The herald., 1895-05-27
New Treaties Have Been En-
tered Into by Republics
CENTRAL AMERICAN NATION
Mutual Defensive and Offensive Alli-
ance Formed
Text Of the Agreement Entered Into by the
Countries That Hitherto Rejoiced In
Chance to Fight
Associated Press Special Wire.


WASHINGTON. May 26.-New treaties
of far reaching importance have recently
oeen made between Nicaragua and Hon.
duras 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 18th of last month.
They are the first practical steps toward
the formation of Central American
nation out of several small republics Nj
caragua. Honduras, Guatemala, Salvador
and Costa Rica. The first treaty forms
a defensive alliance in case of foreign war
and an offensive alliance against the COM
mon enemies. 1t obliterates commercial
frontiers so that foreign goods once ad-
mitted to one country are free to enter
another. An express provision is made
againe the possibility of war between the
countries by an article requiring the
dI fferences to be adjusted by arbitration
by some government on the American
continent.
Article So is one looking to union in
q single nation and is as follows:
The high contracting parties solemnly
declare that they cannot and will not con-
slider as foreign the other Central Ameri-
can countries and tnat they will labor
constantly to maintain the family bonds
and the greatest cordiality in their
relations, making common cause, which
in case of war or difficulties with foreign
countries and mediating IN their inter-
national relations. The present treaty
will be submitted TO their consideration,
inviting them to subscribe to it as a COM
mon Central American treaty until the
arrival of the day when they shall be IN
corporated in single nation"
The detailed features OF the treaty show
the closeness of the alliance now formed
between Nicaragua and Honduras.
Article one binds the governments to
''unify their foreign policies; to act
Jointly in matters, concerning Oehtrai
America, and to endeavor to bring about
the same uniformity and harmony with
the other governments OF Central Amer
ica.''
The article pledging a mutual offensive
/ and defensive alliance is as follows:
Both governments declare that there
shall exist between :them defensive al
lance in case of foreign war and an
offensive one against common enemies.
Article four arranges plan OF arbitra
ton affecting all Central American
states. succeeding articles agree on uni
form postal tariffs and all other laws,
uniform Diplomatic representation abroad
etc.
In every way possible the boundary
line is wiped out and the countries form
complete political union or alliance.
Article nineteen expresses the text OF
this union as follows:
These contracting governm entS deslrous
| of acting jointly in everything affecting
| their interests, besides endeavoring to
make uniform their foreign policy and to
| have a common representative before
| other nations. shall endeavor to agree
| upon basis upon which they shall con-
| clude subsequent treaties with foreign
nations and make concessions to stean-
ship, railroad and other companies.
Article 80. against war on 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 ex
| pressly stipulated that neither of the con-
| tracting p;iities shall order or authorize
| acts Of reprsal, nor declare war until
| all peaceful methods of satisfaction or
agreement have been exhausted. These
! means shall be the setting forth in me-
MORALS of offenses or damages inflicted
| with competent proofs or testimony to
be presented by the aggrieved govern
| menu, and should such satisfaction be de-
MED, the decision of the matter shall be
| submitted to the arbitration of one of the
| governments of Central America or the
| American continent.
| There has been more or less conjecture
| as to the formation of a Central Ameri-
| can nation but this treaty appears to be
the first practical step towads its accomp-
lishment. Its proclamation at Teguci-
galpa on April 18th was followed by a
meeting at Managua of the ministers of
Salvador, Honduras and the other repub-
| lies with a view to carrying ont article SO
of the acceptance of the treaty by all
countries. The text of another Nicarag-
uan- Honduras treaty has also been re-
ceived. 1t provides for arbitration OF
their boundary question by commission
TO be chosen by the two countries and il
an agreement of the commission is not
made, then Spain is constituted an arbi-
| traitor.