Evening star., 1897-01-02
have met .wo-thirds. at least, Of the men,

have met two-thirds. at least, Of the MEM
bers nomiE ated."
The treaty concIudeswith an agreement
to urge upon Guatemala and Costa Rica to
Guatemala has. been the stumbling block
in the formation OF a. federation because
with her million and a half population she
could command an unusually large repre-
sentation in the general assembly, and the
other states objected 30 this.
Policy of tie Union.
''rhe policy of our new union" said senor
Rodriguez ''ls to extend and cultivate
friendly relations with foreign countries,
particularly with the United States. feel
encouraged by the cordial remarks Of Pres
idcnt Cleveland in receiving me- 1t shows
that we can count upon the sympathies of
the United States for the future. Diplomat
ic representatives have been sent by the
diet to the courts at london, Paris and
Berlin. If they are recognized as cordially
as I have been. and believe they will be.
much will be accomplished toward estab-
fishing a permanent union. I believe our
confederation will succeed and become per-
manent. and as soon as 1t becomes plain to
the other Central American states that
good Is coming of 1t, think they will sign
the treaty of Amapala and join U.S. For
half century or more We have been work
ing to re-establish the union which was de-
stroyed in 1898. and 1 believe our efforts will
Sc on prove successful.
THE trouble with the old union was that
the people were hardly ready for the kind
of government 1t provided; they did not
take sufficient interest in it, When the
yoke of Spain was thrown off it was decided
to adopt the same kind of government as
you have here. But artificial sovereignties
we're formed and bitter jealousies got the
better of the judgment of the politicians.
Internal dissensions were followed by civil
wars which decimated the people. and on
the 26th of October. 1898 the five states Sc
oeded one after another, dissolving the
union. Declarations of independence were
promulgated announcing each division to he
free and sovereign state.
Work Of Peace. ' '."
I'm recent years the tendency has been
toward more settled state of affairs and
several efforts have been put forth looking
to the re-establishment of the federation.
But the question Of state rights has been
the stumbling block. Annually for the last
few years treaty conventions have been
held in which all of the Central American
states have participated. Each new treaty
has been stepping stone toward final
and complete union For instance, resi-
cent Of Costa Rica is now eligible to the
office Of president of Nicaragua Honduras
OF other states. and vice versa Free trade
has been established extradition is allowed
as among the states OF North America and
professional men can practice in their own
or other, provinces without being obliged to
undergo examinations a second time
This being a peaceful effort of ours to
build a permanent union, we expect at some
time, perhaps not far distant, the other
states will join us. But resort to arms
or violence is intended, to bring them into
the federation If they come we shall be
very glad; II they don't. we shall be very
sorry; but their coming will not be COLI
spired.'