IN NICARAGUA

Hokitika Guardian, 20 April 1931, Page 3

IN NICARAGUA

ANTI-FOREIGN RAIDS. U.S.A. FORCES LEAVING. BRITAIN MAY SEND '“'UK-'R. United Prose Association— By Electric I elegraph—Copyright) WASHINGTON,; April 18. The U.S. State Department’s insistence on the carrying out of a plan for th c . withdrawal of U.S.A. .Marines fr°m Nicaragua has developed into n spirited discussion, following on th ( . Secretary of State, M r Stimson’s* announcement that lie had advised the American Legation in Nicaragua that “this Government, cannot undertake the general protection of Americans in tlmi country.” This pole v. "'d],, affecting only residents of the interior, sinci, American ships are guarding the coastal towns, is particularly interesting from an international viewpoint for in the interior, where bandits are staging a new uprising, in addition to Americans, there arc many Britishers and peoole of other nations 1 who have commonly looked to the United States f<v safeguard in such circumstances. Mr Stimson, however, recommended , at those not feeling- secure under Nicaraguan protection .should leave - the interior or remain “at their own risk.”

A message from Puerto Ca be/.as (Nicaragua) states that Americans billowing on receipt of word of Mr Stimson’s warning, are dropping their businesses and evacuating their homes i'i that district. The resident agent ot the Standard Fruit Coy. pointed out the possibility that the presence ol numerous Britishers would cause grave complications. Meanwhile bandits’ activities are reported to be spreading. The situation overnight has assumed the proportions of an internet ; onal ■problem, as well as arousing American public opinion, strongly on President Hoover’s policy of gradual withdrawal from the republic. Developments during th ( > last 24 hours bav'» been as follows: — The British Government following the killing of two Britishers, is understood to have informed the I’nit-d States that unless adequate protection is afforded, they may be com ’* 1 send a cruisei to the scene. The question is being acrita f wliethei this constitutes n violation of tilt* Monroe Doctrine. Mr Stimson has issued another ment that the jungle nature -><• country makes it practically impossible for tile United States Marines to cone e-rtli bandits. The statement. b-'Vm'U the American policy and comments bitterly upon the guerillas. It says; “Events btst week have nn.Hv thoroughly torn the mask off the eVi|-ac-ter of the mystical patriot. '-’ l,, dino. Hi ft Lieutenants are shown to have engaged in a deliberate plan of assignation and pillage against helpless civilians of various nationalities. T in the hour of his country’s clesola. tion that Sandiuo chose to send his outlaws across country to attack a region he believed to be unguarded ’ Meantime the gnerillafo.s have retreated into tlie fastness again, biding their time before striking" again. Foreigners concentrated at Puerto Cabezas will l>e evacuated aboard American warships if necessary. ,

The United States, it h: will demand that the Nicaraguan Govmen t shall furnish protection to foreigners through its Guardin National. It is disclosed that Hoover’s determination to reduce th American forces in Nicaragua, in process of gradual withdrawal, Imst five thousand to five hundred, lias been dictated by a policy trade. From sources close to President Hoover it became known to-ni -;li* that lip feels “that the previous course has cost the United States both friendship and trade in Eat America.” It is understood the President co suited various Senators on the step and was assured of the support o r important members. Senator Borah declared lie “approved of the withdrawal as rnpi "*• a- ' effectively as the situation can he adjusted.” Meantime considerable popular feeling is being aroused by stories oj atrocities told by thirty relng-os arrivin'* aboard the steamer sefalu " it,s flag half mast a t New Orleans. The victims of the recent raids in the 1’"erto Cabe/.as region were chopped to pieces and otherwise, mutilated.