The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1893-10-01
a PROJECT OF FEDERATION.
1t May Result in a Congress of the
Five Central American Republics.
I1rov,, tbn Nav, Nvnr1y

the presidents of tho five republics of
Central America have within a short
time expressed a desire for the formation
of a federal union, under which the sew
eral governments may exist together in
harmony, and may be relieved from those
civil and inter republican wars which
have brought so many evils upon them.
The question is of the highest interest to
the countries concerned, and ii is attact-
ing notice in the diplomatic circles of all
the governments with which these coun-
tries have political or commercial rela-
tons. Our own relations with Central
America are highly important and are al
ways under consideration in the state de-
parCment
There is an authentic report from
Managua that the new government of
Nicaragua has formally invited the other
republics to unite with it as member Of
a great Central American Federation, TO
be established upon broad principles that
shall be mutually accepta bic, and shall he
maintained with all the power at the
command of the parties in inter- st.
President Zelaya recently sent a diplo-
matte agent to Guatemala to promote this
object, and it is understood that the
agent, Gen. Baca, received a satisfactory
amount of encouragement. The facts in
the case have doubtless been communi-
cated to our government by DIR. Horatio,
the Nicaraguan minister in Wash
ington. The constituent assembly is now
in session at Managua, and the federal
project is to be laid before it by Zelaya,
whose party was successful in the August
elections There is, of course, always
danger that the project will end In smoke,
as the country is never safe against revo-
luton but if President Zelaya shall be
able to retain his power in Nicaragua, he
will surely adhere TO his cherished pur
pose of organizing federation of repub-
lies.
1t was believed at one time that the
government of San Salvador would pre-
sent an insuperable obstacle to the carry
ing out of the federal project; but this
opinion has been dispelled, at least in
some measures, by President Ezeta. He
declares thai he does not stand in opposi-
lion 10 the idea of federation, and merely
objects 10 the method of it that has been
proposed He desires that the Central
American capital shall be established in
his country, and he demands certain other
concessions which cannot easily be
granted by the four other governments,
He recently held a conference on the sub
ject with the Salvadorean military lead
ers, and it has been ascertained that
nearly all of them regard the project with
disIavor, holding that the country should
always maintain an attitude of complete
Independence, and should refuse to sub
NIT to the dictation of other powers in
any matter whatever. President EZeta
may be able to overcome these objections
before the meeting of the general Central
American congress.
The government of Guatemala, both I'M
der President Barrios and his successor.
President Reyna, has taken ground in
favor Of the fedora iOn. In recent in
terview, President Reyna spoke hopefully
of the prospect of forming it, saying that
it must be founded in q peaceable spirit
by peaceful means, and that allowance
must be made for the prejudices and
predictions Of all the countries consent
ing to its formation. The population Of
Guatemala are anxious that the general
congress of delegates shall be convened as
soon as possible, and will be represented
in it by federatiOnists of a progressive
kind.
The government of Honduras is even
more DESTROYS of federation than any
other government excepting that of Mic
aragua. The newly elected chief of state,
President Vasquez, whose predecessor in
Office was Gen. Leiva, has given his views
on the subject in direct language, and he
has the backing of the Hondurasian con-
gress He is an astute and determ ined
politician, and it is not improbable that
he will take q leading part in the new
movement for the reorganization of the
public system of Central America.
Very little is known here concerning
the attitude of the government of Costa
Rica toward the project, but there are
reasons for believing that that country
will not stand aloof if it be found that a
federation can be peacefully constituted
President Rodriguez is not unaware Of
the course of events.
1t is conceivable that the project of fed
GRAFTON may be carried into effect soon
after the assemblage of the congress Of
Central American republics. 1t will be a
novelty in the history of that part of the
world. Seventy years ago federation
was there formed which lasted for six
teen years and subsequently there were
several attempts to re-establish it. one Of
whice was in 1872, when the five countries
held a conference, in which the prospects
were hopefnl for time, but which closed
without securing the desired result.
At this moment peace exists in Central
America, but there can be 10 assure nee
of it's continuance for any length Of time
in any one of the republics. Within a
month there have been revolutionary
troubles or threats in all of them, excep-
ting Costa Rica. President Zelaya Of
Nicaragua, who but recently obtained
power, holds his Office against the in
trigues Of the conservative party and
against military cCnspira ors, who may
any day get the upper hand. President
Ezeta of San Salvador is in a sea Of
troubles, by which he may at any time be
overwhelmed. President Vasquez Of
Honduras. who was elected this month, is
already threatened by his rival, Elk
President Leiva, and by the revolution
airy leader; Gen. Bonilla. Pr sident
Reyna OF Guatemala has maintained the
peace during the brief period in which he
has held once, but one of
his pre- Iecessors is already plotting
for his overthrow Not only are there in
tcrnal commoJio in the republics, but
nearly all OF them are on bad terms with
each other. They have fought one another
so often that there has been no time ever
TO form any lasting bonds of friendship,
or to establish any mutual and abiding
interests, or to agree upon any definite
policy. Besides all these things the per-
sonai ambition Of the mill airy politicians
of the Central American countries is
boundless. If a federation we're formed.
there would probably be war TO decide
who should be president OF it, and yot
o her wars before old scores could be
settled
Nevertheless the advocates Of fedora
tion profess TO be hopeful. and express the
belief that each country will make such
CONCESSION & are found TO be necessary
By the delegates assembled in the Central
American congress.