The Washington times., 1895-05-27
CENTRAL AMERICAN UNION
Nicaragua and Honduras Take
Practical Steps to This End.
IMPORTANT TREATY MAS MADE
Offensive and Defensive Alliance
Formed. Commercial Frontiers OBJ
liberated, and Possibility OF War
Guarded Against by a scheme Of
Arbitration.


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,
ana were finally put into effect 10y procla-
nation on the 18th of last month.
They are The first practical steps toward
the formation OF a Central American ma
tion out OF the several small republics
Nicaragua, Honduras, Guatemala, Salvador
and Costa Rica. The first treaty forms a
defensive alliance in case of foreign war,
and an offensive alliance against common
enemies. 1t oblitsrates commercial frontiers,
so that foreign goods, once admitted TO
one country, are free to enter the other.
WAR GUARDED AGAINST.
An express provision is made against the
possibility OF war between the countries
10y an article requiring differences TO be
adjusted by arbitrationby some government
on the American continent. Article LII
is the one looking 10 the union in single
nation, aud is as follows:
The high contracting parties soiemuly
declare that they cannot and Will not con-
slider as foreign the other Central American
countries, and that they will labor con
stantly 10 maintain the family bonds and
Il
the greatest cordiality i'll their rela lions,
OF war or difficulties with foreign coun-
tries, and mediating in their internal
relations. To this end the present treaty
viii be submitted to their consideration,
inviting them to subscribe to it as a common
Central American treaty, until the arrival
Of tie Gay when they shall be Incorporated
in single nation.
CLOSE ALLIANCE.
The detail features OF the treaty show
the closeness of the alliance now formed
between Nicaragua and Honduras. Article
l binds the governments to "unify their
foreign policy, to act Jointly in matters con-
corning Central America and to endeavor
TO bring about the same uniformity and
harmony with the other governments of
Central America"
The article pledging a mutual offensive
and defensive alliance is as follows:
Both governments declare that there
shall exist between them a defensive al
lance in case OF foreign war and an Of
fensive against common cHemies."
Article 4 arranges a plan OF arbitration
affecting all Central American states.
Succeeding articles agree on uniform postal,
tariff, and 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 19 expresses
the extent of this union as follows:
''The said contracting governments. de-
sirous OF acting Jointly in everything af-
fecting their interests, besides endeavor-
ing to make uniform their foreign policy
and to have a common representative be-
fore other nations, shall eDdeavor TO agree
upon a basis upon which they shall con-
clude subsequent treaties with foreign
nations and make concessions to steam
ship, railroad and other companies"
Article so. against war or reprisal,
is as follows:
"Should any Of the articles OF this
treaty be violated or infringed in any
way, or should any other cause OF dis
agreement 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 means of salts
faction or agreement shall have been ex-
haUsted.
PROVISION FOR ARBITRATION
These means shall be the setting forth in
memorials of the offeuses or damages in
nicted, with competent proofs or testimony
10 be presented by the aggrieved govern
meuts, and should due satisfaction be
deuied. the decision of the matter shall
be submitted to the arbitration If one OF
the governments of Central America. or
OF the American continent.
There has been more or less conjecture
as TO the formation of a central American
nation, but this treaty appears to be
! the first practical step towards Its ac-
eompIis bmeut. Its procla nation at
Tegucigalpa on April 10, was followed
/ by a meeting at Managua of he ministers
] of Salvador, Honduras and the other re-
1 publics with a view to carrying cut ar
ticle % for the acceptance OF the treaty
( by all of the countries.
The text of another Nicaragua Honduras
! treaty has also been received. 1t pro-
yides for the arbitration Of their boundary
/ question by commission, 10 be CHOSEN
! 10y the two countries, and if an agreement
/ on the commission is no. made. then Spain
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