The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1890-07-07
GENITAL hMERrolN UNION
Its BRIGHT Prospects Obseured By Recent
Occurrences in Salvador.

It's Bright Prospects Obseured By Recent
Occurrences In Salvador.
WASHINGTON July 6-0ur Government has
always expressed whenever the occasion re-
auired, tho friendly interest OF the people Of
the United States In the project to combine
Guatemala, Honduras. Salvador, Costa Rica,
and Nicaragua in federation resembling our
own. Five years ago, when Barrlos, at the
head OF a Guatemalan army. attempted to
force such union upon Salvador by the sword,
our Government. in declaring that this act OF
violence must not be accomplished, added
that It regarded q voluntary union OF the
Central American States as desirable Mexico
took nearly the same ground, declaring that 1t
did not object to federation II entered Into
voluntarily by the 1--WE States.
Accordingly when last autumn conference
OF representatives OF the five States at San
Salvador formulated a system OF provisional
union, to DO carried into effect after its ratlflca
tion by the individual States our country looked
favorably upon the project. The five states
would have an area Of about $4,000 square
miles and population OF more than 100000.
United they would be better able to de-
fend themselves against foreign aggression,
and presumably with common government
and common interests they would escape some
OF the present liabilities to strife with each
other. Common citizenship and common sys-
TENS OF laws and regulations OF trade would
aid all interests. while the im Importance OF this
part OF America In view OF future inter-
oceanic canal communication. has made COM
mercal and political union still moro urgent.
Up to q few weeks ago everything seemed
favorable to this project. The conditional as
sent OF the executive authorities OF the Ave
States had boen duly given. In some instances
notifications OF tho plan were suggested. the
President OF Costa RIGA. for example, desiring
additional stipulatioLs for the liberty OF the
PRESS the Presidential succession, and the pro.
lection OF life. and sending commissioners to
each OF the other four republics on these
points. II is true that all these executive
approvals OF the draft OF the scheme made at
San Salvador were subject to ratification by
the respective Legislatures or Congresses OF
the States. Guatemala, Honduras, and Sal
vador. however, furnished this ratification.
and while the Legislatures OF Costa Rica and
Nicaragua held back. 1t was possibly consid-
cred that their attitude required greater cau-
ZION IRON their regular relations to me Inter
with each other. But now the overthrow OF
President Menendez in Salvador. although to
project seemed obscure at the time, may. II Is
feared crystalline the various elements OF op-
position against the plan OF union.
According to the terms OF the treaty. as the
agreement at San Salvador was called, the
Presidents of tho five States were to meet at
Goth Of August next. and there decide by lot
which Of them snould be the President OF the
twelve months. The date Sept Is was fixed
upon for inaugurating the new Government
Hntil 100 the new union was to beo tenta-
vas was this feature which; 1t Vas honed; would
der Of things could not be regarded as finally
binding. although at any Intermediate period.
agreed to BY the five States. Until this definite
reside in the cepitaI Of HIS own State, and,
from each State. deal with foreign affairs A
Diet or Chamber of deputies; tho same num-
dents capital, is to form the Legislative
part OF the system. But upon tho definite
a a19R pr Tg4H Is to be
the republic. Meanwhile one member Of Of the the
will act as Secretary Of State, and the agree
ment Of the majority Of the ,eommittee II nee
His functions will be at present confined Chief
ly to administering foreign affairs and appoint
Ing diP 3k osers SN whlsh SFe hereafter 9
States for deence should any Of the@
disputes between States and Is to prom pity ap-
point Commission OF an equal number Of
end % Tst year. ,he
four Presidents Of States who are not chosen
BY lot at the rst election will draw for the Sec
ond term; then the remaining three for the
While this careful provision for giving each
State its share OF terms In the Presidency
limited power OF the general Government
during the provisional period Is calculated TO
afSxS SnHt fh he %s
system. apprehens In regard to 1t eeems to
have increased. Costa Rica and Nicaragua
ratification. and meanwhile the opposition
to federation in those two States has taken
tho form OF urging dual league between
spectre Of Guatemalan heRemony. which has
parayzed SO many previous efforts at con-
federation, Is again on the horizon, In the
that Guatemalan Is bent on having q successor
to Menendez elected in Salvador who will
support her policy; that Honduras Is siding
to Costa Rica and Nicaragua for help. and
that instead Of the Ave States uniting on the
18TH OF September by that time the three
But while the outlook for Central American
union is thus less favorable than hitherto. the
case Ia far from desperate. Although Costa
Kica and Nicaragua have not yet fully sane
toned It. the Presid ents OF both States have
pronounced themselves in Its favor, and. In
whole republic will naturally attract ali i've
EXECUTIVES TO- take part in the election OF
nqs 60 mKf sr deed datG asS bRspe o "a
Guatemala win the prize for the first year, fear
Of that powerful State might make trouble
St euS hsr ssoed
not meanwhile carefully guard against even
the appearance OF exercising undue pressure
viii viii at least disclaim any such purpose. lest lest
the project OF union should be destroyed at the
moment OF fruition.