An American Force Lands In Nicaragua.

New York Times 100 years ago today, August 6, 1912:
One Hundred Bluejackets and Marines from the Annapolis Sent to Managua.
ORDER RESTORED BY THEM
Nicaraguan Government's Inability to Protect American-Owned Property Was Confessed.
Special to The New York Times.
    WASHINGTON, Aug. 5.— At the request of the Diaz Government in Nicaragua the United States "intervened" yesterday afternoon, landing 100 bluejackets and marines from the gunboat Annapolis for the protection of American property. For the time being Minister Weitzel and Americans on the spot say the situation seems improved. But it is not unlikely that within the next few days a much larger force will be required, and in that case marines will be sent from Guantanamo.
    The outbreak comes as an apparent setback to Secretary Knox's "dollar diplomacy" policy. It is pointed out, however, that should the situation in the little republic call for more serious intervention, in the end the Senate may be forced, for the protection of American interests in Nicaragua, to ratify the treaty now sleeping on the Senate executive calendar and guarantee a loan of $10,000,000. That loan, first offered by the Morgan syndicate, is now sponsored by the Whitney Central Bank of New Orleans, representing many individuals.
    Should the ratification of the treaty, as the only means of insuring order in Nicaragua, result from the present demand for American marines in the republic, it would really prove a step forward for the Knox policy. That seems to look in general toward preserving stability in the smaller republics by putting them under bond to keep the peace. That would be insured by loans guaranteed by this Government, which would hold the National finances under strict control.
    The immediate trouble yesterday arose from the seizure by Gen. Mena's rebel forces of vessels on the Nicaragua, belonging to the American syndicate operating the railroad and steamship line from the coast at Corinto into the interior. These vessels were used by the rebels in an effort to bombard the unfortified town of San Jorge.
    When Minister Weitzel learned the facts and heard the protest of the Americans against this seizure of their property he took the matter up at once with the Diaz Government. The Nicaraguan Foreign Office save him the answer that the Government was using every power at its command to maintain order and protect all foreign property, but could give no assurance of being able to do so. The Foreign Minister said he regretted that the entire force of the Government was required to put down disorders in various parts of the country, and he would not be able for the present to comply with the request of the American Minister. This answer came to Mr. Weitzel in a formal note, which closed with the request that the forces of the United States be employed to protect American citizens in Nicaragua.
    The fact is that the Nicaraguan Government, with a depleted treasury and a condition of starvation among portions of the population, is confronted with an impossible situation. The long delay in the American loan, which depends upon the ratification of the Nicaraguan treaty, has thrown the Nicaraguan Government into financial despair.
    Minister Weitzel yesterday, after receiving the request that this country protect American property in Nicaragua, demanded of Gen. Mena that the property that had been seized be returned, and at once asked Commander Terhune of the Annapolis at Corinto to land a force to protect American property. Within a few minutes a hundred bluejackets were landed. At 3:30 o'clock yesterday afternoon they reached Managua, and quiet was restored there for the time being.
    The Tacoma is on the way from Guantanamo to Bluefields, and will probably reach there to-morrow. The collier Justin arrived at Corinto to-day, but she has only a merchant crew, and would be of use simply to give protection to the cable station.
    To-day's advices regarding the Nicaraguan revolution report that the Government forces have been defeated at Tipa-tapa, near Managua. Leon will probably be declared in a state of siege because of the release of a large number, of political prisoners. The Government expects to protect the San Juan del Sur cable station.