The Washington herald., 1913-07-20
BRYAN PLANS
HELPING HAND

Hill uVu HhlVD
CONTINUED FROM PAGE ONE.
failed of -"ti-Ication in the Senate. The
adoption Of the Bryan-Wilson plan is ex-
tremely likely, however. as 1t contains
nom of the provisions for linking the
United States government to American
bankers. which many Senators found OBJ
1ectionab.e. The new plan does not con-
tain the slightest suggestion Of the pos
sibility of the enrichment of any particu-
lar corporation, or of the exploitation
OF the resources of Nicaragua Nor does
1t place the slightest restrictions upon
the administrative independence Of the
Southern republic.
The new administration copsiders tbj.
proposal as the most simple effective,
and safest means of extending to Mica.
ragua the helping hand which the re-
public sorely needs and which President
Wilson, in the first days of his admin
istration, announced that he would al
ways be glad to give to Central Ameri-
can neighbors.
The Bryan plan is nothing less than
the guarantee to Nicaragua, just as in
the case of Cuba for a decade, that the
United States government will on all &C.
casions uphold the hand of good gov
eminent in that country, preserve its in
dependence and territorial integrity. Mic
aragua at the same time gives her word
not to saddle upon herself the national
obligations which she is unable to meet
without straining the resources of the
government.
Not only has the proposal been adopted
as Democratic principle and policy. and
declared free from those features of
other plans of Similar tendencies which
have been deemed Objectionable, but II
is expected that it will meet with the
unqualified approval of the Republicans.
1t is believed that Mr.. Bryan has found
the one best way of aiding the struggling
maintain itself in peace with its neigh
bors, and in freedom from revolutionary
In presenting his proposals frankly to
the Senate committee. in order that they
might be advised at the earliest possible
moment OF the views and plans of the
: administration. Mr.. Bryan went at
length into the present condition in which
the government and people of Nicaragua
find themselves. These conditions We're
fully set forth 10 Mr.. Bryan by former
SdSliIilo anu ohSScSeoAs "eh.
Chamorro, and Minister of Finance
Cuadra. who has been IN Washington for
several weeks N special mission 20 The
United States. In addition, Mr.. Bryan
consulted with George T. Weitzel. uati;
recently United States Minister to Mica
aqua. the man who negotiated the pend
ing treaty, and with number of Ameri-
rans and Latin-Americans who are IA
miliar with the conditions in and needs Of
Zclnya Drained Country.
Mr.. Bryan informed the Senators that
The government of Nicaragua is III a nIpst
precarious state, and ina prompt meas
Ires are necessary If it is to be preserved.
He reviewed the fact that only three
years ago Nicaragua was freed from the
tyrannical rule of ZelayI. who left the
drained dry of all its resources.
The great need of the government now
5 money. Owing to the failure of the
oan convention. they have been strug
Cling along on a hand-to-mouth basis,
hough they are enjoying the advantages
If a reformed custom service and a re-
ormed currency, given them through the
of the United States.
Through the fear that the revolutionist
element. in the belief that the Wilson
administration will stand for it, will
make another attempt to capture Mic
,ragua the bankers who have been
Nicaragua are unwilling to lend
more money until the attitude of Wash !
ngton is made clear. 1t is expected that
he bare announcement of the proposals |
avored by the Wilson administration will |
20 far toward Strengthening the position |
# the DiaZ government in Nicaragua
md restoring her credit Nicaragua is |
one of the richest countries of |
he Western Hemisphere. but through |
epeated plunderings of dictators and re-
,eated revolutions. so-ca.led, her re- |
ources have been drained. her agricul- |
ural and mineral wealth undeveloped, |
md today the country has fewer inhab- |
tants than fifty years ago. Americans !
listing Nicaragua have declared that the !
ondition of the people. combined with |
knowledge as to the reasons for il, is |
nough to make any citizen of theunited |
states feel a great pity and a strong I
esire to do anything possible to i'm
rove their situation
The effect of the Platt amendment. ir-
.orporated into a treaty, upon conditions
n Cuba. has.been such as to redourd
o the credit of the United States, to TIE
of business interests in CT
"a, and to the qualification of. all tte
and law-abiding people of
he republic. Though the Platt amend
nent gives the United States the right
u intervene in Cuba, its effect has been
eally to enable the United States 20
;eep from intervening in Cuba. That Is,
hroush the relations defined by the Platt
amendment, the United States has been
n position to exercise an influence 20
revent arising a situation which would
all for intervention. Had the Plat
mendment provisions been in force b.
ween the United States and Nicaragua
ist summer. the subsequent necessity ~
ending American marines and bluejack-
is into Nicar aqua by the hundred
Tould have been avoided. Whenever dis
rd.r is threatened In Cuba. note firm
he United States, delivered as soon az
he situation appears threatening. has iE
ecent years been sufficient to calm things