The Washington herald., 1921-03-06
Demands That Costa Rica
And Panama Stop War
At Once.
BOTH NOTES CAST
IN DRASTIC TERMS
New Government Moves
Under Provision of
Canal Treaty.

An uilifnaluin octhahoiue Nhe IN"
mediate cessation OF hostilities was
dispatched last night to the gov
ernments of Costa Rics and Pan
anna by Charles 4. Hughes. the new
Secretary of State.
The notes were the hrrt commu-
nication Of the United States with
foreign governments under the
Harding administration
They were authorized by Presi-
dent Harding at q lengthy confer
ence at the white House yesterday
with Secretary Hughes
The ultimatums then were dis
patched with unusual sviftness.
Uses strong Terms
The notes are understood on good
authority to be couched in such
strong terms that they cannot be
ignored or sidestepped.
The State Department in sending
the demand is acting under the
treaty between this country and
Panama for the construction Of the
Panama Canal. Il was learned That
treaty contained a provision by
which the United States undertook
to guaranty the Sovereignty %
Panama
The primary object for the guar
sntee in this treaty Of Panams's
sovereignty was the protection Of
the canal The state Department
now contends that the rapid ad-
vance of Costa Rican forces into
Panaman territory menaces the
American Canal Zone, in addition
to endangering American lives and
property throughout that part OF
Panama invaded.
Confers Again.
After the notes had been -yvrfttcnr
and dispatched. Secretary Of State
Hughes, accompanied by Henry r.
Fletcher. the new Undersecretary Of
State. again conferred with Hard
ing at the White House TO notify
the President OF the action taken.
They stayed at the White House
forty-five minutes.
At the direction of President
Harding and the State Department,
the Secretary Of the Navy has dis
patched war vessels to both the At
lantic and Pacific sides Of PanamR,
to protect American lives and in
terests. The gunboat Sacramento
has alraedy arrived at Almirante. in
the northern part OF Panama. only
about $50 miles from the Canal
Zone, the State Department was
advised last night. Rear Admiral
Henry F. Bryan. commanding the
special Centrsl-Americsn squadron
of the American navy, has been
instructed to take any further ac-
tion he thinks necessary il the au-
thorities in Panama are not able to
protect Americans and their prop
erty.
Drastic Action.
What action will be taken by the
new administration IL the present
strong notes do not stop the war
between Panama and Costa Rica is
problematical, but IL is believed
that IL will be most drastic. Both
Secretary of the Navy DENLY and
Secretary of War Weeks conferred
yesterday with President Harding
at the White House. Whether or
not the advisability of Landing Amer
lean troops or Marines in Panama
to repel the Costa Ricans was
brought up. however. is not known.
Extensive United States interests
are said to lie in the province OF
Bocas del Toro. Almirante, on
which the Costa Ricsn army is ad-
vancing, is in this province.
League Notes
Dispatches from Paris reported
the council OF the league Of ma
tions had communicated with Pam
anna and Costa Rica.- pointing out
the responsibilities Of these two
countries as members OF the league,
In an effort 70 stop the hostilities.
The ultimatum Of the United
States was interpreted as being In
part a gesture OF the United States
TO let the world know that diftcuI-
ties in Latin America can he SET
tied without the league of nations.
The strong notes also were con-
sidered as a first expression Of the
announced policy of President Hard
Ing to protect American interests
anywhere in the world. The great
est purpose of thu notes, however.
Is regarded in Official circles here
as oeinS a benevolent attempt on
the part OF the United States 60
prevent the further shedding of
blood in Central America.
Monroe Doctrine.
Dispatch OF the American ultI-
matum TO Panama and Costa Rica
was an emphatic reaffirmation by
President Harding of the Monroe
Doctrine, according to the interpre-
tation palced on Il in official and
diplomatic circles here last night.
Not only was Il evidence of Hard
ing's. policy of keeping peace and
establishing friendship and accord
among the Pan American nations.
but IL was notice to the league Of
nations and the rest of the world
that the United States. refusing to-
NEEDLE I'm Europe's Affairs. docs
not need the league or any mem
ber Of Il TO help with matters this