The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1897-08-13
THE REPUBLIC OF CENTRAL
AMERICA.

The singular position in which Capt.
Berry, appointed by the president as
minister to the Greater Republic of
Central America" and Lewis Baker,
present minister to Nicaragua, San Sal
vador and Costa Rica, find themselves
through the omission Of congress and
the oversight Of the state department.
draws attention 20 the new republic
that has been formed recently by the
states of Central America, and which
takes its place among the nations as
the Republic of Central America When
Nicaragua, Honduras and San Salvador
formed the Greater Republic two years
ago minister was sent to the United
States and duly recognized by the
president. This established the legal
status Of the new republic in this
country. It was to this republic that
President Mckinley appointed Capt.
Berry But congress, oblivious to the
change, continued the appropriation
for the support Of the mission held by
Mr.. Baker and made none for a mis-
sion to the new republic. Berry finds
himself appointed to a post without a
salary, and Mr.. Baker removed from
position for which he holds no COM
mission.
The original design of a federation
of all the republics of Central America
was prevented by jealousies and
disputes as to relative rank and pow
ers, which kept Guatemala and Costa.
Rica aloof: but the differences have
been adjusted and a treaty has been
formed which, for certain purposes
unites the republics, while preserving
their independence for all others. The
name is to be changed to that of the
Republic Of Central America, dropping
the word Greater" and styling the
constituent republics Estates" and
their presidents governors" pattern
ing after the United States in this re-
spect. The states reserve to them
selves all rights and powers not ex-
pressly delegated to the republic The
treaty provides for a president of the
republic, who will be assisted by a.
council composed of two representa-
tives of each state, who will form the
ministry, or cabinet. The presidency
Is to rotate among the governors, each
holding it in turn for a term of one
year, in the alphabetical order of tbe
states, giving Costa RIGA the first in
cumbency. The cabinet officers are an
pointed by the governors Of their re-
spective states. The functions of the
republic relate almost wholly to ax-
ternal relations, touching internal mat
tiers only where foreign conditions de-
mand the support of the states The
president and cabinet negotiate trea+-
les, appoint ministers and consuls to
foreign countries-which, with the in
stinct Of our own spoilsmen, it is pro-
vided shall be apportioned among the
states equally-and they are given au
thority to secure uniformity in coinage
weights and measures adjusted to the
decimal system, and uniformity in the
educational systems Of the states.
While this arrangement is but a
treaty, the design is to build on and
out OF it permanent union, with a
constitution Within five years 2. ma
tlonaI assembly is to be called by the
central government to consist of ten
members from each state, to frame a
permanent constitution for the repub-
lie. Meantime citizenship Of the re-
public is provided for by a system of
registration, and an article contains
most of the provisions of our own
bills of rights embodied in the national
and state constitutions. The most sig
nificant Of these, considering past con-
ditions, is the separation of state and
church and the validity given to civil
marriages The death penalty for pc