Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-09-14

as ne gave IL 10 me- some account OF
his campaigns in Nicaragua. The data cited
directly from him were given me in Mexico
City recently by SANDING himself and by his
aide de camp, Capt Jose de Paroles
believe it is very likely that SANDING is 60
ing to continue his fight in Nicaragua. He is
there now.
Sandino's retirement to Merida, Yucatan
after his withdrawal from Nicaragua, has been
set down by many as an admission of defeat
and by others as the result of a bride of
100000.
But SANDING himself told me-and I have
every reason to believe him-that he was really
calling what he believes is bluff by President
Moncada of Nicaragua
Moncada had announced that If the rebels
would stop fighting the American Marines
you'd be withdrawn and the country would
enjoy true democratic government. SANDING
simply hid his stores and arms, disbanded his
army, and eft-temporarily. The Marines
are still there.
Perhaps by the time this article is published
the whole bloody business may have broken out
again.
SANDING is neither a Napoleon nor a Hot
tentot, but to me he is a born leader Of men
and clever tactician after the school of ADD
el-Krim Of Morocco fame. Like Abd-el-Krim,
SANDING succeeded in adapting modern military
tactics to the topographic and climatic con-
ditions of the region in which he was conduct
ing his military operations.
He is just plain, self-made man, and he is
proud Of it. He left his native country, Mica
Tagua, at the age of 16, in order to earn a liv-
ing abroad as mechanic-first in Costa Rica
and later also in Honduras, Guatemala, Mexico
and the United States In the States he
learned to speak English fairly well, while in
Mexico he got acquainted with the doctrines
of anti-imperiaism.
WHAT does SANDING want? Ultimately of
course, the whole Nicaraguan business re-
wolves itself into the matter of a new canal
to parallel the canal across Panama, to take up
surplus traffic and serve its own military needs.
And SANDING. contrary to general opinion, is
not at all opposed to construction Of the canal.
Being remarkably well versed in such matters
Is economic pressure and military necessity, he
knows at least that it is inevitable, and all his
fanatical patriotism will not blind him to that
fact.
What he objects to is simply the way in
which the matter so far has been planned and
carried out. The United States, through the
BTyan-Chamorro treaty, has acquired the right
10 build and operate the canal without taxa
ton for $1,000 000 and, according to SANDING,
only half of that sum was actually paid to the
Diaz administration in Nicaragua OF that
half paid TO politicians who are now discred-
lied, little, If any, seems to have gone into the
eOuntry's treasury, he says.
SANDING, who did his share OF fighting to get
nd of Diaz, simply claims that the latter
was bribed into betraying his people and that
1icaraguas present President, Moncada, is be-
ing bribed with equal success to abide by bad
bargain.
SANDING has several times told me that what
be wants for the canal is joint stock COM
pAny half of the stock to be bought by Latin
American nations and by Nicaragua In par
ocular and the other half to be owned by the
United States and other nations. The three
Million dollars already paid by the United
states are to be applied in full to the purchase
price Of shares.
That would give Nicaragua steady income
with which to build railroads, auto roads, sew
Grs, power plants, etc, without having to APP
peal to foreign capital and without being SUBJ
iected to the common humiliation Of hearing
that American Marines only 90 into the Latin