The review. [volume] (High Point, N.C.) 1908-19??, 1917-02-15
gnc[e Samts Latin American
Step.Ch1lelren-


az chronic difficulties and
n ~ develop it's great natural
Ses0 resources, both the Taft
and Wilson administra-
tons have extended or imposed
financial and military supervision.
THE year 1912 was marked by an
unprecedented degree of intervention
in Nicaraguan affairs by the United
States" Chester Lloyd Jones writes in
his book, Caribbean Interests of the
United States. Though the landing
of troops to protect property had been
frequent, the internal affairs of the
government previously had not been
interfered with; but this was no
longer to be the case. A note from
the United States to Nicaragua had
declared. The policy Of the govern
ment of the United States is to take
the necessary measures for an atle-
Quate legation guard to keen
open communications and to protect
American life and property This
statement was issued after 125 plan
ters, besides many other American
citizens, had appealed for aid.
nc government.
through its foreign minister had de
clared it could not give protection, as
all the troops were needed for putting
down the rebellion. He had suggest ed
that the United States. act He used
the following significant words: NV
government desires that the United
States guarantee with it's forces Sc
curity for the property of American
citizens in Nicaragua and that they ex-
tend this protection to all the inhabi-
tants of the republic"
In the late summer Of 1912 American
marines were landed; protection was
given to the railway property and the
government lin power was assisted in
the capture of several disputed towns
President Taft had ordered regiment
Of infantry to embark and perhaps
planned complete cleanup. but over
night decided that perhaps Americans
would not approve too evident a use of
force, and countermanded the order In
all, about $500 American sailors and
marines took part in the operations.
After months fighting Admiral
Switzerland accepted the surrender of
Mena, the chief rebel, with 700 men.
Another force of 500 men was driven
into Costa RIGA. s.e-s
The people of Nicaragua did not wei
come the invasion, but it found fervent
support from the beleaguered officials.
The marines seized the states only
railway, which ran from the port of
Corinto to the capital of Managua, and
mounted machine guns on fiat cars
The pOpulace at Leon, a city of some
$4,000, met the military train and
attacked the troops. Whereupon the
Americans moved their way into
town. Little has been told of the in
cidents of this expedition, but the
country was undoubtedly paci:.ed.
IN October, 1912, the withdrawal of
American troops was begun and by
December all had departed with the
exception of legation guard of 400
marines. This guard, now reduced
10 100 men, has continued to stay in
the country in the interest of public
order. At Corinto lies cruiser, with
re-enforcements, ready to entrain for
the capital.
Wilson Adopts the Policy.
Shortly after President Wilson took
office, he ordered the release of Gen
eral Mena, who had been detained in
the Panama Canal zone. This touch
of leniency resulted in resumed unrest
when the old rebei returned to Mica
ragua. A state of siege was declared
for eight months in 1914. United
States troops were landed at Blue |
fields. on the Atlantic side, and the |
government was kept in power only |
by their presence. This permanence |
Of official tenure appears to be one |
great objection of Latfn-Americans to |
The interference OF the United States. |
Few countries have more troubled |
political history. The people have been
prey first to anarchy and then to |
tyrants. In the ten years from 1900 !
to 1910 there were 16 revolutions In
these years Jose Santos Zelaya kept
himself internationally in power. I'm
der his policy of terrOr1zat1On cOnces-
Sions were sold for almost any privi-
lege which interna tional gambler-in-
veStOrs would buy. The press was un-
der strict censorship Taxes on i'm
ports and exports became more and
more oppressive.
In the revolution of 1910 two Amer
leans in the rebel ranks were killed by
Ielaya's orders This gave the revolt
he diplomatic support of the United
States. and zelaya was finally forced
to resign. His subordinate, Madriz +
succeeded to the presidency. and the
disturbances which followed brought