PROTECTING CITIZENS

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 92, 20 April 1931, Page 7

PROTECTING CITIZENS

NOT NOW 'UNDERTAKEN

OFFICIAL ANNOUNCEMENT

WITHDRAWING MARINES

graph—Copyright. WASHINGTON, 18th April. Mr. Henry L. Stimson, Secretary oL' Slalc, announces that he has advised the American Legation in Nicaragua thai: "this Government cannot undertake the general protection of Americans there." In consequence, the Slate Department's insistence on the carrying out of a plan for the withdrawal of marines from Nicaragua has developed into a spirited discussion. INTERNATIONAL ASPECT..The policy, while affecting only residents of the interior (since American ships arc 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 are many British subjects and people of other nations who commonly have looked to tho United States for safeguard in such circumstances. Mr. Stimson, however, has recommended that those who are not feeling secure under Nicaraguan protection should leave the interior or remain "at their own risk." ' Americans, following the receipt of word of Mr, v. Stimson's wanting, are dropping their businesses and evacuating their homes in the Puerto Cabeza district. The resident agent of the Standard Fruit Company has pointed out that the presence of many British subjects may cause grave complications'. The British Government, • following the killing of two British subjects, is understood to have informed the United States that unless adequate protection is afforded she may be compelled to send a cruiser to the scene. Tho question is whether this constitutes a violation of the Monroe Doctrine. Meanwhile the bandits' activities are reported to be spreading. Thus the Nicaraguau situation overnight has assumed proportions of an international problem, as well as arousing American public opinion strongly on President Hoover's policy of gradual withdrawal from that republic. STIMSON ON SANDINO. Mr. Stimson has issued another statement that the jungle nature of the country, makes it practically impossible for tho United States marines to cope with tho bandits. The statement defends the American policy and comments bitterly upon the rebel activities. "The events of last week have pretty thoroughly torn tho mask off tho character of that mystical patriot, Sandino,' states Mr. Stimson. "His lieutenants are shown to have engaged in a deliberate plan of pillage against the helpless civilians of various nationalities. "It was in the hour of his country's desolation that Sandino chose' to send his outlaws across the country to attack' a region ho believed to bo unguarded." In the meantime tho bandits have retreated into their fastnesses, again biding their time before striking once more. Foreigners, concentrated at Puerto Cabczas will be evacuated'aboard American warships if necessary. The United States, it is understood, will domand that the Nicaraguan Government shall furnish protection to foreigners. In the meantime considerable popular feeling has been aroused by stories of atrocities told by 30 refugees arriving aboard the steamer Cefalu with its flag half-mast at New Orleans. Victims of tho raids in the Puerto Cabezas region were chopped to pieces and otherwise mutilated.