The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-08-19
REPUBLIC MAY COLLAPSE.
POSSIBLE FdTE OF THE GREATER
REPUBLIC OF CENTRAL A ERICA.

Costa RIcn ana Guatemala Not Likely to Enter
the Courederntion-Thr Rcpubiic Erpcctcdte
60 to Pleces-ur No. It May lfe Followed by
War which VIII Involve All tho states.
WASHINGTON. Aug. lS.-Adviccs from Near
nRua Indicate that Costa Rica and Guatemala
will in all probability refuse to proceed further
with the scheme for the consolidation Of the Ave
republics OF Central America into ono nation,
and that the present Greater Republic, COM
prising Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua, will
disiutcgrate at an early date. Since Senior Don
Rodcriguoz, the present Minister to this country
from Central America, notified Secretary Sher.
man that Capt. Merry was persona non grnta to
his Government as Minister, tho officials OF
the State Department have been wrestling with
the question how to overcome or obviate
that objection. 1t was known that the
people of Nicaragua, and the officials Of
that country as well, wcro favorably inclined to
Capt. Merry, but under the terms of tho act
creating tho new republic the several States had
surrendered their right to receive or to appoint
representative from or to foreign Governments,
30 the Nicaraguan Government was unable to
make It's presence effective, and It was further
believed, at least in the department, that the
objections TO Capt. Merry on the part of Saliva
dor and Honduras were frivolous In their me-
turc.
The matter has been presented to President
Mckinley and n full statement: OF all the facts in
the case is now before him. 1t Is not probable,
however, especially In view of these later ad-
vices, that anything will DO done IN the matter
until tho President returns to Washington. BY
that time II may be that developments in Cen.
trail America will so shape events that Nicara-
qua will be in position to receive Capt. Merry,
and when that is the case 1t is more than likely
that no will be sent to that country. This solu.
ton Of the difficulty. it is understood. will DO
pprfectly aafiafnCtOry IN him md tn thoae ,yhn
are interested in having him there because Of
his friendliness to the Nicaraguan Canal scheme.
Tho agreement by which the proposed scheme
OF the Republic of Central America was to be
carried into effect was that made at Guatamala
City last year by the representatives OF tho
highest judicial tribunals of the five separate
States. 1t declared that the confederated union
should exist and tho constitution 20 into effect
when the Congresses of two Of the States ratt-
fed 1t. 1t was further arranged that the Prcsi-
dency should be for one year and be filled in turn
by citizens of the five States, beginning with
Costa RIGA and going down the list alphabet.
cally. Up to the present timo Costa Rioa
and Guatamala have not given their
adherence to the agreement, and the informa-
ton from Nicaragua, confirmed semi-officially
here, Is that they will refuse to do so. The Con-
crosses of these two States meet this month
and the agreement for the complete organiza-
wi al ~" icpupiO ApieS ny huilIdtiOb
next month. The intense jealousy existing be.
tween Costa RIGA and tho States composing the
present greater republic of Central America. in
which Guatemala participates to a lesser do
gree. is given as the reason for the possible
failure to carry out the agreement. Upon tho
formal announcement of the refusal of Costa
RIGA and Guatemala to enter the union the
present combination of Honduras. Salvador.
and Nicaragua Is expected to collapse, and the
raa,lt II 10 faa rnI will ha a atatn of ,ror thaA
will extend to all the countries of Central
America.