Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1898-11-27
HAILTO new REPUBLIC
UNITED STATES OF CENTR Al AMER.
ICA PROBABLE POWER.
They Have Suddenly Taken Their
Place Among the Worlds Nations
-N~icaragua. Salvador ind
Honduras.

ragua. Salvador and Honduras, which have
at various times done a little fighting to-
sether and against each other. The seat of
government was moved last week from An
apala, the temporary capital. to Gilman
dega, in Nicaragua. A constitution. which
Is practically that of our own country, was
adopted early this month. So the new ma
ton. pocketed between Guatemala and
Costa Rica, two states not particularly
friendly 20 it, has begun its existence.
Enthusiasts have been singing of the
blessings of a union of the five states of
Central America for many years-ever
since the federation made in 1923 was de-
stroyed by strife and jealousies. Central
American politics is an intricate game. In
view of history there have been doubts ex-
pressed as to the .permanence OF the pres
ent union. Yet if the Nicaragua canal is
built there may be a development and a
building up of these Central American
states, which will give their institutions
stability. This new nation which has just
been called into being may become an i'm
There have been affairs recently which
have turned the eyes of the nations to the
Southern part of this continent. There was
the trip of the battieship Oregon, for in
stance. The saving of a voyage about
Cape Horn might have made an apprecia-
BILE difference in the conduct of the Spanish
American war. 1t will be interesting to see
what effect the formation of this new ma
ton will have upon the canal concessions
given by Nicaragua to the canal.
Political Possibilities.
There is no limit to the effects which
may follow the formation of this new uni
fication of the Latin republics. The three
states which are enclosed in the middle
of Central America are keeping at arms
length two nations with whom their rela-
tons are constantly disturbed. There is
Guatemala on the north and Costa Rica on
the south. Between these two republics
S.rntrD tho nlah0UanN u fnrnSfS nf HnpIrrr-
Salvador and Nicaragua. Salvador has had
several encounters with Guatemala, and
Nicaragua and Costa Rica are on especial
ly good terms. 1t has always been said
when the subject of the union of the five
republics was discussed that Guatemala
was the key to the situation: The United
States of Central America look to the north
and the south. and there is a chip on its
shoulder. Let Guatemala try conclusions
with little Salvador. if she will. and there
are Nicaragua and Honduras ready to join
the fray. Let Costa Rica throw down the
gage of war to Nicaragua, the United
States of Central America will go into the
Theoretically, the five states are supposed
to have a community of interests: to be n
bound together by indissclubIe ties. Revo-
luton seems Unborn in the body polite of
these countries.
The wars and internal disorders have un-
doubtedly interfered with the prosperity
and progress OF the republics. While the
United States of America was building
Ill ItCldliIIIIIS lie "AIutI1ItSS lIlu I'M
proving harbors, Central America was pur-
suing the game of revolution. War and
intrigue, the creation of governments only
to be overthrown by the appearance Of a
few hundred armed men. have filled the life
of the people these many years. There was
a time when YOU. might make your way
through Central America with the simple
direction, Go South three revolutions and
turn one revolution to the right Stabi!-
ity of government; the completion of q
ship canal; the exchange of products with
the United States, may work wonders in
this land of change and shift.
Oldest America.
Here is, the oldest community on the
American continent and yet the last to
take to itself a government which gives
some sign of being an abiding one. Years
before jamestown was founded Spain had
planted her colonies here and had ground
the natives under her heel. The ruins of
once wealthy and influential cities still at
test the story of wealth and grandeur.
Structures over the roofs of which centuries
have passed remain TO tell of the civiliZa-
ton which came to the land of republics
and revolutions.
1t was on this neck OF land that Co
lumbus set foot when he first reached this
continent. That was in 1902. Twenty
years passed by and then the conquerer Of
of the fabulous wealth of the countries
which lay below. started south with an
He reached his destination after two
years of almost incredible hardship. He
conquered Guatemala. The natives We're
slaughtered by the thousand. The conquer
or or his lieutenants possessed the land.
Granada, In Nicaragua. was founded and a
civilization was built up on this, continent
from the Moors. In Granada many of the
old buildings still stand.
All the countries of Central America were
united under the name of Guatemala and a
captain general presided over them. Those
who have followed the history of Spain
know how the proud old land ruled her
race was decimated under the hardships
impose by its conquerors. The labo-
mines brought death. Europeans and
negroes were brought to the country.
Then Mexico gained her freedom. Then
the Central American provinces of Spain
demanded Independence and in 1921 they re.
ceived it. The Federal Union of Central
America was founded in 1s23. and until
gether. The states withdrew one by one.
With this period the name of General
MaIaz oma will wi ,b alwa a9nrd be as os ibe nn,d HE
Even after it had gone to pieces he tried
TO join, together. the fragments,-to get
into regular order again. He was shot at
San Jose. in Costa Rica. in 1912, whittier
he had gone 10 attempt a coup in the in
Unsuccessful Attempts.
Several efforts have been made since
that. Unrest was the leading trait in the
political characters OF these republics.
Revolutions sprang up from time to time
republic that its neighbor or neighbors
were giving aid to the revolutionists which
she had expelled from her borders. Less
than Il year ago Nicaragua came very
near going to war with Costa Rica on ac-
count of such a charge. Her president i'm
prisoned a Costa Rican consul at Managua.
Troops were marched to the frontiers and
a treaty of peace was finally signed.
An unsuccessful effort was made by
Guatemala III 1SI2 to effect u union of the
states. General Justo Rufus Barrios came
very near forming an organization in 1887.
He discovered that Salvador was treacher-
the Salvadoreans. bat fell "A victim TO
sharpshooters. By a treaty concluded at
Analapa in 1896 ell five of the republics
formed 4 federation. which was called the
amounted to little more than an agree
ment to leave questions in dispute to q
diet of deputies appointed from the various
republics. 1t will. of course. he suppressed
ed by the formation of the United States
of Central America.
Diplomacy has sought to do everything
possible to restrain jealousy and d~issatis-
faction in this new nation. The presidents
of the states become governors. 1t has
been agreed that none OF them shall be-
come 4 candidate for president of the new
republic. who will be chosen on December
Il. The successful candidate will he in
augurated next March. The new capital,
Chinandega, is in Nicaragua, ont he Pa
cific side. The temporary capital Ana
lapa. was in Honduras, on an island in
the Bay of Fonseca.
If the resources of this new nation We're
properly developed it would become Il rich
and peaceful nation. The forests of all
three of the countries are rich in mahog-
any and dyewoods: gold and silver have
been found. there is an abundance of coal,
and there are fortunes in coffee and trop-
lcal frnifG The f1fnre of this frin Of