New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-08-01
THE NICARAGUAN TANGLE
MINISTER MERRY'S CASE CONSIDERED
AT THE STATE DEPARTMENT.
WAY OUT OF THE DIFFICULTY SUGGESTED
BELIEF THAT THE UNION OF CENTRAL
AMERICAN STATES WILL NOT BE
ACCOMPLISHED

Washington. July 31.-The State Department
officials are trying to unravel the snarl which
the Nicaraguan mission has got into since
Captain Merry Of California, declared per-
soma non grata by the Diet of the Greater Re-
public OF Central America. 1t appears that
when Minister Rodriguez was received by Presi-
dent Cleveland the President said that the
treaties with the States comprising the new
Government would be continued and the United
States would look to the States for their fulfil
ment. This position, 1t is understood, has since
been confirmed by the State Department, and
in dealing with those countries treaties made
with the separate governments are considered
in force and binding Neither the President nor
the State Department wished to take any steps
which might be considered as objecting to-the
organization Of the several governments Of Cen
trail America into a single government so long
as this step was to their interest but at the
same time the Administration did not want to
abrogate the treaties with these States by the
recognition Of Minister accredited from all
the States concerned
II is said that way may be found by this
Government to over come the protest of the Diet
Of the Greater Republic of Central America,
which constituted includes the govern
ments Of Nicaragua. Salvador and Honduras. by
sending Captain Merry to Costa Rica. and hav
Ing the United States Legation este blshed at
the capital Of that State. Costa Rica being one
OF three States Of the mission TO which he
accredited. 1t is said at the Department that
there is way in which this Government can
send Minister to the Greater Republic of Cen
tral America, there is no provision of law
or appropriation for Minister, and even if this
was done. Costa Rica and Guatemala which
have not yet Joined the Federation. would be
without Ministers from the United States
Costa RiCa is now included with Nicaragua, and
Salvador and Guatemala with Honduras BY
sending the Minister to the three frst-named
republics TO Costa Rica and the Minister to the
last two TO establish his Legation in Guatemala,
the matter might rest until there could be
further legislation until the Central Ameri-
States adjusted their form Of government.
The recent treaty by which the five States
agreed to form government may never he rati-
fed, so 1t is said by those who have received
reports from those countries BY the terms Of
the treaty the chief of the five States was TO
come from each country in alphabetical order
and serve one year. 1t has since been learned
that the President OF Costa Rica has said that
this would not be satisfactory, and that he would
not consent TO il unless the terms Of treaty were
modified TO allow him to be chief for six
years and then the head of the Government TO
come from Guatemala for six years While il is
not known that the President of Guatemala has
Joined with Costa Rica in this matter those who
are well informed concerning the situation in
Central America think that both countries will
refuse to ratify the treaty, and that the scheme
for a Central Amercan Union with all these
States will fail 1t is also said that the failure
Of the five States to organize may have its ef-
feet upon the Greater Republic of Central Amer
lea and letters from Central America Intimate
tina, IT is doubtful If the Diet so called, can be
much longer maintained.
1t was with these features in view that the
suggestion was made that Captain Merry should
be sent to Costa Rica until the analrs OF the
several governments were settled, or until the
objections which have been raised against him
are withdrawn. Before another Minister Is ap-
pointed 1t is believed this Government VIII urge
the withdrawal of the objections, and there may
be considerable diplomatic correspondence on