The morning call., 1892-04-11
CENTRAL AMERICAN PROGRESS.

The Government of Salvador has offered
to the South American Steamship Com.
pany a subsidy of $4,000 the first year, $4,000
the second year and $500 the third year 70
a monthly steamship service between Pam
anna and the ports of Salvador. 1t APPEARS
to be expected that similar subventions will
Ice granted by Guatemala, Costa Rica and
Nicaragua, and there is no reason why
Mexico should not follow the example. II
is not stated that tie steamers will run as
far north as San Francisco, though if they
are wisely managed they viii. There is
more business 10 be picked up here than at
Panama, and merchants in the Central
American trade would only be too happy to
get even with the Pacific Mail by patroniz-
ing rival line.
The movement must be studied in connec-
ton with the meeting which is now being
held at the city Of San Salvador to revive the
scheme of Central American federal union.
This meeting was convened by the Presi
dent OF Honduras, and Nicaragua, Costa
Rica and Guatemala promptly agreed TO
send representatives. Senior EZeta of Sal
yador processes to be enthusiastically in
favor of union. He said in his last message
TO his Legislature: THE most glorious day
in my public life will be the one when, un-
der the sanction Of the people of Salvador,
l shall deliver over the authority hold into
the hands OF the Federal Government of
Central America" Nor can the election of
young Barrios to the Presidency Of Gnate-
mala be viewed otherwise than as an nd-
cation OF the popularity of union in that
State. Central American union was the
life dream of the late General Barrios. He
lost his life in fighting for it. It is natural
to suppose that his nephew shares his views,
and the support he received at the election
from ex-President Darillas indicates that
the people are of the same mind.
There is thus fair chance that the long
deferred project may now be eonsummated.
couple OF years ago Costa Rica was slow
TO acquiesce. Minister Miner thought it
worth while to 90 down to San Jose 10
poipt out to the Costa Rcans the advanta
they would derive from union. LatterIy q
partial failure or the coffee crop in that
State has made the Costa Ricans less conf
dent in their own resources, and they are
likely to be more pliable. Nicaragua has
always been willing to go in, provided the
Federal Government agreed to set up no
claims over the canal There appears to be
no reason why the federal union should not
be carried into effect If the leading men of
Central America can overcome their petty
provincial jealousies of one another.
A Central American confederacy, COM
prising the territory which was included in
tie old federal union, would contain about
., 100000 peopie-quite enough 10 form a re-
spectacle nation. Among these there is a
sufficient infusion of old Spanish blood to
render the population capable of intelligent
self-gOvernment There is an ample labor
supply for the cultivation of the main
staple of the country, which is ctffee; and
as the plantations of Costa Rica and Sal
vador have lately been turning out a bean
which is superior to the average Rio coffee,
there is no reason why Central America
Should not compete with Brazil for the
coffee supply Of the world. 1t would not
take very large increase of acreage to pro-
duce as large supply as Brazil now fur
nishes. and the quality would be better.
Central America Can also largely increase
It's yield of rubber. indigo, sugar, hides and
bananas, all Of which could be easily mar
keted ut this port
On the political advantages of Central
American unity it is unnecessary to enlarge.
When Central America becomes a nation il
will rise to sense of its responsibilities.
and the petty quarrels and disturbances
: which have hitherto impeded its progress
Will cease. All the countries of chrisiendom
would welcome il into the family of nations
IL would rise as Mexico has risen, from 9