Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1913-07-21
iuly17dtf
Bryan FayOrS SUI
eraintyOn Nicaragua.

Washington, July 20.-The establish
ment of a Suzerainty by the United
States over Nicaragua, with the as
sumption of responsibility for the
debts of that republic, was, Saturday,
advocated by Sec Bryan, He made
tnis recommendation in connection
with the pending treaty by which the
United States would be given perpet-
ual right to construct ship canal
across the territory of Nicaragua.
The insertion of the famous Plat
amendment, by which Cuba was made
a ward of this government, with the
power of Intervention and supervision,
was proposed by Sec. Bryan in the
treaty now being considered with Mic
an amendment to the Plat amend
ment by which the United States
would become responsible for the debt
of the Central America republic.
Sec. Bryan appeared before the Sem
ate committee on foreign relations in
support of the new treaty with Mic
aragua. He spoke in favor Of its
prompt ratification, saying it would be
beneficial to both nations and would
| forever settle the possibility of an
other great canal being constructed
on this hemisphere.
There are some amendments which
| he believed should be incorporated in
| the treaty. Sec. Bryan said. and inn
mediately astonished his hearers by
| suggesting that the Plat amendment,
strengthened by a stipula ton of liabil-
| ity for Nicaragua's debts. be made a
part of the pending treaty.
| Realizing the relations that have
| prevailed between the United States
and Cuba for more than 10 years. with
several armed interventions and oc-
| equations for the purpose of pacifica :
ton, 1t instantly became apparent to
every member of the Foreign Relations
committee that Sec. Bryan was GO
| ing one step beyond any proposition
that was ever advanced for trustee
ship by the United States over a
Central American republic. The adj
ditional step was assuming response
biity for Indebtedness.
| It in effect was a restoration of
dollar diplomacy" with embelish
ments AS the United States would
have many special privileges in con-
nection with its trusteeship, the ill.,
NtStliitHt VI SititiiNdu HlphNN Npuib v'
made safe and profitable. 1t constitut-
| ed a suggestion in advance of any
thing ever advocated by Secs. Root
and Knox.
The important fact was developed
during the consideration of the treaty
| that President Wilson strongly APP
proves of it and desires to see ratifica-
| ton accomplished at once. The posi-
| tive statement was not made that the
| President endorsed Sec Bryan's rec
| concentration for suzerainty and fl
nancial responsibility.
The treaty. as it stands, provides
| that the United States shall pay Mica
ragua 100000 in instruments, for
| National improvements, and be given
| in return a perpetual right of way FOR
constructing a ship canal over the OLD
| Nicaragua route. In addition, the
| United States would be given Fonseca
| Bay on the Pacific side, as a naval
| base and for fertilization purposes
Also Big and Little Corn Islands in
| the caribbean Sea, where heavy guns
could be mounted to protect ap-
proaehes to the Panama waterway.
Nicaragua is desperately in need ct
ready cash and the $3,000,000 would
appear like tremendous fortune.