The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-06-19
Administration Senator VIII
Urge Wilson to Do So
Pending Inquiry.
WOULD HEAR ROOSEVELT
Bryan and His Friend Douglas
Quizzed by Committee on
Nicaraguan Financing.


tration Senator has decided to recon-
mend to President Wilson and Secretary
Bryan that they withdraw the Colombian
treaty. which contains an expression Of
regret by the United States on account
OF the Panama revolution.
This Senator will urge an investigation
by a special committee OF the Senate
into tho circumstance giving rise to the
claim OF the republic OF Colombia against
the United States. He will try to per-
suade tho President that the treaty will
be strengthened before the people and be-
fore the Senate " an investigation be made
into tho Panama revolution and the cir
cumstances under which tho United States
acquired tho Canal Zone from Panama.
II tho President Is agreeable to the
plan this Senator will introduce a resolu-
| ton authorizing an investigation, with
the idea OF having Theodore Roosevelt.
william Nelson Cromwell and others who
were identified with the acquisition OF the
Canal Zone called as witnesses
While this move is undoubtedly Intended
to revive the old criticism against Presl-
dent Roosevelt for tho methods employed
to acquire the Canal Zone. II Is also born
OF the recognition Of a legislative situa-
tion in the Senate which is likely to be
very embarrassing to tho Administration.
Borah for an Open Debate.
Senator Borah will introduce a resolu-
ton directing that discussion OF the
| treaty be carried on In open Senate
IL this resolution should be adopted It
would undoubtedly start a debate in the
Senate that would run along for many
weeks and probably interfere with the
plans for expediting the Administrations
trust programme. II the Democrats re-
fuse TO open the doors for public debate
on the treaties they will be criticised:
The indications are that neither the
Colombian nor tho Nicaraguan treaty has
any show of being ratified at this session
| of Congress- 1t In probable that repre-
sentatives OF Brown Bros. and the Selig-
mans, who hold tho bonds OF Nicaragua
and are said 10 have acquired franchises
in that country, will be called before
the committee.
| Chairman stone OF the Foreign Rela-
ton Committee said to-day after the COM
mittee adjourned that every phase OF the
Nicaraguan situation will be Investigated
by the committee.
Mr.. Stone added that the question OF
extending the power and influence OF the
United States over Central America as
is contemplated by the application OF the
Plat amendment TO the Nicaraguan
treaty. was very important matter and
that the reasons for II should be under
stood. The viewpoint of the State Depart
ment. as we'll as that of the people of
| Nicaragua and all the financial interests
| involved. should be disclosed in his
opinion.
Bryan Before Committee.
Secretary Bryan admitted before the
Foreign Relations Committee to-day that
the banker creditors OF nicaragua owned
81 per cent, OF the stock OF the Nicaragua
Railroad and that they have a mortgage
on the remaining 40 per cent. to secure
a loan OF $1,000 900.
Mr.. Bryan explained that It was very
necessary that the treaty with Nicaragua
be ratified promptly. so that the 50. 000, 900
which the United States Is TO pay Mica
ragua under the treaty may be promptly
paid over and part OF 1t applied to
satisfying the 81 900, 900 mortgage on 40
per cent. OF the stock OF the railroad
Otherwise there will be foreclosure pro-
ceedings very soon, according to Mr..
Bryan.
| Senator Sutherland OF Utah sharply
questioned Secretary Bryan on this poin,
| and bought out the fact that the banker
creditors also own a controlling interest
in the stock OF the Bank of Nicaragua.
lie obtained from Secretary Bryan the
admission that even the foreclosure OF the
mortgage on the 40 per cent. OF the stock
, In the Nicaraguan Railroad would hardly
add to tho complete control which the
bankers already exercise over the only
important artery OF commerce in Mica.
rasua, because they already own the con-
trolling interest in the stock.
Secretary Bryan also said. according tc
members OF the committee, that the losr
made by the bankers OF Sl,o0o,ooo on the
40 per cent OF tho stock OF the Nicaraguar
Railroad had been recognized and vail
dated by the State Department, which
Is now conducting the AFFAIRS of Nicaragua
by the aid of military forces and admin
istering the customs.