The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1895-07-11
THE CENTRAL AMERICAN UNION.

The recent attempts OF the Central
American republics 10 form a confedera-
ton with strong and stable government
which would command the respect OF the
other nations OF the world have proved
iamentable failures. There Is every In
dication that the trade between Puget
sound and these republics IL destined to
assume large proportions. and those
whose attention has been directed TO that
section because of the possibilities offered
TO immigrants, traders and general in
yestors viii regret that the efforts to ere
ate a dignified central government. which
would preserve domestic peace and guar
antee law and order. have proved fruit
less.
There is q widespread desire among the
Central American people for some sort OF
a union which would make the republics
and enable them to guard against any az
gression from the nations of Europe. A
scheme OF federation was recently drawn
up based upon the government OF the
United States as model. 1t provides that
a general congress with limited authority
should be established; that a general ex-
ecutive with prescribed powers should be
elected. but that each republic should re-
tain its separate autonomy. The plan was
carefully gotten up and seemed attractive.
but differences so pronounced arose as to
render any agreement impossible and dis
sipated any hope for union of republics
in the very near future.
A conference for outlining a scheme
OF confederation was recently called at
Amapaia in Honduras. Although the
project was generally popular one,
only three Of the I'VE presidents attended.
Guatemala is the most important of the
Central American states, having nearly
as large a population as all the others
combined. and her president, Barrios.
would not participate unless the suprem-
acy OF tis country was conceded. which
implied his own election 20 the federal
presidency. Costa Rica was equally OBJ
stinats and her young executive, 1gle-
sias, would have nothing TO do with the
a portion OF her territory to him and he
was granted a measure OF power incom-
patible with the equality OF the repub-
lies under the federal system
An obstacle was struck. therefore.
which at the very start indicated that
there was little hope OF a reconciliation Of
differences. And very soon 1t became evil
dent that even with disposition to yield
on the part of Barrios and Iglesias, there
were other difficulties which could not be
overcome. The question Of debts, am
nesty 10 political offenders and surrender
of fugitive rebels proved sources OF inter-
minable dispute. and the revival OF long
standing controversies over boundaries
proved conclusively that the labors of the
conference would be prohtless. 1t was
adjourned without accomplishing any
thing, and the work OF creating federal
union must be postponed until better
tempers and a more compromising spirit
is shown by the representatives Of the
states interested.
1t is generally agreed that the solution
OF the vexed problems incident to the for
nation Of a Central American confedera-
ton lies mainly with President Barrios.
He thinks himself the Bismarck OF Gem
trail America. but has shown disposition
TO "hog" everything. He has old quarrels
with Honduras and Nicaragua, and there
were apprehensions year or two ago
that he might attempt to subJugate them
both aud Incorporate them into larger
republic. OF which he would be dictator.
No doubt his influence is commanding.
and he could work great good were he
so inclined. but SO long as he is so ambl-
tious, imperious and obstructive as at pres
ent there is little likelihood, save through
a revolution and his removal. that the
wishes OF the more intelligent class OF
people viii be carried out in the formation
OF a strong and stable federal union OF
.asn