Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-07-20
Bryan Outlines New Policy to
Senate Foreign Relations
Committee.
OTHER COUNTRIES MAY BE
PUT UNDER U. S. CONTROL
Big Proposal Made to Safeguard
Panama Canal Comes as Com
plete Surprise.

A new policy toward Nicaragua, involv.
Ing the virtual control Of the affairs o,
tnat republic by the United States
through a protectorate similar to that
now exercised over Cuba, was outlined
today by Secretary Bryan at a private
conference with members of the Senate
foreign relations committee
MI Bryans proposal, coming as a com
piete surprise to most Of the members OF
the committee. has been taken by many
senators as the first pronouncement of q
general policy on the part of the admin
istration to extend American control over
the countries surrounding the Panama
canal. and to assure the stability of Cen
trail American republics and the domina-
ton by the United States of their rela-
tions with other great powers.
Secretary Bryan went before the com
mittee with a revised draft of the pro-
posed Nicaraguan treaty. negotiated frs
In the Taft administration, by which the
United States would secure exclusive
canal rights across Nicaragua and q new
naval base in exchange for a $4,000
gold payment.
Sweeping Control Of Nicaragua.
AS a new feature of the treaty, how.
ever, the Secretary Of State proposed
that language similar. IL not identical
with the so-called PLAT amendment" re-
lating to Cuba be injected in the treaty
giving the United States sweeping con.
troll Of Nicaraguan affairs and the pow
er to regulate her foreign relations and
Under the nronosed pIan Nicara,1ls
would agree in substance:
That war should not be declared with
out the consent Of the United States.
That no treaties would be made with
foreign governments that would tend te
destroy her independence, or that would
give those governments fOOthOld In tht
republic.
That no public debt would be contracted
beyond the ordinary resources OF the
government, as indicated by the ordinary
revenues.
That the United States should have thu
right to intervene at any time to pre-
serve Nicaraguan independence or t.
protect life or property.
Right to Build Canal.
That the United States should have th'
exclusive right to build canal across
Nicaragua, and should have a ninety
10cC
Bay Of Fonseca and to the Great Corr
and Little Corn islands in the Caribbean
with the privilege of renewing the lease
The United States in return would pay
Nicaragua $3,000,000 to be used In
public works and education.
1t is understood the Nicaraguan gov
ernment is willing to enter into the
proposed treaty. because Of the stabil-
ity it would give to the present Diaz
government, and to the proposed re-
organization Of the fiscal affairs OF the
republic.
1t is understood q refunding OF the
Nicaragua debt, for which about $16,-
100000 is required. does not form a
specific part of the negotiations laid
before the Senate committee.
Secretary Bryan and members or the
refused to discuss the ma
ture of the conference. further than to
say that 1t took in the whole scope OF
affairs. The striking plan
suggested by the Secretary of State
cussion among members Of the commit
tee during the afternoon and 1t Is
believed the proposal will receive much
support from both democrats and re-
publicans.
May Extend to Others.
Members of the Senate last night
professed to believe that should the
step be taken in Nicaragua, extending
American influence over its affairs to
the extent suggested, it would be fol-
treaties with all of the republics in
CentraI America. Many senators
favor such a course, claiming
1t is necessary to the permanent safety
and control of the Panama canal
In it's original form the Nicaraguar
treaty involved only the exclusive grant
Of canal rights and the grant of a naval
base to the United States. Members OF
the foreign relations committee were
not prepared for the further suggestion
made by the Secretary OF State. After
a meeting lasting more than an hour
the conference was adjourned until nexl
Saturday.
The committee refused to act upon the
treaty negotiations by the
Taft administration, but has beer
strongly urged by the Wilson admins.
tration to support the proposed compact
The Nicaraguan government Is anxious
for the consunmation OF the treaty. II
is understood, in the hope that plans
can then be made for the refunding OF
its debt and the reorganization of its
fiscal system, through the control OF
customs receipts by the United States
or in some other manner.
To Keep Other Nations Out.
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 Ameri-
can canal. administration officials
favor the permanent acquisition OF the
route to prevent its use by
some other power.
Senators were not prepared last night
to predict how far the power of the
United States might go into Nicara-
guam domestic affairs, should the sug-
gested policy be adopted.
II ia understood, however, that with
in the last few months this govern
ment has interfered with the building
of a bridge in the harbor Of Havana,
on the ground that 1t might be q men
ace to navigation. and that the repre-
,entations by the United States have
resulted in the complete cessation of
work there.
STORM Loss Is $3.50, 900.