Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-04-09

Completeness of the destruction OF
Managua, capital Of Nicaragua, by
earthquake reminds Americans of some
OF the dead cities of the past which
have been overwhelmed by acts of Ma
ture. The choice of a new capital is
discussed, and the timely aid Of the
Marines from this country is believed
to have been instrumental in creating
greater bonds of friendship with Latin
America, coming as a sequel to con-
troversieS Of recent years.
1T is we'll that speed has been used
in sending American aid to the thou
sands who are suffering from earth
quake and fire in Nicaragua" declares
the DeS MoineS Tribune Capital. Such
efforts, besides accomplishing their
primary purpose of emergency relief,
should help to convince Latin Ameri-
cans that the Nation which they call
the Colossus of the North is less self
ish and heartless than they sometimes
have believed" The Rochester Times
Union remarks that the Marines
service is reported as nothing less than
heroic" while that paper records "a
pitiful story of suffering and heroic
performance of duty-a desolate gray
scene of human misery" The st. Paul
Dispatch holds that this is one in
stance where the words The Marines
take charge has a welcome sound to
the world" The Detroit Free Press
concludes, I'VE have an idea that the
Nicaraguans are jolly glad that when
their capital was RACED regiment
of LeatherneckS was tenting in its
purlieuS."
"All that can be seen is smoking
embers and ruins and desolate places,
quotes the Atlanta Journal, adding:
Thus the President of Nicaragua de-
scribeS the fate of his country's capt.
tai. So complete is the destruction of
the erewhile beautiful city that its
abandonment is being contemplated.
Troy, Carthage, Pompeii and Hercu-
laneum-only in those ancient seats OF
disaster does the tale of Managua find
parallel
earthquakes Immediately labor to re-
cations and indulge in their custom
airy activities as If nothing had hap
pened," according to the Charleston
CIV. Va) Daily Mail. 1T is evidence
of courage, of determination, of refus-
ing to be defeated And yet, there may
be times when such rebuilding would be
folly. This seems to be the condition
with respect to Managua, which had
been developed into Nicaragua's best
city. having been modernized in many
respects"
Calling an earthquake "the most
sudden and destructive of all natural
and recalling the greater
cities that have at times been built on
the ruins Of older ones, the Cincinnati
Times-Star comments: Here is one
consolation for the stricken Nicaragu-
ans. If it is true that Managua has
been virtually destroyed, there is a
good chance that the capital will be
moved to a new and better site. Many
including President Mon
cada, have long urged the change Ma
nagua Is a compromise capital. having
been chosen as the seat of the gov
eminent to end long and bloody
rivalry between two more important
cities. The town is built ON the edge
of great lake, and the atmosphere is
extremely damp and malarial. Six
months of the year the streets are a
sea of mud; during the other six the
dust-laden air nearly stiles the inhab-
itants. Although no part of Nicaragua
could qualify as a health resort. the up
LANDS are comparativeiyesa lubrious. and
they might supply a capital site fit for