Marines Poured In

There was one U. S. marine in Nicaragua late last week for every 200 Nicaraguans. There is approximately one soldier in the U. S. army for every 1,000 U. S. citizens. Therefore the number of U. S. marines in Nicaragua is proportionately as great as though the U. S. had sent half its entire army to fight a nation equal in population to the U. S. But, by repeated definition, the U. S. was not at war with Nicaragua; and, indeed, no Nicaraguan dared to shoot a U. S. marine. Developments. Besides pouring 1,600 more marines into Nicaragua, last week, until a total of 3,300 were policing 630,000 Nicaraguans, the Coolidge Administration despatched thither six heavy De Havilland bombing planes. This action appeared to have been taken because the army of President Adolfo Diaz of Nicaragua (recognized by the U. S.--TIME, Jan. 17) has recently suffered several defeats and lost the second most important city in Nicaragua (Matagalpa) to the army of President Juan B. Sacasa of Nicaragua (recognized by Mexico).