New-York tribune., 1919-06-23
By Carter Field
NctO York Tribune
Wdshsn Gt0n Bureau


WASHINGTON. June % Evidence
eign Relations Committee that the
policy of the Administration in Costa
Rlca has been failure, it was indi-
Gated by members of the committee to-
day. This is true apparently from
all that he Sepators can learn
whether the inquirer accepts the idea
that the administration has been
right in refusing to recognize the
Tinoco government. which has been in
power since January. 1917, or whether
he accepts the view that Tinoco should
have been recognized.
Members of the committee, from
Senator Hitchcook, the Administration
leader down, conccde that no one in
Costa Rica apparently is pleased with
what the United States has done Or
the contrary, every faction in the lit
tie country feels a bitter recruitment
against this country.
Hands-Off Policy Urged
Ex-President Alfredo Gonzalez, of
Costa Rica, who was thrown out of
the Presidency by the Tinoco revolu-
ton. and who has had the support Of
President Wilson, has come to Wash
ington in the hope Of getting some
thing done which would relieve what
tion Of the country as it is at present
In conference with Senator Hitchcock
who agrees with President Wilson in
so far as the Gonzalez Tinoco contro-
versy is concerned, and with Senator
Fall, of New Mexico. who has thought
all along that Tinoco should be recog-
nized, Mr.. Gonzalez urged that this
country take its hands off the situa-
tion entirely.
In TINT event, Mr.. Gonzalez repre-
sented. it would be simple matter for
revolution to be organized and. to
overthrow the Tinoco regime, j
But just recently, when q revolution
was attempted. Mr.. Gonzalez pointed
out to Senators, the State Department
issued solemn warning to Nicaragua
to maintain neutrality, and not to per
NIT any force to be organized within
its boundaries for the purpose of cross
ing the border into Costa Rica.
Mexico Provides Ammunition
Tinoco, Gonzales declared. is getting
all the arms and ammunition he needs
from Mexico and other countries, whilc
the revolutionists are prevented by the
United States from getting supplies
anywhere. Yet, he pointed out, the Adj
ministration here will have nothing to
do with Tinoco, and has declared posi-
lively that it will never recognize his
government.
So that in refusing to recognize the
existing government and in refusing to
permit the possibility of a revolution
the United States government. Gonzales
declared, is in the position of solating
Costa Rca from the rest Of the world
and of turning the people of Costa Rica
over to the dictation of a man Presi-
dent Wilson does not think worthy OF
recognition.
This policy Of isolation, he says, has.
already resulted in Costa Rica being
classed with Mexico and the Central
Powers. Only the Central Powers,
cluded from the league of nations. AS
Great Britain and France make a prac-
tice of recognizing a South or Central
American government only when the
United States does SO, the action OF
this government is virtually the action
of the civilized world always excluding
Mexico. Germany, Austria, Bulgaria
and Turkey.
Democrats Lack Remedy
Administration leaders are at loss
to suggest any remedy for the sitna-
tion. Last session subcommittee
dominated by Democrats brought in a
report that there was no reason why
Tinoco should not be recognized, but
recommending that the Senate should
not interfere with the prerogatives of
the President and the State Department
In handling the matter.
Those who favor the recognition Of
Tinoco point to this as a simple solu-
tion OF the whole question. Those
who favor Gonzalez, however, have no
such simple remedy. They point out
that to permit the anti-Tnoco revolu-
tionists to organize their expedition
in Nicaragua would be almost as
serious a breach of international law
as to permit the organization Of q fill
buster from the state of Florida, since
Nicaragua is absolutely controlled by
the United States, which constantly
maintains a force of marines at Man
aqua, its capital.
The effect on Latin America, there
fore, of complying with the suggestion
OF Gonzalez, even in the view OF some
who support him, would be most Sc
rioug