7 JANUARY 1928, Page 6

* A reverse to the American Marines in Nicaragua has

come at an unfortunate moment, as the Pan-American Conference is about to meet at Havana. This Conference is being taken very seriously by the State Department at Washington. Strong representatives are being sent in order that the American case may be well presented. The fact is that there are internal aspects of the Monroe Doctrine which make the Republics of Central and South America look upon it very differently from Americans or even Europeans, who accept it as a calming and settling influence. The Central American Republics in particular are apt to argue that 'the solidity and peace of the Western hemisphere is maintained only by the rough clonal-nation of the United States. President Diaz of Nicaragua is kept in office by the help of the United States Marines. He will be represented at the Havana Conference, but so also will the insurgents: There- fore the American reverse in Nicaragua, which in ordinary times would have had few repercussions, may become a matter of considerable importance.

* * *