Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-04-22
Sticking to It's Guns.

Of Nicaragua at the earliest possible
moment. 1t has not permitted recent
outrages by banditry in the Central
American country to shake its deter
mination in this matter Indeed, the
course followed, as announced by Sec
rotary Stimson, since reports of the
killing and looting by bandits on the
east coast, not only is in entire accord
with the plan Of ultimate evacuation OF
all armed forces of the United States,
but gives added promise that the plan
is to be carried out.
On February IS the Secretary of State
revealed the purpose of the administra-
ton 10 reduce the force of Marines in
Nicaragua to 500 by June. The way
had been paved, Mr.. Stimson said, for
the ultimate removal of all the Marine
forces from Nicaragua Immediately
after the election of 1882. This. he
said. was made possible by the organi-
zation of the Nicaraguan National
Guard, which has been under the COM
mand and instruction of American Ma
rine officers. The announcement was
acclaimed by Americans who believe
that the United States should not re-
main permanently in the Central Amer
lean country.
The devastating earthquake which
destroyed many lives and much prop
erty in the capital city, Managua, and
the bandit raids on the east coast have
threatened to throw a monkey wrench
into the plans Of the administration to
get out" Of Nicaragua. They have
however, not caused President Hoover
nor Secretary Stimson to lose faith In
the ability Of the Nicaraguan govern
ment, with q trained National Guard
and the promise of better roads through
bandit-infested territory. to carry on.
Announcement was made on April II
that Americans in the interior of the
Central American country must rely on
the protection afforded them by the
National Guard and that American
forces will not be sent into the interior.
Americans were warned, IL they did
not feel secure under the protec-
ton Of the Nicaraguan government and
the National Guard, either to remove
from the country or to coast towns
where they could be protected or evac-
uated in case of necessity.
Such warnings to American citizens
in foreign countries are by no means
new. There was no implication that
the United States would not protect
its citizens. 1t was quite clear that
this Government would hold Nicara-
qua responsible for protection Of Amer
leans in the interior of the country.
Americans in China, many of them
holding big property rights within that
country, have been repeatedly warned
by this Government to 60 to coast
cities or to leave the country when they
have been menaced by revolutionary
forces or by bandits. No one has sug-
gested that the United States send
forces into the interior of China This
country does not expect to set up a
government in China because some of
its citizens are unable to pursue the
even course of their business under the
conditions prevailing in that country.
Warnings to Americans in Honduras
they could be protected have been
issued by this Government many times
in the past, as they have been in the
last few days. 1t was not so long ago
that the Wilson administration warned
Americans in Mexico to leave the in
terror and to go to coast towns for
protection.
Armed forces of the United States
have been hurried to the east coast
towns of Nicaragua where the bandit
outrages were recently perpetrated.
Secretary StimSon has made it quite
clear that such forces will always be
dispatched to aid Americans in danger.
But he has made 1t equally clear that this
Government does not intend to take
over the government of Nicaragua,
which of necessity it would do If 1t sent
It's armed forces throughout that coun-
try to police 1t. The time has come
when it is believed to be to the best
interests of all concerned to call upon
the government of Nicaragua to do
this police work. Furthermore, with
the aid afforded by the American Ma
rines, a guard has been organized
which is believed capable Of handling
the situation.