The Washington herald., 1907-06-16
THE AMBITION OF
PRESIDENT CABRERA

The people 0f the United States are
reading much about the conflict between
Nicaragua and Salvador, and also about
I the threatened invasion Of Guatemala by
the military forces Of Mexico. These are
factors incident 10 dramatic situation.
caused by an effort al uatiou-maklng. All
Of them are related 70 the project Of form
ing a United States of Central America.
composed az the five republics whose
countries dll the zone between the south
ern boundary Of Mexico and the northern
limit OF the comparatively new republic
OF Panama. In all this movement the
President CT Guatemala. Senior Estrada
Cabrera is the most prominent leader
His administration Of the most important
/ Of these Central American republics has
been directed uniformly toward the cres-
ton, by peaceful methods, OF a unified
/ Central American nation, worthy 70 take
rank, by means Of its resources and
character. as the tropical younger brother
Of the elder northern proponeut Of the
Monroe doctrine.
Observers Of Central American politics
well understand that the present clashes
IN that naturally rich belt OF this contl-
nent arc superficial Underlying them IS
the purpose. fixed and determined fin the
mind Of President Cabrera. OF Guate-
mala, and IN the minds OF far-sIgbtad
patriots in the nelghboring republics. 10
form one united government, and thus
bring 20 an end these recurrent revolu-
tions and border warfarcs. Such an
achievement would be a distinct advance
in the prosperity and International rela-
tions of several millions Of people who
are being brought almost daily. by rail
steamship. and telegraph. Into closer re-
lations with the social and Industrial life
Of the United States.
II would be a great error. It is said. 10
assume that the Inhabitants or the gov
crnments Of these countries are not in
sympathy with Anglo-Saxou civilization
All Of their aspirations are harmonious
with the Northern ambition 10 make the
American continent yield its utmost as q
contributor 10 the wealth Of the planet
and 10 the welfare Of all the human race
To this end union Of the Central Amori-
can republics has been favored by all Of
their liberal administrations.
II is important 20 recall that all Of these
states were under one control during the
long period Of Spanish conquest and col
onization They are all similar in race.
language. and customs Their leading
citizens all proclaim alike their desire for
peace and justice at home and for the
closer commercial relations with the
United States. which Guatemala has been
foremost in establishing All Of their
statesmen desire uniformity Of railway.
highway. and telegraphic communica-
tions, a mutual use Of their ports. and an
interchangeable system Of currency. read
| fly translatable into the financial vocabu-
larry Of the United States. All OF them
look forward TO the construction Of the
Intercontinental Railway as a link that
viii bind them more closely to the Amerl-
can power that persistently remains neu-
trail protecting only the lives and prop
erty Of its own citizens. during these
struggles that are prenatal to the birth Of
a new and united nation.
President Cabrera. Of Guatemala, IS the
most conspicuous Of the executives Of
Central America in advocating such a
union through peaceful negotiations
rather than accomplishing It by force
He realized that conquest does not mean
pacihcation. That has been shown by the
lives that have been lost in efforts to
compel a Central American union. His
predecessor as the head OF the Guatema-
Ian republic, Gen. Ruf1os Barrios, was
slain in battle for the same cause before
Chilchapa. All the lessons Of history
seem to have taught these ardent people
who dwell amid the almost undeveloped
resources south Of Mexico that their cas-
lest course is 70 bring about a sane and
prosperous union. that shall attract the
instant attention and the larger CONNER
cial interests of both the United States
and Europa