Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-03-01
COOLIDGE HOPEFUL
ABOUT NICARAGUA
Peace Proposal There Being
Watched With Keen In.
terest by President.

by INC AssoCihteu EfUte,
President Coolidge believes the sit
uation In Nicaragua In approaching
stability and is disposed to sit back
and quietly observe results.
An air Of great satisfaction per-
vaded the White House today when
that subject was mentioned. and It
was apparent that although he was
not himself sponsoring the project,
Mr.. Coolidge entertained high hopes
OF the peace proposal launched In
Nicaragua yesterday.
Meantime, in other quarters II de-
veloped that the State Department
was taking no notice Of the proposal
of President Dfaz for q new treaty
with the United States virtually Great
ing an American protectorate over the
little Central American country. De-
partment officials would not discuss
it, but there were indications that the
suggestion had not been favorably
received.
Proposal Due by Mail.
Technically, the Diaz proposal never
has come officially before the Ameri-
can Government. 1t IL understood to
be on it's way here by mail.
Whether there will be further COM
plications in Congress affecting the
Nicaraguan policy remains uncertain.
but with the adjournment a few
days away any recurrence of debate
would have to be short-lived. One
unexplained factor on which some
Senators may want information later
has been presented by the resigna-
ton from the diplomatic service Of
Lawrence Dennis, who was the
American charge in Managua during
% tho rovnIytfynnarV
outbreak.
Recalled from his post for service
in the State Department, Mr. Dennis
promptly advised Washington he was
through, but officials here hope to
dissuade him, when he reaches this
country. The Department is not dis
closing what was said in the letter Of
resignation.
No Recent Battle Reports.
One of the signs of hope in Nicara-
qua pointed to at the White House
today was the fact that officials have
not heard of any recent fighting. This
was interpreted as indicating that the
new peace move might come at an
opportune time.
The disposition of the American
Marines along the Nicaraguan rail-
road from Managua to the sea was
explained to the House foreign AFFAIRS
committee today in a letter from
Secretary Grew, who said In reply to
a resolution of inquiry that the pur-
pose was to maintain communications
for the American legation and the
Marine guard at the capital.
There was serious danger that
armed bands of revolutionaries might
interrupt communication on the rail-
road, wrote Mr. Grew, land possibly
destroy a portion of the railroad, thus
leaving Americans and other foreign
ers in Managua without communica-
ton with the sea.
Protection for Americans.
admiral Latimer was authorized
in his discretion to use the forces
under his command to establish
neutral zones in such places along the
railroad as might be deemed necessary
for the protection of American and
foreign lives and property in Nicara-
qua. and for the maintenance of conf
munications.
The additional forces now on the
way to Nicaragua will be used to re-
which will beS allowed to return to
their ships, and also for reinforce
ments."
The Navy Department has received
official word from Nicaragua that a
train on which a number of American
Marines were riding as guards had
been fired on last week and that the
fire was returned. No one was in
jured, 1t was stated. an investigation
showing that three hits had been reg
istered on the side of the train.
The department also was advised
that orders had been issued to the
Marines to pursue and capture snip
ers if firing occurred again.