Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-01-12

The meeting resolved itself into a de-
bate among committee members over
the various pending resolutions.
Given Right Of Way.
At the beginning the hearing
touched on Mexican-A merican rela.
t'ons. bound up with the Nicaraguan
situation by President Coolidge's
declara ton that munitions of war
have been supplied from Mexico to
the Sacasa revolutionary party in
Nicaragua. with the apparent sane
ton of the Mexican government
itself.
Given right OF way as soon as the
committee met, Representative Nc
swain, Democrat. South Carolina.
asked for approval of a resolution
calling upon the State Department
to make public names of American
nationals affected by Mexican land
laws. He was supported by Repre-
sentative Moore, Democrat, Virginia.
Chairman Porter Of the committee
said about 10000 Americans held
claims against Mexico. and that one
reason the names were kept secret
was to prevent the claimants from,
being "circulariZed."
Moore said he wanted to know
what line was being drawn between
British nationals who had complied
with the laws and Americans who
had not.
Wants Definite Facts"
"All want to find out" McSwain
said, ARE the definite facts. AS far
back as November / became inter-
ested i'm knowing the names of
/ Americans. both individuals and
corporations, affected by Mexica n
land and oil laws"
The committee deferred action on
| McSwain's resolution. and Representa-
tive Romjue, Democrat, Missouri. then
asked for action on his resolution re-
questing information on the Nicara
guam situation. If obtained he said.
| this information might be of service
| to Congress in averting war. The
| Presidents message, the Missourian
said had not given call the facts de
| sired, and had left members of Con
| gress unaware of the loss of any
| American lives or property in Nicara
, qua.
You are not contemplating war
with Nicaragua? asked Representa-
| tive Cole. Republican, Iowa.
No" answered Romjue, repeating
| to obtain information to avert war.
Asked If he thought war imminent.
Romjue said:
Nobody can tell that until We
know the truth"
Begg then asked IL Romjue thought
| 1t the wiser policy to wait until some
body had been killed before beginning
protection Of American interests. Rom
| jue replied 1t is a dangerous policy to
take steps that may bring about 1.-THE
killing of many"
The committee beca me embroiled on
that part of the Presidents message
telling of the declaring of a neutrai
zone at Bluefield. when Representa-
tive Linthicum, Democrat, Maryland.
moved that DIR. John. Latney of the
history department or Johns Hopkins
University be called as a witness.
Chairman Porter said there was no
business before the committee for the
witness to discuss.
I'VE have the Presidents MESA ge, 4"
said Moore.
When several members dissented to
consideration of the message Repre-
sentative Connally, Democrat, Texas,
asked:
us this committee merely a legis-
lative waste basket? The President
sent 1t to us. Congress referred 1t to
us. We ought to do something about
It,"
DIR. Latney then took the stand.
Calls Message Unsatisfactory.
"The Presidents message is not
satisfactory to me-" he said. Great
emphasis is placed on the possible
Nicarag guam canal To land marines
seems unnecessary to protect 1t. 1t
seems an excuse for his action. That
raises a suspicion in my mind that
there is some other reason. How Is
that canal route threatened"
Representative Begg. interrupted
with a point Of order. He explained
that the Presidents message was not
before the committee.
It's before US If the chairman did
not throw 1t out of the window" re-
piled Connally. ut was sent here"
us there any effort to gag the COM
mittee?" demanded Moore.
mo. nc, There is no effort to gag"
replied Chairman Porter.
Begg withdrew his point, but pro-
tested it was beneath the committees
dignity to turn its session into a CAB
fest"
Dr. Latane then said the President
"intimated the Monroe doctrine was
involved. This was incorrect. said
the witness. He cOntended this was
not the case unless the Monroe doc
trine now is to be interpreted as pre-
venting any American power except
the United States from interfering in
the affairs of other powers.
Policy on Foreign Loans.
A discussion by the witness of loans
to South American countries led Rep
resentative Burton. Republican, Ohio.
to define the State Department.
policy regarding foreign loans. He
also said that he considered the
rights to the Nicaraguan canal route
significant because in his belief the
Panama Canal eventually would not
be able to meet all interoceanic traffic
requirements.
Latane said he considered the
power of the President to land
Marines was a very broad one, and 1t
now appeared that every loan to
South America was to be backed up
by Marines.
Under questioning by Representa-
tive Vale, Republican, Colorado, the
witness said he knew of no instances
where this was true.
The discussion shifted to the Vera
Cruz incident in 1914, and Latane
said he fhauObt II differapt sop, ~