South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1918-05-14
Other Editors Than Ours
NICARAGUA ENTERs THE wAR.
lChrlstinn Science Moritor.)

Nicaragua declared Germany and upon
the allies Of the German empire. This information
comes later rather than earlier than expected
although there never has been any question in the
United States the attitude that Amer
lean republic toward the principals in the
fict. Five days after the at Washington de-
clared between the United States and Germany
existent or on April H. 1917, word was received
from Managua to the effect that Notwithstanding
strong undercurrent of pro Germanism in the coun-
the most prominent of all parties deter
mined support the government in its declared policy
OF frank amty toward the United states. The German
colony in Nicaragua which is quite populous and pros
porous, had been assured of protection. but
panyng this the warning that if Of
these aliens found be intriguing they would
receive short shrift.
Although at that date there was no apparent pros
pect that Nicaragua would take the step Of
declaring war many of the leading people of the Re
public were strongly favorable to more open avowal
Of sympathy with the United States and the allies
the part of their government, and agitation to this
end resulted in the severng by Nicaragua of dip
lomatic relations with Germany May 10, 1917
Nearly year elapsed. therefore, before for
mally declared.
Nicaragua is the third of the Central American and
the fifth all the Southern american republics for
mally to hostile attitude toward Germany.
April T. 1917, day after the United States
had taken similar action Brazil made its declaration
on Oct 26 of the year while Guatemala entered
the struggle on the 22nd of last month But aside from
these, Bolivia severed diplomatic relations with Ger
many April IA, 1917; Honduras. on May IS. 1917;
Haiti, on Sept 10, 1915 Costa RIGA, Sept p, 1916
Peru. Oct 5. 1917, and Uruguay. oct. Z. 1917.
Argentina has been at the point of open rupture with
Germany than within the last year, but
Prest Irigoyen, who appears be under the influence
in part of anti-American and pro-German ele-
ment. thus far succeeded preventing the
from taking what all appearances is its natural
Nicaragua may OF no value United
States and the allies from a military point of view,
considered economically and morally it vastly
better for them the friendship than the enmity
Of Republic The United very and
valuable interests within borders being the
of the rightOfway of the transisthmian canal which
must, sooner later, be constructed to supplement
the Panama waterway. and the possessor of i'm
portant naval base the Bay of Fonseca, the Pa
cifc, and of Corn Island. the Atlantic The
into the war, the allied side of Guatemala
and Nicaragua will unQuestiOnably influence of
other Central and South American republics that
still holding aloOf partly wholly, do likewise.
The term American solidarity" is widely
known and better understood in the southern re-
pubcs than in the United States. It those
countries closer association than yet exist
| ed among them. and it gives wider and deeper
meaning 70 the Monroe doctrine than has been
I attached 10 il in the past. German influence has
aroused, in a section of the southern continent a
feeling of antagOnism to what is called United States
dictation but most of the republics uphold
ing American ideas in harmony with the United States.
Nicaraguls action is important. will undoubted-
~ assist aligning and strengthening the sentiment
for continental solidarity and unity Of action the growth
which spells the end of Germany's long-che
hope Of obtaining economic political domination
he Western Hemisphere