The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1890-07-26
ckNTRAL AMERICAN EoRCEs
The Military ESTABLISHMENTS and tho Re-
nonrenn Of the ElHn RennhlIcn.


sources OF the Five Republics.
WASHINGTON, July 25.-Although we speak
" Little Salvador" In comparing her with thu
moro powerful nelghbor against whom che Il
arrayed the term is doceptive Smallest II
area OF the Central American republics sh
certainly is. having length OF about ITO miles
an average breadth OF 40. and containing onll
| 1928 square miles. This is but little NOR
than third OF the area OF Costa Rics. no
much above q sixth Of that OF Honduras, lesI
than q sixth OF Guatemalas, which containt
46,7T4 square miles, and less than q seventh o
| Nicaraguas. which contains 81 600. Salvador
| however, Is much tho most densely peupled o.
the five republics. Whllo the population O
| Guatemala at the beginning OF last year wat
1.42L116, that OF Salvador must have been al
loast about half ns great at that time, since q
count in 1887 had given her GG4,5l3 inhab.
itants. She Is easily the second Of tho flvo re.
publics in population. and has for long time
disputed the efforts OF the latter to leadership
in Central America. Perhaps she aspres hor.
self to be tho keystone OF the arch. holding on
intermediate position between tho two north.
ern republics and the two southern. She has
double the population OF Honduras, which in
the census OF 1887 showed 1871 .017 inhabitants
and OF course greatly SURPRISES Nicaragua
which the year previous was credited with
2G2272, and also Costa Rlca which about the
same time had 2l3,7S5.
While these figures reveal the extreme nu-
merlcal possibilities OF the flvo republics for
recruiting their armies. their existing military
forces show results relatively somewhat diffor-
emit In consequence OF the different degrees OF
importance attached by them to standing
armies and also to tho differences in their flnnn-
cial condition. Guatemala. which has nearly
as many PEOPLE rs the four other republics
combined, has n still greater preponderance in
her regular army, yet is not in good financial
shape for going 10 war. Nominally the actl, Q
troops Of Guatemala are l2,5OO strong. which
would give about hal as large an army Is our
own: but actually the Lumber may be- less.
Her militia is put down at 10000 men, and this
force might fairly be increased ny taking in
such numbers MS are wrongly ascribed to the
regulars. Salvador maintains an active army
OF only 2,0O0 men, with milItia OF l2.OuQ The
reports imply that sEe mas actually mobilized
a mich greater force than is ascribed TO her
Honduras is said to keep up an army OF only
800 men, with militia Of 5000; and she is JUS
in view Of the condition Of her finances and her
large foreign debt. Besides, since her pc icy is
so closely allied with that OF Guatema ala. whom
she Is backing UP now a. In 1888, she can
leave TO her more powerful neiRhbor. the task
OF furnishing the bulk OF their combined mill.
need OF troops In view Of her rotations TO tho
inter-oceanic canal, maintains 200 men. with
Of 9 Io9o ana G s6s
is in good military trim. and having a very
small debt she Is in good financial, circum-
Costa Rica has 600 men on her active list with
militia OF $4,000. This little State has of late
years several times bristed up in bebIiiFerens
military force OF the latter Her late Presi::
dent. Gen: Bernardo Soto Is probably one OF
took lively interest In the military affairs OF
the republic. having, under him Carazo and
Fernandez as general officers.
Should Salvador receive the hearty support
OF Costa itica and Nicaragua she would evil
IDENTITY he ahle to make good stand AGAINST
Soil. But the question OF their attitude In the
present difficulty Is not quite clear. They arc
lug the I prorosed Central american Union,
concerning which they are palpqbly inclined
10 ,temporlze.. They supported the cause of
hut Laldivar. wh9 then successfully resisted
the invasion OF Barrios. was, eyond dispute.
30, for years whereas Eseta. her provisional
ruler now, governs IN virtue OF his sudden
overthrow, Of Menendoz, who had been his
friond. and his title Is not unQuestioned
faction in Salvador lighting Ezeta, and that 1t
was this faction. lerhaps aided by Guetemalan
battIe recently reported. They cite the, fact
that the commandng General was Eillavlcen-
also speak contid,n tly of Costa Rca and Mica
ragun uniting with Guatemala and Honduras
they evidently take counsel o. their wishes;
Ezetas banner Is that Of opposition to Central
American union; Now. although Nicaragua
union through their respective Presidents. yet
both have postponed until 1891 legislative
acti IN upon 1t for its ratification or rejection:
Costa Rica however. hns courteousIy declared
that she does SO without prejudice to anything
that may be effected under the plan for start
ing the machinery Of tho union this year.
At all events the foregoing are the forces and
resources which the countries concerned can
Immediately rely upon. Many OF the troops
are well armed with modern rifles OF excellent
pattern. The talk OF Salvador having 16,uO0
men and Guatemala 10000 on the frontier
wonld imply tho mobiizng already OF q large
past Of the second line or militia reserve: but
these reports are doubtless, grossly eXaRger-
ated. and neit her country is likely to have nut
more than few thousand men into the field.
The situation Is complicated by the fact that
both countries may find all they wish to do In
taking care OF internal dissensions; for II
Guatemala harbors malcontent Salvadorians.
who find their opportunity now 10 make
trouble. Mexico has long had her colony Of
GuRtemRan refugees. And this consideration
leads to another point OF importance. which Is
the possibility Of Mexico taking hand in the
fight. Should she do So 1t would be on the
side OF Salvador She has q chronic boundary
dispute with Guatemala and her aid IL given.
would be in an invasion Of the la liter from her
own southern State OF Chiapas whore several
troops are said to be stationed then.
should she be successful In the war. she would
probably indemnify herself by q slice from
Guatemala's northern border.