The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-07-21
N|cARAGUAN TREATY
FAR REACHING STEP
IN FOREIGN POLICY
Proposal for Protectorate Over
Central American Coun-
try Approved
MARKS BEGINNING
OF GENERAL CONTROL
Believed to be First Step in
Evolution of Policy in Re-
gard to All Spanish
America

America
WASHINGTON, July 2o.-The adj
ministration's proposal to establish by
treaty what amounts to an American
protectorate over Nicaragua. was to-
day generally accepted as the most far
reaching step In the foreign policy Of
the United States since the Spanish
American war As President Wilson's
first piece OF constructive statesman
ship in the realm of foreign affairs.
the proposal laid before the senate
foreign relations committee by Sec
rotary OF State Bryan excited great in
terest. and much approval
The prospects for the success of the
administrations plan seemed bright.
The arrangement with Nicaragua IL
assured OF strong Republican support.
including that of Senators Lodge and
Root in the foreign relations commit
tee. With the enthusiastic support Of
the president and his secretary Of
state, 1t is considered almost certain
that the plan also will receive the ac-
quiescence OF the Democratic MEM
bera
Merely Step in Policy.
While diplomatic and official Wash
fngton were greatly interested in the
immediate effect of the Bryan pro-
posal upon Nicaragua, their attention
was directed chiefly today to the
larger aspect OF the proposed treaty
relations with this Southern republic
The impression was general that MFR.
Bryan's present proposal is merely a
step n the evolution of policy which
inevitably will provide a more sub
stantial and general control by the
United States over Central America
1t Is certain that the acceptance OF
the direct protection of the United
States by the single republic Of
Nicaragua will have a remarkably
calming effect on the revolutionary
movements. and upon political distur-
bance In all the other countries OF
Central America. The certainty Of In
t6rnal peace In this section will 20
far. II 's believed, toward maintaining
the, stability of Honduras and Saliva
dor Nlcaraeua's neighbors on the
north, OF Costa RIGA. on the south,
there Is little cause for anxiety.
WIN Control Gulf.
An important fact in the proposed
Arrangement is that not only will the
peace and progress of Nicaragua be
assured. but by the terms OF the
treaty the United States will be able
70 exercise the upper hand on the
Gulf Of Fonseca- The waters of this
gulf. on which the United States is
coded a naval base. wash the shores
OF Nicaragua. and those Of L1vador
and Honduras. as well. In every
disturbance in and between those
three republics the waters of the
Gulf Of Fonseca have carried many
a revolutionary and Administering ex-
pedition. The domination of the
gulf. which is, by the way. the only
good harbor between San Diego and
South America, will enable the United
States effectively to put an end to such
expeditions in that quarter.
II Is also great stride toward Sc
curing that control OF the Caribbean
by the United States which In most
progressive quarters has long been re-
Rarded as inevitable. and essential.
That the movement will end with
Nicaragua Is not likely. II Is be-
lieved also that the administration
has chosen an opportune moment to
bring forward its proposal In regard
TO Nicaragua.
Has Responsibilities.
The Mexican situation has alone
served to convince not only the new
administration at Washington. and
the Democratic party In congress. bat
the American public, as well. that
the. United states mas grave responsi.
nilities TO the rest OF the world. ana
duties 10 Itself In the region south OF
the Mexican border. Inc approach.
inR opening OF the fanama cahai. ana
she knowledge OF the vast changes TO
De worked on the commercial ana
naval system OF the United states.
with reference 70 botn Europe ana
l-atin-America nave also served 70
make clear 10 the country the neces-
eity OF decisive ana nrm poiicy IN
the region when separates tne cahai
from continental united states.
II was maintained tcaay ny !rlends
OF proposed treaty ar
rangement, II entered INTO, VAL real
~ impose on the united states iewer
obligations than \ mas been consider-
washington government. Heretofore