Evening star., 1927-08-01

Nduicdl uuIerenCeS OF opinion as to
the justification for killing of several
hundred Nicaraguans in battle with
American Marines are shown by
comments in the American press
Those who support the action taken
under the State Department believe
that no other course was possible and
that the killing was in self-defense.
Critics of the administration insist
that American fighters should not be
employed on foreign soil in the alb
sence of declaration Of war.
"The affair at Ocotal is, of course.
highly regrettable. No American can
be elated," says the Fort Worth
Star-Telegram independent Demo
cratic), "over the killing of several
score natives of another country by
United States Marines on duty there
for important reasons. But, at the
same time, no American would want
the Marines to fail to do their duty.
This is the whole story of the fight at
Ocotal. The so-called army involved
on the other side was, in fact, a band
of outlaws, who had been holding
seized American property in violation
of the laws of their own country. as
well as the arrangement between that
country and the United States, which
arrangement the Marines were there
to uphold. Moreover, the Marines
did not attack but were attacked.
Their defense, so effective that it
served the purpose of q crushing Of
fense, is something that Americans
can be proud of as upholding the
best traditions of the American
soldier"
On the other hand, the New Bed
ford Standard Republican, makes the
comment: Secretary Kellogg says
they were merely brigands, but if so,
all revolutionists are brigands, and in
any case, must we forever undertake
the suppression of brigandage in other
American countries? To Central and
South Americans it must look as if
benevolent Intervention by the United
States means a lot of work for the
burying squad. The victory will have
it's repercussion in increased distrust
of American intentions, honorable and
friendly as they are. 1t would be
hard to say how much we have lost
in good will south Of the Mexican
border"
"The responsibility for what has
happened rests with the aggressive
bandit force" in the opinion of the
st. Paul Dispatch independently,
which adds that 1.-The United States
will, or should, maintain whatever
strength is necessary to keep order
in Nicaragua, pending the election
next year." The Oakland Tribune
Independent Republican, points out
that "were there no neutral force
there, prepared to maintain order,
the country would be overrun with
armed bands, leaving terror, suffer-
ing and poverty in their wake. There
are times when a great nation cam
not do the easiest thing, which. in
this case, would be to leave Mica
ragua to its Sandinos, Sacasas and
rifle bearing politicians"
Attacking the logic Of some of
the critics who are condemning the
action of the Marines" the Water
town Daily Times (Republican) asks:
What would they prefer? Would
they have wanted to see this small
force of Marines annihilated by a
gang of bandits that would have
spared neither wounded nor prison.
ers? Did they want Capt. Hatfield
and his little group to become vic
Tins of the man who promised to
drink Yankee blood'?"
Instead of weakening the admin
istration's hand, the Ocotal fight
strengthens it, and further justities
the President in his attempt to bring
peace and order to the country" de-
clares the Charleston Daily Mail Gin
dependent Republican,, while the
Fargo Forum (Republican) and Ban
gor Commercial (Republican) en-
phasize the fact that the enemy
forces were "only outlaws" The San
Francisco Bulletin (Republican) adds
that the Marines wrote a page in
history which Is like the famous
Light Brigade's'-with a much bet
ter climax. This bravery also Is
the theme of the Wichita Beacon Cn-
dependent Republican,. and the Jack !
son Citizen Patriot (independent) |
contends that $50 long as there is |
danger OF guerrilla warfare In Nicara- |
qua, the Marines must stay on the |
job for hnmanity's sake.
N opposition to the ADMINISTRATION
ff@~ a.