New-York tribune., 1907-12-22
DICTATORSHIPS ENDED.
Central 4mcrican Treaty Expected
to Stop ReUolutions.
rFrum The Tribune Bureau. ]

Washington Dec. 21-Central America has
at last found and applied a remedy for the
chief evil that has disturbed peace in that part
of the American continent between Mexico and
the canal zone-a which end the
worst political disease that saps the prosperity
Of several South American republics well.
The idea apparently grew out OF President
Roosevet's timely reiteration of his mo third
term declaration.
The delegates to the Central American Peace
Conference at their last session signed eight
treaties instead of the seven which have been
announced and which thought 10
rather effectually the whole purpose of the
gathering. This last treaty was added at the
suggestion of Luis Anderson Chief Secretary OF
State Of Costa Rica and president Of the con-
ference. It is designed insure internal as
well as external peace to the five republics. II
safeguards, far possible. the existing gov
ernulents in each republic. prevents the much
dreaded relationships. and sweeps away the
chief of revolutions. It provides that
none OF the five sgnatory Powers shall recog-
nize either of the five republics whose ruler
shall have gained the ascendancy the result
of revolution forceful overthrow Of the
existing government. unless the new ruler Is
the selection Of the whole people and is elected
according to the constitution after all the re-
quired provisions have been carried out This
clause in the eighth treaty is considered BY
many the most practical result of the whole
conference. beneficial as It has been in 80
many ways. Most Of the delegates have been
seeing a remedy for the prevention of inter-
have found it in Sefor Andersons proposal
In order that a President may not become a
dictator and use his power to insure reelection
ter Was hTy he C0r1fer
ence that all those countries whose constitu-
tions do not already prohibit the unlimited re-
election Of President should forthwith incor-
porate such articles as are necessary TO put It
beyond the possibility Of a President to obtain
perpetual tenure of office The length of time
which a President shall be allowed to serve and
the number of terms which he may have will
be left to tho discretion OF each country but it
is agreed that there shall be some reasonable
limit in conformity with the American idea of
republican government 1t is thought that
the length Of a term will be left as 1t is
in all the republics. four years in Costa Rica
and five in each OF the other countries.
4 third clause incorporated in the treaty,
stipulating that none Of the signatory powers
shall take part in any revolutionary movement
against the other powers. This clause was in
cluded mainly to safeguard the seven other
treaties and TO insure concerted endeavor tho
part of every republic to stop revolution in
any of the others The intention Of the whole
treaty is to conform nearly possible to
the constitution OF Costa Rica. that country for
nearly fifty years having been singularly free
from turmoil of any kind.
Among the delegates and the officials of the
state Department there has arisen feeling Of
confidence that the provisions which have been
adopted by the conference Will preserve Central
American peace, and ii is said that none of the
republics will be willing TO incur the displeas-
ure Of the United States and Mexico by being
the first TO break the agreement.