Evening star., 1928-01-15
US. Nicaraguan Policy Enters New Phase

recognizing constitutional governments and
recover our freedom to recognize any govern.
ment which proves its existence in fact"
* X y
All such dangers and possible sources Of
embarrassment in agreeing to supervise the
Nicaraguan elections. however, were contem-
plated by the American Government. Henry
/, Stimson former Secretary of War and the
recently appointed Governor General OF the
Philippines. who brought about the agreement
in Nicaragua. points out In book that he
has Just written on the Ncaraguan affair that
a drastic situation necessitated drastic meas
ures. and a supervised election by the United
States was Of them. A truce between
warning factions, the surrender of their arms
and the agreement for a fair and supervised
election. he declares pointed out the only road
"by which bloody and devastating revolution
could he stopped and ballots substituted for
bullets in determining whether Conservatives or
Liberals should hold the reins OF government.
Furthermore. it was legitimate 10 hope that il
a generally admitted fair election could once
be held it might serve as guide and a pat
tern toward which the minds Of the Nicaraeuan
people might turn in the future. and that. hav-
ing been shown by Americans that such
election was possible. they would be encour.
aged In the future to adopt perma nently A
system of free elections with their own efforts.
The saving OF nation from anarchy: the
termination of a century-old political vice which
had destroyed it's attempted democracy; the
setting of that nation upon the road to posi-
bly, orderly self.government-al seemed to me
to be a goal worthy of every effort"
x
Gen. Mccoy has already made one trip to
Nicaragua to look the field and to get
acquainted. lie is his way now to begin
actual preparations for the election next Octo
ber Before he becomes officially in charge,
however. chairman of the national board
OF elections. the election feature of the Stimson
agreement must be given legislative effect
and his choice the American in charge ap-
proved by the Eicaraguan Congress. Such
action is expected within short time Upon
his arrival in Nicaragua Gen. Mccoy will begin
the organization Of his election machinery. He
will probably divide the country into districts
or precincts and decide upon the personnel to
he in charge OF them Whether the polls are
10 re guarded by United States Marines or by
native constabulary. differed by the Marines
has not been announced. The agreement for
supervising the election. however. gives the
United States ample authority 10 use anv
means thought best TO enforce the regulations
In selecting Gen. Mccoy President Coolidge
Is believed TO have chosen one of the best
qualified men in the country for the work in
hand. He has handled many difficult missions
in Cuba and in Central America and won a
reputation by his work in the Philippines as
an aide TO the late Gen. Wood
= y y
Although the election is e.Sh; months away.
some OF the political guns are already popping
Within the last week DIR. Juan Sacassa former
President Of the Liberal government 80, I'M
in Nicaragua in 1926, and which was succeeded
by the present Conservative government recos.
nzed by the United States. gave an interview
To the Associated Press correspondent in
Guatemala City. saying that. while he has not
aided Gen. Sandino he sees in the generals
actNties patriotic gesture. This state
ment was Immediately hoped on BY the Mica.
raguan Minister to the United States DR.
Alexandra Cesar. a member OF the Conservative
party. who declared that DIR. Sacassa's charac.
terization Of Sandino's efforts as patriotic
gesture shows the true feeling of the LIBERAL
party toward the bandit leader The Sacassa
statement tended TO confirm. said the Minister
the reports have from my government, that
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