The San Francisco call., 1913-07-20
Secretary Bryan Proposes
New Policy to the Senate
Committee for Republic OF
Central Arnerica-Policy
of Administration Is to
Extend Jurisdiction Over
Nations Bordering Canal
"CUBAN POLICY" OF
PLATT IS EXTENDED
Uncle Sam to Lay Down
Lines for Latin Republic
Which Must Be Observed
Financial Matters to Be
Adjusted by Men of Ma
ton to the North-Control
of Big Canals Is Assured

WASHINGTON, July ia new
policy toward Nicaragua. involving
virtual control of the affairs of that
republic by the United States, similar
TO that now exercised over Cuba, was
outlined today by Secretary Bryan at
r conference with members OF the SEN
lte foreign relations committee.
Mr.. Bryan's proposal, coming as a
surprise to members of the committee,
has been taken by many senators as
the first pronouncement of a general
policy on the part of the administra-
ton to extend American control over
the countries surrounding the Panama
canal, and to assure the stability of
Central American republics and the
domination by the United States of
their relations with other great powers.
Secretary Bryan went before the
committee with a revised draft OF the
Nfcaraguan 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 3d.
100000 gold payment.
As new feature the secretary OF
state proposed that language similar
If not identical with the SO called
"Platt amendment relating to Cuba be
injected. giving the United States
sweeping control of Nicaraguan affairs
and the power to regulate her foreign
relations and her finances Under the
proposed plan Nicaragua would agree
In substance:
That war would not be declared
without the consent of the United
States
That treaties would not be made
with foreign governments that would
tend to destroy her indepnednce, or
that would give those governments a
foothold in the republic.
That no public debt would 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
10 protect life or property
That the United States should have
the exclusive right to build canal
across Nicaragua and should have a 90
year lease to a naval base in the bay
of Fonseca and to the Great Corn and
Little Corn islands in the Caribbean,
with the privilege of renewing the
lease. The United States in return
would pay Nicaragua $3,O00.o0o to be
used in public works and education.
It is understood the Nicaraguan gov
eminent is willing to enter into the
proposed treaty. because Of the stabil-
ity it would give to the present Diaz
government.
In It's original form the Nicaraguan
treaty involved only the exclusive grant
OF canal rights and the grant of a
naval base to the United States.
The Nicaraguan canal route would
come permanently under the control
of the United States, through the pro-
posed treaty. While that route was de-
cided against. and the Panama route
chosen for the building OF the American
canal, administration officials favor the
permanent acquisition Of the discarded
route to prevent its use by some other