The Washington herald., 1907-06-02
g UA TEMALA AND
PRESIDENT CABRERA

e4lAdLitH III udltltldias AltNt lfft1tllo
are Identical with those which influence
the attitude Of this government. which is
frankly deslrous of averting war between
Guatemala and Mexico. and they explain
also the indications IN dispatches from
Guatemala City that President Cabrera,
Of that Central American republic, desires
strongly not ALLEVIATE the moral sup
port Of the United States. while realizing
that the friendly relations between Wash
ington and Mexico City cannot be
strained.
The present lively condition Of affairs
will not be wholly without beneficial re-
suit If IL causes a wider knowledge in the
United States Of the present Importance
and the possibilities Of Guatemala The
history Of that country Is a romance. like
the histories Of many other states IN
Central and Southern America, that un-
derwent Spanish conquest. and. in time,
achieved political independence. Its pres
ent condition needs not the glamour OF
romance to capture attention, for il has
all the attraction of the realism, IN com
merciaI and Industrial development and
in social advancement, Of the twentieth
century.
Guatemala. under the administration Of
President Cabrera, has steadily advanced
toward more intimate commercial rela-
tions with the United States Some Of the
dispatches have pictured this Central
American executive as q monster. But
the diplomatic records reveal that he has
received most congratulatory addresses
and comments from representatives, Of the
United states and Of other powers as a
promoter Of political tranquility and Of
industrial and educational progress. He
has reduced the public debt, encourag ged
the construction Of railways. highways.
bridges, teIegraphs, and telephones; pro-
NOTED agriculture. invited immigration,
and stimulated popular education.
One feature Of the Cabrera admlnIstra-
tion. which began in 1885. when as vice
president, he succeeded his predecessor.
President BaTrlos. who had met a tragic
end, viii enlist the sympathy and ap-
proval OF Americans. This is his promo
ti0n OF public education as "A method Of
fostering q spirit Of intelligent patriotism.
His policy I'm this respect curiouslv re-
semhles that which was adopted hv the
United States IN Porto Rico. when IL ac-
qUired responsibility for the welfare and
progress Of that island. one Of his first
acts was TO open public schools. which
he has reorgsnized in conformity with
the most modern plans, while he has en-
ooGragcd higher education by establishing
normal eHH.H|a. ...frFg.f- ..r r..-
cine. and engineering. bringing many in-
s'ruetors from the United States.
The Festival of Minerva is a national
holiday in Guatemala. consecroted to hon
orlng the education OF the youth Of the
country. and in its celebration all the
directors professors. teachers. and pupils
of the entire school system take part
The government Of Guatemala. ike that
0f the United States. is divided into the
executive legislative and Judicial branch
es. The constitution guarantees 10 the
26Ha1 Inhabitants l0f whom about one
half are aborigiHes. engaged mainly in
agricultural an the civil rights and rber-
ties that are known in the most liberal
republic. President Cabrera is Of the lib
eral school Of politics.
It's proximity makes Guatemala an un-
usually good market for the United
States. Progress in railway construction
win one day make Il possible 20 travel
by rail direct 20 Guatemala City. while
The ports on both the Atlantic and Pa
Gin" coasts are increasing their commerce
through improved facilities Of communica-
ti0u with the rich interior. Two years
ago. S>"Hf1 0f American capital was in-
vested in the country. The principal inn
ports are of cotton fabrics. brought from
Great Britain, the United States. and Ger
many. The most recent statistics avail
able show that the foreign commerce Of
Guatemala in one year amounted 20 Si2-
$4,000. or which S5of,G6o was imports and
SI.ll-'1 exports or the import trade.
af5t per cent was credited % tho United
states. The value of its imports from the
United States was El42,e'o. from England
H,esea, from Germany. SIm&g9.
Guatemala is remarkable I'm the wealth
and variety of its agricultural products
Within the same degrees Of latitude are
grown the staples of both tropical and
temperate climes, ranging from coffee.
sugar. rubber. and cacao. to Indian corn
and wheat, of which two or three crops
are produced in a year. There are also
endless varieties Of timber and vast graz
ing regions. The mining resources have
yielded millions Of gold. silver. and the
haser metals. and yet are little exploited
II has been the policy Of President Ca
hrara 10 encourage farming and 10 in
vite immigration. Nearly one-half the
area Of the country IS untitled The gov
ernment publishes bulletin of agricuI-
tUre. and distributes seeds and plants
White immigration, especially from the
United States. is welcomed. Chinese
coolies are excluded. Immigrants may re-
ceive free aIlotments Of public lands, pro-
vided they cultivate one-third of the