The evening times., 1897-02-01
THE UNION Of REPUBLICS
Central American States Derive
Substantial Advantages.
THE EXPERIMENT A SUCCESS
Honduras, Nicaragua and Salvador
Constitute the Greater Republic of
Purpose of Preventing War and
Applying Arbitration.

an eighteen months experience OF union
asthe Greater Republic of Central America
have resolved that the experiment is a sue
| cess.
In time the whole Of that long peninsula
| extending from the southern border lin,
| OF Mexico to the northern limits OF the
United States OF Colombia aud embracing
the territory designated for years as Cen
traI America, win probably be under one
| government. with an executive correspond
| ing to president, with distinct forms of
| State government on the lines of those con
Quoted in this country congress OF rep
| TesentatIveS and senatOrs-in fact. a union
| on the plan of the United states, in which
each republic pledges itself to refrain fiom
secession, TO encourage advancement on
modern lines OF progress and prevent in
! ternecine strife
/ The wars between the little states the
| Jealousies engendered by pretenders, and
| would-5e rulers, have resulted in wrccking
many OF them. Not even in South America
| have civil wars been more frequent and
more disastrous in their consequences, but
important, have formed an alliance in which
they pledge to support one another, TO dis
courage uprsings, and tc be as one govern
ncnt SO far as their relations with foreign
powers are concerned Tie object OF this
union for tie present is more to encourai e
friendly relations with other governments
and so far there is no central head or execu-
tive.
The inception movement to brIn together
these Central American States began in
1893, but not until June OF 1895 was there
any formal conclusion reached or had the
question assumed a phase promising any
results. II was difficult for one State to
forget the fact that she had been at war
with some oSher. or for some political lead
er to lay aside resentment because Of de-
feated political ambition and take a lib
eral and broad minded view OF the advan-
tages of union To remain apart, with their
own governments, presidents and officials,
Seemed to be their destiny with the ever
pending possibilities OF war being brought
on by some nearby state, or tue assertion
by some political adyenturers that the pre-
vailiEg authority must be deposed
The alliance entered into hetween Hon
duraS, Nicaragua and Salvador is for the
purpose of permanently establishing the
peace of Central America These three re
publics, therefore, accomplished union OF
a single political entity, under the name Of
the Greater Republic OF Central America,
and sent their first minister to Washington
last December This representative looks
after the interests OF all three governments.
Heis directly the representatives OF each and
fal inst n nd iyif nj
rulers OF each country, party to the ALI
ance, but from a diet composed OF three per
sons. one from each state The power OF this
body is, however, limited. II can maketrea-
ties and conventions with foreign govern
ments. and treat through its ministers
abroad. But when questions of honor arise
then the governments may consider the af-
fair separately and report to the diet its
views and wishes.
Tie three governments in this compactin
no wise renounce their autonomy, and the
constitution and laws Of each continue in
force in all that does not conflict with the
slIpulations OF tie agreement known as the
Amapala treaty, negotiated nearly two
years ago. Under that arrangement the
body recognized by the three republics is
known as a diet, consisting of a member
from each state. elected by its legislatures
toserve for a period Of three years.
Guatemala is probably the more important
of the states, and may insist on the honor
of naming the first president. This choice
VIII undoubtedly produce friction, but will
probably be amicably adjusted. With that
accomplished, there Will then be five re-
publics in the union, with one president.
The Importance of the steps already taken
has been recognized in this country, and
the bearing of it on the peace and progress
Of Central America is of the utmost conse-
quence To the United States the compact
means the extension of trade relations, for
it will be more practicable TO treat with
one government representing all the little
states than with each one, as has been the
custom.
1t will mean that one minister will be ac-
credited to the greater republic, whereas
for years there was a minister to each of
the five states. With close and friendly
trade relations and the removal of tariff
barriers, the little states are expected to
expand and develop with wonderful ra-
pidity. Money could be borrowed abroad
on the credit OF the greater republic, where
for one state loans are difficult to obtain
The ssipport OF the standing armies will be
obvia ted and money saved by economical
of local governments. All
this viii tend to make Central America in
time an important government, and with
put unionnone of the states, separately. can
hope for commercial success or internal |
peace.
What effect the formation Of the present |
nnion can or will have on the Nicaraguan |
Canal has been made clear by Minister Rod |
riguez. 1t will in nowise effect the present |
attitude of Nicaragua toward the canal or |
The cession granted to the American com |