A Central American Treaty.

New York Times 100 years ago today, June 1, 1913:
    If President Wilson is to sign, as reported, a treaty securing to the United States not only the perpetual and exclusive right to dig a canal between the oceans in Nicaragua, but also a naval station on the west coast of that country, together with the possession of several small islands in the near-by waters, it is clear that the Administration favors the institution of more intimate relations with Central America. We have made such treaties before. Nicaragua is unlikely to be the prey of predatory revolutionists with the United States war vessels forever in one of its harbors; any political troubles the little State may have will more likely be genuine, and they will generally be settled, too, by the democratic method, at the polls, instead of by resort to arms.
    The United States will never exercise its right to dig another inter-oceanic canal, and there is not much likelihood that a Nicaragua waterway could be capitalized as a rival to the Panama Canal by any foreign country. But the establishment of a naval base for the United States on the Gulf of Fonseca is a matter of immediate importance, and we hope that the plan may not miscarry. It will not only be useful in case any of the troubles follow the opening of the ship canal which constitutionally apprehensive people like to imagine, but it will strengthen our neighborly relations with all of Central America, especially with Nicaragua, Honduras, and Salvador.