The Washington times., 1907-11-11
Presidents of Nicaragua,
Salvador, and Honduras
Charged With Trick.
Representatives at Peace
Conference Here This
Week Scent Plot.
]. B. CALVo,
Minister Of Costa Rica.

The war spirit stalks among the dele
gates TO the Central American Peace
Conference, which opens here Friday, to
effect a peace everlasting in the tropical
Americas
The ominous suggestion OF gore at a
peace gathering originates in q secret
conference just held at Amapala, Hon
duras, between President Tolaya OF
Nicaragua. President F'igouera Of Sal
vador and President DavilIa OF Hon
duras. The representatives Of Guate-
maia and Costa Rica scent therein a
plot 10 gain undue advantages here at
the peace conference. Suspicion and
distrust have been engendered. Unless
the objects Of the secret meeting are
satisfactorily explained. the whole pur-
pose OF the peace conference viii be de-
feated.
State Department Unadvised.
The State Department, also. would
like TO know why the heads OF three re-
publics have seen fit TO seek each other
in Confidential powwow. The Depart
ment was entirel unadvised that such a
gathering was TO be held. Secretary
Root is deeply interested in the success
OF the peace conference. The gather
ing OF the three presidents Is looked
upon as serious. II only in its effect
upon the delegates from the other re-
publics. II was thought that the fiery.
tropical temper could be satisfied to lay
aside intrigue and the covert thrust for
time, at least while, by unanimous
consent. such a subject as peace was
under consideration. That this proves
not TO be the case is a fact much de-
piored b. the OFFICIALS here.
The surmise IN WASHINGTON IS that
the meeting was arranged so that
Nicaragua. Salvador, and Honduras
could agree on program to be, pursued
at the peace conference. The delegates
from the other two countries. and those
OF the United States and Mexico, have
understood that the conference wouid
be gathering at which the represen-
tatives Of each country indeoendent1y
would seek TO arrive at Z permanent
peace pact. Accustomed % constant
plotting and contemplating. both IN
domestic matters and in dealing with
each other. it cannot be figured by
Guatemala and Costa RIca that Mica
Tagua, Salvador, and Honduras would
have any object in such meeting Other
than one hostile TO the interests of The
other two countries.
Combination of Voting Strength.
The very least suspected is a combi-
nation of voting strength at the con-
| ference. OF course, the United States
and Mexico are parties to the confer
once, but their function is that of ad-
visers to the five smaller republics, and
whatever is done can be done only by
consent OF the I'VE.
Secretary Root and President DIas
/ hope that an American court OF arbitra.
ton. an institution similar to that al
The Hague, viii be the result OF the
conference. To accomplish this an ar
bitration and peace treaty must bt
drawn up with all the Central Ameri.
can countries signatOry thereto Accord
ing to the plans, this court would settle
al disputes except those pending and in
course Of adjustment and thUse invOlv-
ing the national honor.
Dinner Last Night.
John Barrett. director Of the Bureau
OF American Republics. was host last
night at diner to the delegates. Other
elaborate entertainments is planned during
the week. Tomorrow the preliminary
meeting. at which the Craftsmanship will
/ be decided, is scheduled. Wednesday
the President will entertain the dele
Gates at lunchon. Later IN the week
! Ambassador Creel, OF Mexico, viii nold
a formal reception in honor or the Cen
/ tral American visitors. The formal ses-
sions begin Thursday Ambassador
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