Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-05-03
CENTRAL AMERICA
Reported to Be Forming a
League.
THE FORMER ATTEMPTS
EFFORTS TO ACCOMPLISH THIS
MADE BEFORE.
Present Movement Started About a
Year Ago-Its Probable Effect
on Affairs.

Written for The Evening Star.
Central America is reported to be forming
a league. The various countries are said
to be restless over the vague explanation
given of the visit of the British warship
to the eastern coast of Nicaragua. That,
however hardly would furnish the basis
for their union. Since the Panama canal
was settled 1t is understood throughout
Central America that the United States has
as much interest in the visits of European
warships as have the different republics
themselves.
Probably In short time the vague state
ments concerning the mission of the British
ship will be cleared away and whether it
relates to the Mosquito Indians or the
turtle fisheries. This country never recog-
nized the right of a European protectorate
over the Indians or their territory. 1t is an
old question long ago threshed out In diplo-
matte correspondence. His Mosquito Maj
esty" has ceased to be disturbing element
in Central America. While there may ne
some local abuses In the management of
the Mosquito Indians, President Zelaya's
administration has done about as well by
them as any government could. Their
grievances hardly can be real enough to
furnish the basis Of an International cpl
sode.
There are good many British subjects
as in Costa Rica. Most of them are Jamaica
blacks. A few months ago complaint was
| made that these negroes had been brought
to Bluefields under contract for work at
81 a day. When they got there and found
that the 81 a day was Nicaragua money or
about Is cents gold there was loud pro-
test and they refused to go to work. Later
they were paid something like so cents a
day, and were said to be satisfied. A labor
agency in Kingston, Jamaica, was respon-
sible for their coming and as the entire
arrangement was with private parties the
Nicaragua government was not particularly
interested.
What is Needed.
Nicaragua is in need Of labor and the
Jamaicans furnish the best source. A
French ranchman and planter told me that
what the country needed was immigration
and a United States protectorate How
ever, as before stated, the influence of the
United States radiating from Panama is
enough of a protectorate or should be.
1t Is likely that the interests Of the United
States In Nicaragua as measured by the
financial investments of the citizens, is
greater than that of British subjects pos
sibly can be- The Pfttsburg syndicate,
which secured very extensive mining con-
cessions and which was reported to be pro-
testing against the visit of the British war
ship, represents a solid capital, though it
has not yet done much to develop it's prop
critics. It's concessions are for quarter
of century, and 1t has monopoly in a
great mining belt It's righs run along the
COcos river and the Mosquito country gen
orally. So its concern In the welfare of the
Indians is direct. It's plans include a sys-
tenn of schools even
The government of Nicaragua is making
surveys for railroad across to the Atlantic
slope and the chances are that this time
the project will have better success than
in former years, when it never had got be-
yond the granting of concessions which
have laDsed.
The probability is that the Central Ameri-
can League, SO called, has nothing to do
with the events on the Mosquito coast. 1t
Is an old subject, this question of uniting
the Central American republics, or a ma
jority of them. under one government. Geo
graphically they are one, but politically
they very much separated. Frequently
they have come to clashes among them
selves. That is one reason why at inter-
walls the effort is made to bring them all
under one flag and wipe out the boundary
line. Three-quarters of century ago there
was a Central American republic, and the
silver dollars coined under 1t are still i'll
circulation, though not many of them are
to be found.
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