Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-01-15
VALIDITY OF BORAH
PROPOSAL DOUBTED
Election in Nicaragua Could
Not Be Legally Held, OFF,
Gals Here Hold.
BY DAVID LAWRENCE.

senator 6Oran s proposal lot a new
election in Nicaragua would not be in
accord with the provisions of the
present constitution of that country,
but officials here in the executive
branch of the Government feel sympa-
thetic to Mr.. Borah's suggestion If
the Nicaraguan authorities can find a
way to bring it about.
The only formula that would be
legal would be to amend the Nicara-
guam constitution SO as to permit Of
the calling of an election. The Idaho
Senator thinks American Marines
should he kept in Nicaragua while
such an election is held and with this.
too, the Department of State would be
in accord.
Indeed, if the whole story could be
made public of what is going on be-
hind the scenes it would be found, ac-
cording to the contention of Ameri-
can officials, that Juan Sacasa, de-
posed vice president, who is leading
the revolution against the DiaZ gov
eminent, would enter a peace confer
ence were It not for the tight hold
which the Mexican government has
on him.
Move to ElnbrOil L. S.
The opinion prevails here in gov
ernmental circles that Mexico hopes
to embroil the United States in con-
slant difficulties with Nicaragua so as
to draw a trail across the oil con-
troversy which has developed between
the United States and Mexico, and
also to damage the prestige of the
United States in Latin America.
Senior Sacasa himself is reported to
be very friendly to the United States,
but since his revolution was financed
and supported by MeXicans he feels he
is under obligation to them to make
only such settlement as they dictate,
if any.
The complete background of the
Nicaraguan situation was given to
the Senate foreign relations committee
in confidence by Secretary Kellogg.
A memorandum which he gave the
committee on soviet activities was
made public, but not the testimony
surrounding it. Thus only part of the
story has been told. and the Depart
ment of State now has asked that all
of the testimony except certain in.
formation of a confidential character
be made public so that a comprehen-
sive idea of the underlying influences
in the situation may be obtained. 1t
is said to have been due to a miSun.
derstanding that a part of Secretary
Kellogg'S testimony was given to
the press which gave an incomplete
picture of the whole State Depart
ment policy.
Held Full Statement.
Until the remarks of Secretary KEEL
logg are disclosed in their entirety,
fair judgment Of the situation cannot
be made by disinterested observers.
incidentally the suggestions of ar
bitrating the oil controversy with
Mexico made by Senator Borah are
also not unwelcome, but they depend
mostly on the desire of Mexico. An
international claims commission Is
functioning, to which requests for
damages can be submitted If the Mex
lean authorities will accept the juris-
diction of this commission. This was
the original intention Of Charles B.
Warren, America n commissioner, who
framed the treaties whereby the claims
commission was set up, but it is mat
ter of doubt whether Mexico will be
willing now to abide by the jurisdic-
ton of the claims commission In these
cases.
tCopyright. 1927