Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1913-07-25
BRYAN's GREAT ACHIEVEMENT


1t must give confusion to the critics !
Of Secretary OF State Bryan to read of
the diplomatic triumph he has achiev-
ed in Nicaragua.
At time when there is criticism Of
him for going ON the lecture platform
this act bespeaking, in the. view of
his critics, neglect of his oficial du-
ties-the fact becomes known that he
has peaceably scored one OF the great
est diplomatic achievements in all the
record OF our relations with the coun-
tries to the south of US.
He has negotiated with Nicaragua
a treaty giving to the United States
exclusive canal rights across Nicara:
qua and a new naval base in exchange
for 100000 IN gold; furthermore,
the treaty. following the lines of the
Plat amendment establishing a Unit
ed States protectorate over Cuba,
gives to this country sweeping control
over Nicaraguan affairs and the power
! to regulate its foreign relations and
its finances.
The treaty, which Nicaragua has IN
dicated its readiness TO sign, makes
impossible union OF the Central
| American states for offensive and de-
fensive purposes and gives to this
country command of the Caribbean sea
/ In time of war
1t transpires that German interests,
backed by the German government,
! have been planning the construction
/ of a canal across Nicaragu to rival
the Panama canal, and that it was his
knowledge OF this secret German de-
sign which impeIled Secretary Bryan
10 move at once to forestall them.
Nor do these achievements express
all the gain resultant from the assur-
| ed new treaty. The latter opens the
door 10 the establishment of the SUI
eranity Of the United States over the
entire stretch of territory between the
southern boundary line of Texas and
the southernmost boundary of the re-
public OF Panama. 1t will be neces-
! sary merely for the other Central
American countries to negotiate like
| treaties to extend this suzeranity over
| them, and II Is presumed that when
they understand the design of the
United States they will be willing to
negotiate them. Thus without the
shedding of drop of blood or the ex-
penditure of dollar in excess of the
| s3,000.0 900 paid for the canal rights,
the power of the states will be extend
ed over all the North American con-
tinent, except. Of course. the British
| possessions therein. While resistance
to such a treaty may be anticipated at
the outset in the other Central Amer
lean countries, II is fairly to be pre-
sumed that just as Nicaragua was sat
isfied of the pacific intent of this gov
eminent, so the other countries, con-
templating the fact that Cuba for 10
years has been under our protectorate
without loss of its freedom or indie.
pendence, will come to the conclusion
that their best interests win be serv-
ed by like treaty relations.
The Bryan plan has. moreover. the
virtue of offering a way out of the
Mexican difficulty. When the people
Of that country finally tire of civil wal
of an identical treaty with this gov
eminent. That the Huerta regime
will be overthrow one day and thai
there will be other regimes which will
be successfully overthrown seems as
sured. But there will eventually come
into power in Mexico a party which
= will be willing. for Mexico's sake, tc
| invite the United States to step IL
; and. establishing a protectorate, re
store peace and put the republic upor
. a stable foundation.
: The Bryan Nicaraguan treat,
: strengthens the Monroe doctrine be
cause it-removes all occasion for for
eiga interference in the government
Of Nicaragua. BY the terms of tn,
treaty war can not be declared with
I cut the consent of the United States
Treaties cannot be made with foreigl
r governments that will tend 10 destro
its independence or give those govern
? ments a foothold in the republic N
? public debt can be contracted beyont
the ordinary resources OF the govern
ment, as indicated by the ordinary rev
VHuSs' anu Inc SHllSu states mas III
: right to intervene at any time 10 pre-
serve Nicsraguan independence an
TO protect life and property.
l What it took a war to achieve 4
Cuba, Secretary Bryan has achieve
peaceably in Nicaragua Moreover. Il
negotiating the treaty he has serve
notice that our policy is a peacefu
one and that We seek not new terri
) tory, but peace on the continent, a
end TO rebellions and slaughter, safet
, TO life and property. payment Of jus
debts, and law and order.