The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1927-04-26
Government Investment

Government Investment
In addition TO the private property
of our citizens, which is employed in
lumber and agricultural operations,
our Government has secured the
right to construct a canal and estab-
lish a naval base, for which it paid
100000. Contrary to the general
impression. there are no oil proper
ties in this country. Nevertheless, I
have seen cartoons that pictured it
as filled with oil derricks, Our
country consumes vast quantities Of
oil and gasoline in its use of automo-
biles, gas engines, and oil-burning
furnaces. II these products are to
be kept within a reasonable prices,
which is very important to a great
body of our citizens. our people who
go abroad to develop new fields and
to increase the supply ought to have
the encouragement and support of
our Government. We are not max
ms war on Nicaragua any more than
a policeman on the street is making
war on passers-by. We are there to
protect our citizens and their prop
erty from being destroyed by war
and to lend every encouragement we
can to the restoration of peace. While
the destruction of life and property
has been serious enough, had it not
been for the presence Of our forces
it would undoubtedly have been much
worse.
Toward the governments Of coun-
tries which We have recognized this
side of the Panama Canal we feel a
moral responsibility that does not at
tach to other nations. We wish them
to feel that our recognition is Of real
value to them and that they can
count on such support as we can
lawfully give them when they are
beset with difficulties.
For Peaceful Elections
We have undertaken to discourage
revolutions within that area and to
encourage settlement of political diff
| ferences by the peaceful method of
elections. This policy is bound to
meet with some discouragements,
but it is our hope and belief that Ill
timately it will prevail. This terri
tory is rich in natural resources and
under orderly governments is capa-
bic OF a development that will give
TO its inhabitants all the advantage
of modern civilization. 1t is a curl
Gus circumstance that some of those
who have been willing to have us
take mandates over far-Off countries
in Asia, where we have no interest
| that does not attach to all human.
| ity, are most critical when we are
attempting to encourage the main
tenance Of order, the continuity of
duly established government, and
the protection of lives and property
Of our own citizens under a general
reign of law in these countries that
are near at hand and where we have
/ large and peculiar interests.
China in CONFUSION
Another important problem in our
foreign intercourse relates to
China. That country is undergoing
a revolutionary CONFUSION. 1t is
broken up into several parts, each
claiming to represent a government,
none of which we have recognized.
Our main difficulty here is the pro-
lection of life and property of our
citizens. We have many mission
aries there and some commercial es-
adjustments. We have nothing in
the way Of concessions. We have
citizens are being concentrated in
ports where we can protect them
! and remove them. 1t is solely for
this purpose that our warships and
marines are N that territoTy.
While this process was going or
the unfortunate incident arose at
Marking. One of our citizens was
murdered, another was wounded
our consulate was violated, and when
the house in which our people had
taken refuge was surrounded and
they were actually under fire it be.
came necessary for one Of our ships
and one Of the British ships in the
harbor to lay down barrage, to
drive away the soldiers and the mob
who were making the attack and to
enable our citizens to reach a place
of safety on our ships in the river.
We presented with the other powers
who had suffered like attacks identic
notes of protest, to which a reply has
been made, which although concilia.
tory in tone and to a certain degree
responsive, leaves the final DISPOSE
ton of the issue matter for further
consideration by our Government.
Suggestion Ignored
Weeks ago we saw this situation
developing and sent a suggestion to
the contending factions that they
exclude the foreign quarters of the
city of Shanghai from the area of
military operations. This they failed