Imperial Valley press., 1927-01-18
C00I. |DCE
.jUSTIF|ES
HIS STAND
Declares Occupation Of
Nicaragua Necessary to
Peace and Protection.
HELM A TT A c X S
Charges Catholics With
Attempting to Foment
War With Mexico.
ny United Press Leased Wire

WASHINGTON. Jan. lS.-prcsi-
dent Coolidge today struck back at
two groups Of his opponents who
criticized him both for inadequate
military preparedness and for al
legged imperialism m Central Amer
ica
His official spokesman justified
administration opposition to build
ing three additional naval cruisers
now on the ground that this country
should lead voluntarily in stopping
competitive armament races.
The spokesman Justified occupa-
tion Of Nicaragua on the ground
that the Monroe Doctrine prevents
European nations from protecting
their interests in that country and
obliges the United States to do so.
The difficulties with Mexico can
be reduced to one question, the
white house said.
Reasons for American action in
Nicaragua, as previously stressed III
the president S message to congress
were given as:
Protection Of American lives and
property and defense Of this gov
ernment s acquired treaty rights to
construct Nicaraguan canal and
establish naval bases.
No reference was made to the al
legged "Mexican fostercd Bolshcvist
hcgemony spectre' which press
association other than the United
Press stated was behind the admin
istration's Nicaraguan policy.
The president wants it understood
that the administration s efforts in
Nicaragua are directed towards pre-
venting injury to American inter
csts rather than to taking action
after such injuries occur. The
presence of American troops ana
ships has prevented considerable
bloodshed and saved the lives of
many wounded on both sides. the
spokesman said.
While unwilling to comment on
the peace proposals of tile American
recognized president, Diaz, the pres
ident was described as interested in
any settlement which would secure
tranquility for that country.
go. Denies Treaty Violation
Charges that other nations are
violating the Job naval ratio cstab-
lished ut the Washington Arms con
ference. which are being used to
justify the increased naval building
program, were denied on behalf of
The 5-5-3 agreement referred only
the president.
to capital ships and aircraft carriers
and no nation intends to violate
the treaty ii was stated.
If three additional cruisers are
found to be necessary next year they
can be started then without increas
ing the present navy budget, it was
stated
The senate this afternoon witnes-
sed one of the tensest scenes this
session when Senator Hcflin, Demo
crat. Alabama, spoke ON Mexico, at
tacking Catholics for what he
termed incorrect propaganda on the
Mexican religious situation. \
large gallery followed his speech,
and there was a ripple of applause,
interspcrsed with slight hissing-an
unusual outburst for the dignified
upper house. Hcflin virtually chal-
lengcd the press to print his whole
speech. intimating omission might
bring further observations from him.
"Calvin Coolidge is not going to
march an army into Mexico over
Il controversy relating to religion
and nobody is going to lei him do
it if he tries Senator James f.
Reed, Democrat, Missouri, declared
in the senate, following charges by
Heflin that the Knights of Colum-
bus are attempting to foment war
with Mexico. -