senators strongly favor such course,
contcnding it is necessary to the per
mancnt safety and control of the Pan
anna Canal.
In ts original form the Nicara-
guam treaty involved only the cX-
elusive grant OF canal rights and the
grant Of n naval base To the United /
states. Members of the foreign rcla-
tions committee were not prepared for
further suggestion made by the Sec
rptarN of state today. After a meet