The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1907-05-15
The Proposed Joint ~Protectorate
Over Central America.

President DIAZ has suggested that the
incessant revolutions in Central America
might be averted by the unifcation OF
the five States into which that country
is now divided, the stability Of the uni
fed republic being guaranteed by the
assumption of a joint protectorate on
the part Of Mexico and the United States.
We have no doubt that if such arrange
ments we're made the people Of Central
America would be better of than they
ever have been since the collapse Of the
former confederation, which was organ
lied SCOT after independence was gained.
But would it be well for the United
States TO take upon itself the burdens
and responsibilities Of a joint protec-
torate? Would our experience justify
us in giving an affirmative answer?
By the Platt Amendment to the Cuban
Constitution we practically accepted a
protectorate wei Cuba, and although
but a few years have elapsed since the
island became self-governing we have
already had to intervene and establish
a provisional administration. 1t is very
doubtful whether the next native Gov
eminent will prove moro durable than
that which was headed by President
PALMA. Many observers Of the Cuban
situation seem inclined to believe that a
second interposition on our part will be
necessary and that this will have to be
permanent. Instructions would doubt
less follow, and we might find the island
- tornoinolIa xyaUofinn
By the treaty with the Dominican
Republic. which has been ratified by
u Senate though not yet by the Do
minican Congress, we have assumed
some Of the t~utelary functions which
in Egypt are discharged by England.
There also there is reason to a%pprehend
that before the republics foreign debt
shall have been completely %liquidated we
may find ourselves involved in trouble
through revolutionary %uprisings against
the present native Government,
We scarcely need to add that our rela-
ton to the young republic of Panama
also is that of a protector. We should
not permit any of her neighbors to at
tack her, nor should We tolerate revo-
lutionary outbreaks against the duly
elected authorities.
Are not three protectorates enough?
Are we sure that we want another? Would
not our assumption of a p~rotectorate
over Central America, following as it
would the ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF Colombia
and the armed intervention in Cuba, be
apt 70 excite misgiving and suspicion in
those South American commonwealth
which it was Mr.. RooT's mission to re-
assure and conciliate? 1t is true that
the cooperation Of Mexico, coupled with
the declaration that not a square foot OF
Central American territory is desired
or would be accepted by the g%uarantors,
might tend TO allay distrust. But might
not a good deal OF friction between the
United States and Mexico be generated
il the successor of President DIAz should
be a man of a different character? We
know that the former An~glo-French
protectorate in Egypt did not work
smoothly, and the triune protectorate
exercised by the United States, Great
Britain and Germany over the Samoan
archipelago was satisfactory TO none OF
the parties and has been superseded by
a partition of the islands.
1t may be that the joint protectorate
advocated by President DIAz is the only
practicable remedy for the grievous state
Of things which has long existed in Cen
trail America. 1t is a project, however,
not to be lightly entered on, for there is
clearly much TO be said on both sides Of
the question.