We Seek Nicaragua, Says French Writer.

New York Times 100 years ago today, October 27, 1912:
Comte de Perigny Declares the United States Is Playing the Same Trick as of Yore.
CITES TEXAS, CUBA, PANAMA
"Yankee Colossus" Threw Zelaya Out, He Asserts, Because He Was Not Docile.
Special Cable to The New York Times.
    PARIS, Oct. 26.— Events of the last few weeks in Nicaragua have been closely followed here. The viewpoint taken by the majority of the French public is that the revolution was a direct consequence of the action of the United States. This opinion is also expressed by Comte de Perigny, who is regarded here as an authority on all that concerns Latin America.
    When interviewed this week the Count expressed himself as follows:
    "It is necessary to recognize the revolution as a normal result of the American policy of grab. It is always the same principle invoked, and the same method applied. At one time the Americans coveted Texas, and California, with its gold diggings. At once a revolution was fomented, followed by intervention, and the trick was taken. Later on, it was the same thing in Cuba and in Colombia to gain the Panama Canal.
    "As for Nicaragua, the country of lakes, as it is called, a country where another canal might be dug, it was inevitable that the United States would try to gain control over it.
    "President Zelaya, an authoritative but firm ruler, was not sufficiently docile, so he was overthrown by a revolution. His successor Madriz, a just and intelligent man, imbued with a sense of the dignity of the nation, could not stay in power.
    "At last the men of the United States arrive and the sacrifices of effort and money by the North American financiers are crowned with success. The National railways are given over to a North American syndicate. The reorganization of the finances is entrusted to North Americans, even so far as control of the customs, the country's principal source of revenue, which passes into the hands of North American agents.
    "Can one be astonished at a revolutionary movement among a people exasperated by the unworthiness of its rulers and also by their want of foresight, since they were unable to guarantee thousands of persons from the worst of evils, hunger?
    "But, alas, what can this nation do against the Yankee Colossus?"