National Republican., 1885-03-13

OF the five Central American states
Guatemala is the northernmost and con
tains tho greatest population. Honduras
adjoins II on the south, aud is second in
population. Nominally Guatemala is a
republic ruled by ON elective president
Actually II is ruled by an irresponsible
dospot in the person of Barrios. Its
legislative body is composed of his own
creatures selected by himself, and its do.
croos arc such as he dictates. Elections
arc conducted under tho supervision of
the bayonot, which registers returns pre-
ordained by Barrios. In all respects no
is supreme, the life aud property Of those
est caprice. Honduras is ruled by ono Of
his deputies, and for all practical purposes
is under his control. though reputod to
be an independent state. The two
states contain population together
Of 100000, against population Of l,0i7,-
600 contained in the three smaller states
of San Salvador, Nicaragua, and Costa
Rica. It is to bring those three smaller,
but moro highly civilized, states under
his brutal control that Barrios has pro-
posed to launch against them tho forces
Of Guatemala and Honduras. His cupid
ity has been excited by tho prospect Of
the expenditure OF vast sums Of money
in prosecuting the construction Of the pro-
posed Nicaraguan canal, and it is mani
fest that his main purpose is to acquire
control of its route, prevent the ratifica-
tion of tho present treaty, aud sell the
canal privilege to the power that will
pay him the greatest subsidy.
The local organ in Washington of the
new sdminis istration informs the public
that this SIS q matter with which this
country has no particular concern" and
adds, at will be tias enough to consider
our obligations to support the autonomies
of the Central American states when tho
ambitious schemes attributed to Con.
Barrios have assumed more positive and
Ineligible shape" Supposing this rep
resents Mr.. Bayard's views, it may well
bo inquired how Barrios's schemes could
take any moro positive and intelligible
shape" than a formal declaration of war
and an avowod purpose to invade and
conquer Nicaragua with which we have a
treaty pending guaranteeing us import
ant concessions. Under this curious con-
dition of ignorance in regard to tho de-
signs Of Barrios it Is fair to conclude the
administration would undertake to CON
slider our obligations to support the au-
tonomies Of the Central American states"
at some period subsequent to their subju-
CATION by him, when the consideration OF
our obligations might lead to tho conclu-
sion that after oil this country had suffi-
cient concern In the matter to bo obliged
to drive Barrios from Nicaragua by force
of arms.
We have no patience with tho feeble,
timid policy of indifference outlined by
the administration organ. We have i'm.
portant interests in Nicaragua that have
been recognized and considered worthy Of
defense by both democratic and republi,
can administrations during long series
of years past In this case--possibly with
sinister secret foreign instigation at the
bottom of it-those interests were threat
ened in n way that patriotic feeling
should have been quick to resent. 1t wa'
not necessary to declare war upon Bar
rios. The mere notice that the United
States would not permit him to carry ou
his schemes would suffice to stop him ant
preserve the peace of our weaker siste
republics.
Is this nation to bo dishonored ani
disgraced and civil war to devastato Cen
tra America while Secretary Bayard /
making up his policy? Make haste
President Cleveland.