The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-05-27
UNITE FOR PROTECTION,
Sweeping Effect of the New
Observation-Disclosures
Treaty.
OTHER STATES WILL JOIN
The First Move for the Orpaniza-
ton Of Southern Republic
Has Been Made.

WASHINGTON, D. c., May 26.-New
treaties of far-reaching importance have
recently been made between Nicaragua
and Honduras, and official copies have
Just been received in Washington. The
treaties have been under negotiation for
some time, and were finally put into effect
by proclamation on the fifteenth of last
month. They are the first practical steps
toward the formation of a Central
American nation out of several small re-
publics-Nicaragua, Honduras, Guate-
mala, Salvador and Costa Rica.
The first treaty forms defensive alli-
ance in case OF foreign war, and an often
sive alliance against common enemies.
1t obliterates commercial frontiers, so that
foreign goods once admitted to one coun-
try are free to enter the other. An ex-
press provision is made against the pos
sibility of war between the countries by an
article requiring the differences to be ad-
justed by arbitration by some Government
on the American continent. Article LII is
the one looking to the union in a single ma
ton and is as follows:
The high contracting parties solemnly de-
clare that they cannot and will not consider as
foreign the other Central American countries,
and that they VIII labor constantly to main
tain the family bonds and the greatest cordial
ity in their relations, making common cause
in case of war or difficulties with foreign coun-
tries and mediating in their international re-
lations. The present treaty will be submitted
to their consideration inviting them to SUBJ
scribe to it as common Central American
treaty until the arrival of the day when they
shall be incorporated in single nation.
The detailed features of the treaty show
the closeness of the alliance now formed
between Nicaragua and Honduras Arti-
Gle l binds the Governments to unity their
foreign policy, to act jointly in matters
concerning Central America and to en-
deavor to bring about the same uniformity
and harmony with the other Governments
of Central America"
The article pledging mutual offensive
and defensive alliance is as follows:
Both Governments declare that there shall
exist between them a defensive alliance in
case of foreign war and an offensive one
against common enemies.
Article " arranges plan of arbitration
affecting all Central American States.
Succeeding articles agree on uniform
postal tariffs and all other laws, uniform
diplomatic representation abroad, etc.
In every way possible the boundary line
is wiped out and countries form complete
political union or alliance Article XIX
expresses the text of this union as follows:
These contracting Governments DESTROYS of
acting jointly in everything affecting their in
tereStS, besides endeaVoring to make uniform
their foreign policy and to have common rep
resentative before other nations, shall en-
deavor to agree upon basis upon which they
shall conclude subsequent treaties with for
eign nations and make concessions to steam
ship, railroad and other companies.
Article l., against war or reprisals, is:
Should any of the articles of this treaty be
violated or infringed in any way, or should any
other cause of disagreement between the two
republics arise, it is expressly stipulated that
neither of the contracting parties shall order
or authorize acts of reprisal, nor declare war
until all peaceful methods of satisfaction or
agreement have been exhausted. These means
shall be the setting forth in memorials OF
ofenses or damages inflicted, with competent
proofs or testimony to be presented by the
aggrieved Governments and should such salts
faction be denied the decision of the matter
shall be submitted to the arbitration of one OF
the Governments of Central America or of the
American continent.
There has been more or less conjecture
as to the formation of Central American
nation, but this treaty appears to be the
first practical step toward its accomplish
ment. It's proclamation at Tegucigalpa on
April Is was followed by meeting at
Managua of the Ministers of Salvador,
Honduras and the other republics with a
view to carrying out article LII of the &C
ceptance of the treaty by all the countries.
The text of another Observation-Disclosures
ran treaty has also been received. 1t pro-
vides for the arbitration of their boundary
uuestion bV commission to he chosen nv
the two countries, and if an agreement OF
the commission is not made then Spain is
constituted as arbitrator.