The Washington herald., 1907-08-29

President Roosevelt yesterday took a
hand ir the Central American situation,
and se.t telegram to President Zelaya,
Of Nicaragua. another to President Ca
brera. Of Guatemala. a third to President
Davila. Of the recently recognized Hon
duran government, a fourth to the Presi-
dent OF Salvador. and a fifth to the
President of Costo Rica.
The five kilograms from President
Roosevelt to the heads Of these republics.
whose Kilkenny diplomacy has long been
a source Of distress to the United States
and Mexico. urge the respective countries
TO lay aside their differences and. in the
interest Of peace and progress. make
some effort looking to a restoration of
tranquility and confidence in that section
OF the globe.
President Diaz 10 Take Hand.
President Roosevelfs kilograms. while
couched in friendly, diplomatic terms.
may be described as very earnest. They
do not specifically suggest a peace con-
ference either in Washington or in Mex
leo City. bat they pave the way for such
a contamination by Suggesting that the
countries take steps to come TO an amica-
bic understanding.
The messages which President Roose-
welt sent to the Central American repub-
lies yesterday constitute the greatest step
Yet taken toward stopping the belicose
disturbances in Central America. The sec
ond step in this programme will come
when President Diaz. of Mexico. sends
to-day, if he has not already sent, a per
sonal telegram TO the five Central Amer
lean Presidents, also suggesting better
understanding and automatically open
ing the way for the holding OF a confer
ence on that subject either in the Mex
lean capital or in Washington.
Sot Joint Note, hut an Appeal.
These messages are in no sense a ..io,nt
note aud do not come from either the
American or Mexican governments. but
are the personal appeals OF President
Roosevelt and President Dfaz for the
ameiorating Of a condition. the eontinu-
ance OF which Is fraught with a constant
danger and great loss to all concerned.
1t was presumably these kilograms and
the expected responses TO which Assistant
Secretary Adee yesterday referred when.
without letting the cat out OF the bag
ne said that he had authority to an
nounce that President Roosevelt and
President Diaz are in perfect accord as
10 the course 20 be pursued toward the
Central American republics. and that he
hoped to be able to make some definite
announcement within twenty-four hours.
The course on which the two Presidents
are in perfect accord is one Of friendly
mediation" 10 bring about TRANQUIL con-
ditions and avoid the possibility Of actual
interference TO protect outside interest.
a possibility always existant with Central
Americas interminable tangles and wars
Responses Already Received.
The programme of personal appeals. by
the Presidents of this country and Mex
leo, is hoped to bring prompt and con-
.ciliatOry response that may lead to speedy
negotiations for a peace pact. It was re-
ported last night that some replies to
President Roosevelt's kilograms have al
ready been received, and more are ex-
pected within a day or two.
Nicaragua has discarded some OF her
bellicose spirit, and It too mas indi-
Gated to the State Department that if a
conference is possible II will enter an
agreement whereby each of the five re-
publics viii bind itself to submit every
question at issue to the Presidents Of the
United States and Mexico for arbitration.
With the principal wsrlike republic,
showing such a conciliatory spirit. Presi-
dents Roosevelt and Diaz decided to
launch the appeals for the martial FIVE
tribes 10 get together.
Mexico City. Aug. &.-It became known
to-day that President Diaz has decided
70 telegraph to the Presidents Of Guate-
mala. Salvador. and Nicaragua Offering
the good Offices Of the Mexican govern
ment in the settlement of differences.