Plan To Control Isthmian Republics

New York Times 100 years ago today, July 20, 1913:
Bryan in Nicaragua Suggestion Hints at New Policy Toward Central America.
TO PROTECT THE CANAL
Would Alter Proposed Treaty to Prevent Wars or Compacts Not Sanctioned by Us.
    WASHINGTON, July 19.— A new policy toward Nicaragua, virtually involving control of the affairs of that republic by the United States through a protectorate similar to that now exercised over Cuba, was outlined today by Secretary Bryan, at a private conference with the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
    Mr. Bryan's proposal, coming as a complete surprise to most of the members of the committee, is regarded by some Senators as the pronouncement of a general policy on the part of the Administration to extend American control over the countries surrounding the Panama Canal, and to assure the stability of Central American republics and the domination by the United States of their relations with other great powers.
    Secretary Bryan went before the committee with a revised draft of the proposed Nicaraguan treaty, first negotiated in the Taft administration, by which the United States would obtain exclusive canal rights across Nicaragua and a new naval base, in exchange for $3,000,000 in gold.
    As a new feature of the treaty, however, the Secretary of State proposed that language similar if not identical with the so-called "Platt amendment" relating to Cuba, be injected in the treaty, giving the United States sweeping control of Nicaraguan affairs, and the power to regulate her foreign relations and finances.
    Under the proposed plan Nicaragua would bind itself to the following terms:
    That war should not be declared without the consent of the United States.
    That no treaties would be made with foreign Governments that would tend to destroy her independence, or that would give those Governments a foothold in the republic. That no public debt would be contracted beyond the ordinary resources of the Government, as indicated by the ordinary revenues.
    That the United States should have the right to intervene at any time to preserve Nicaraguan independence, or to protect life or property. That the United States should have the exclusive right to build a canal across Nicaragua, and should have a ninety-nine-year lease to a naval base in the Bay of Fonseca and to the Great Corn and Little Corn Islands in the Caribbean, with the privilege of renewing the lease. It is understood the Nicaraguan Government is willing to enter into the proposed treaty, because of the stability it would give to the present Diaz Government, and to the proposed reorganization of the final affairs of the republic. Secretary Bryan and members of the committee refused to discuss the nature of the conference further than to say that it took in the whole scope of Nicaraguan affairs. The plan suggested became the subject of informal discussion among members of the committee, and it was said that it would receive much support from both Democrats and Republicans.
     Senators to-night professed to believe that should American influence be extended over Nicaragua's affairs, as suggested by Mr. Bryan, it would be followed by efforts to negotiate similar treaties with all of the republics in Central America. Many Senators favor such a course, contending that it is necessary to the permanent safety and control of the Panama Canal.