ellow
citizens for mere personal advantages, Gonzalez sustained the good
reputation of Costa Rica for freedom from civil commotions by quietly
leaving the country and going to the United States to present his case.
In consequence, the American Government declined to recognize the de
facto ruler.

Police and fiscal supervision by the United States has characterized
the recent history of Panama. Not only has a proposed increase in the
customs duties been disallowed, but more than once the unrest attending
presidential elections has required the calming presence of American
officials. As a means of forestalling outbreaks, particularly in view
of the cosmopolitan population resident on the Isthmus, the republic
enacted a law in 1914 which forbade foreigners to mix in local politics
and authorized the expulsion of naturalized citizens who attacked the
Government through the press or otherwise. With the approval of the
United States, Panama entered into an agreement with American financiers
providing for the creation of a national bank, one-fourth of the
directors of which should be named by the Government of the republic.

The second period of American rule in Cuba lasted till 1909. Control of
the Government was then formally transferred to Jose Miguel Gomez, the
President who had been chosen by the Liberals at the elections held in
the previous year; but the United States did not cease to watch over its
chief Caribbean ward. A bitter controversy soon developed in the Cuban
Congress over measures to forbid the further purchase of land by aliens,
and to insure that a certain percentage of the public offices should
be held by colored citizens. Though both projects were defeated, they
revealed a strong antiforeign sentiment and much dissatisfaction on the
part of the negro population. It was clear also that Gomez, intended to
oust all conservatives from office, for an obedient Congress passed a
bill suspending the civil service rules.

The partisanship of Gomez, and his supporters, together with the
constant interference of military veterans in political affairs,
provoked numerous outbreaks, which led the United States, in 1912, to
warn Cuba that it might again be compelled to intervene. Eventually,
when a negro insurrection in the eastern part of the island menaced the
safety of foreigners, American marines were landed. Another instance
of intervention was the objection by the United States to an employers'
liability law th