New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-08-03
4 FIELD FOR MORAL INFL UENCE.

Tho disorders in Central America ana the
Plate countries continue in an aggravated form.
In Salvador the revolt against the revolution
has been suppressed with atroclOus severity.
General Rvas, taking advantage of General
Ezeta's absence with the main military force
on the frontier, headed a movement against the
revolutionary Government, and captured the
artillery barracks at the capital. General EZeta
returned Unexpectedly, rcgained possession OF
the barracks. and defeated his rivals army of
Indian malauders General RiyaS being taken
prisoner, was shot and his body exposed in the
Plaza ArmaS. The authority of the revolu-
tionary cabal is now restored in San Salvador,
and the army is again available for military
operations against Guatemala. The capital
within few weeks has been captured. be
sieged and recaptured by the victorious forces
which rose in inSurrection against the legally
established Government. II has been exposed
70 the prolonged horrors of civil war. and has
witnessed atrocities without parallel in the re-
cent annals of Central America.
In Argentina President Celman is making
the worst possible use of his triumph over a
revolution which was provoked by the spec
ulatiye and corrupt tendencies of his own adj
miniStratiQn His manifesto briStleS with dc
nunciationS of his enemies, and saddles upon
them the responsibility for the recent deplor-
able outbreak and bloodShed. \ more uncon-
ciatory and impolitic proclamation was never
issued Magnanimity in triumph is one OF the
highest Of civic virtues. President Celman, m
stead of rallying all classes TO the support OF
the Government by an opportlne display OF
generosity and moderation, rcpels sympathy by
his arrogant manifesto and undcrmneS public
confidence in the diScredItcd administration.
which has escaped overthrow only because the
insurgents found meagre supply OF ammuni-
ton in the arSenalS. President who can pass
through so dire crisis and emerge from II
with so low sense of public duty as Is revealed
in this ill-timed proclamation cannot be cX-
pected to deliver the country from IFS financial
cmharraSSmentS and civil strife Spectators
and gamblers will remain in control of Treas
ury and banking policy and of domestic legN-
lation. Rancorous resentments will be created
by the Presidents assumption Of high minded
patriotism and his intoerant denunciation Of
the in>enSate ambitions of his rivals. Financial
reforms will be indefinitely deferred, and pub
lie confidence in the stability of the Govern
ment will remain fatally impaired.
Each o. these disastrous revolutions enforceS
the chief moral of the Pan-American Confer
ence. Countries which are now brought into
intimate commercial intercourse with Europe
will be greatly benefited by closer and moro
harmonious relations with the United states.
Germans are now the most active traders IN
Central America, and the Plate countries have
received hofdes of immigrants from Italy and
Spain and immense masses Of capital from Eng
land but these commercial relations with Eu-
ropcan monarchical states have not tended
either to raise the standards OF republican GOV
eminent or to eradicate that passion for in
| triCue and bloodshed which is the chief blcmish
Of Spanish American character. The moral in
| nuence Of the United States needs 10 be strong
" exerted throughout this continent in the in
terest of humane government. civic liberty and
higher civilization. This can be done where
intimate commercial relations are established
and the continent is brought under the sway
Of the organized forces Of educated public opin-
ion. European civilization has not taught
Spanish America adherence Of assassination
political cabals. corrupt administration, official
lapacity and civil war. American ciyliza-
ton, beginning with compulsory arbitration a
a means Of averting warfare and ending with
government by and for the people, will have 4
magnificent field in these southern cOuntrc'
for benclicent moral work. The ilonroe Doc
trinc was good enough in it, day. Some
thing more practical than high sounding
phrase is now required in order that the high
ends of republican civilization may be worke,
out on this continent.