Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1927-01-13
NEWS REVIEW OF
CURRENT EVENTS
Dur Policy in Nicaragua
Bitterly Attacked in
Latin America.
BY EDWARD w. PIcKARD

BY EDWAHD w. flCNAhD
TT ONE were to believe the press In
some Latin-American republics and
the alarmists at home, affairs in Mic
aragua are approaching crisis that
will be very uncomfortable for the
United States. But the administra-
hon pursues its course steadily and
without the least appearance of being
worried. Rear Admiral Julian B. Lati-
mer commanding our naval forces
down there, has established neutral
zone that embraces the entire east
coast of Nicaragua and has notified
both sides In the civil struggle that
any troops of either faction that enter
that zone will be disarmed. Though
the zone includes Puerto Cabezas,
where Doctor Sacasa set up his liberal
government, Admiral Latimer's action
last week happened to strike hardest
at the Diaz forces, for they suffered
severe defeat at Las Perias and
hundreds of them were forced to re-
tire to Ell Bluff, where they were dis
armed by the Yankee gobs. The Con-
Bervatives fought desperately for three
lays but could not withstand the at
tacks of the Liberals, who were said
to have the help of 300 Mexican sol
aiers and officers.
Dr. r. s. vaca, agent of the Liberal
government in Washington, lodged
with Secretary of State Kellogg an
emphatic protest against the occupa-
tion of Puerto Cabezas by the Ameri-
cans, asserting that 1t was unwar-
ranted and that Doctor Sacasa was
held in practical Imprisonment" At
about the same time President Cool
tdge gave out statement describing
Americas Intervention as non-partisan
and declaring that the only purpose
In landing the bluejackets In Puerto
Cabezas was the protection of the
lives and property of American citi-,
GEMS American marines, according to
the President, have not molested Doc
tor Sacasa or any member of his cab
met The Liberal president, 1t was
pointed out, is now residing In house
lent by Americans at Puerto Cabezas.
Senator Borah, chairman of the SEN
ate foreign relations committee, after
comforting with Secretary Kellogg and
reading a cablegram from Admiral
Latimer, issued a formal statement
saying he did not believe 1t was the
intention Of the United States to in
tervene in the affairs Of Nicaragua,
but warning that the government
should be "vigilant against being
tricked into Intervention"
Naturally, we are interested in pro-
tecting our own people, the Borah
statement continued. But we should
also bear In mind that to do anything
more than is necessary to protect them
is wholly unjustifiable. Those people
have their own way of doing things,
and not only this government but
American citizens who go into these
countries will have to take that into
consideration. / am in favor of with
drawing our forces from Nicaragua
Just as soon as 1t can be ascertained
that Americans are reasonably safe"
Senator Moses, also a member of
the committee, is not so satisfied. He
introduced resolution calling on the
State department for the correspond
ence leading up to the recognition of
Diaz and relating to efforts to stabil-
lie his government. 1t was presumed
this would open the way to general
discussion of American policies in
Latin-America.
Newspapers in Mexico, Brazil and
Argentina are bitterly attacking the
policy of the United States In Nicara-
gua. In Buenos aires the press calls
It part of the fixed program of the
United States eventually to annex all
of South America. But they are an
gered by our refusal to admit their
beef and alfalfa seed, and suggest
boycott on American coal In retalia-
<ton. Unfortunately Ambassador Peter
A. Jay, who could explain 1t all to the
Argentina government, has resigned
and Is about TO come home with the
body Of his daughter. who died
tha IA