The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1907-07-28
TEE LATEST FROM CENTRAL
AMERICA.

WASHINGTON, July 27.-Salvador now
manifests an intention TO change her mind.
A few days ego she showed q pretty we'll
defined purpose to present to Nicaragua a
demand for indemnity and q promise to
send m army II the claim was not paid.
Such q course. although perhaps justifiable.
would have been most unwise. and Salvador
docs well to reconsider the matter.
Against Nicaragua Salvador has both just
cause for complaint and ample ground for
a claim for damages. Immediately upon
the heels Of a treaty OF peace between the
two countries President Zelaya despatched
or at least permitted the despatch OF a
hlibustering expedition against Salvador.
the invaders being carried from Corinto
to Acajutla on board the Nicaraguan gun
boat Momotombo. Acajutla and Sonson-
ate were attacked. occupied and looted
before h invaders were driven out by the
Salvadoran forces. Property was destroyed
and lives were lost. Salvador therefore
had every right to be offended. every right
to demand indemnity and to collect its claim
by force Of arms II nee be.
War might be justified by the oircum-
stances. but it would be at this time ex-
tremely mwise. Salvador's best course at
present is the exercise Of patience. There is
another day coming and her claim will be as
good then a. it IL now. II Salvador makes
her claim q cause of immediate war the
whole OF Central America goes into turmoil
at . time when peace Ia more promising
than 1t has beer for many months If Sal
vsdor attacks Nicaragua she will receive
support from Honduras and from Guate-
mala, not because those countries are par
t~ioularly friendly to Salvador, but because
there are many in both who would gladly
Join 4 movement for the defeat and over
throw Of President Zelaya. That end being
attained, as it probably would be, there
ID little short Of certainty that the allied
~conquerors would get into some active
little differences among themselves con-
corning the settlements. A disturbance Of
indefinite duration would almost certainly
be precipitated, with every probability that
IL could be adjusted only by Intervention Of
Mexico and the United States.
The latest advioes indicate thai Saliva
dor Ia disposed to leave her claims in abey-
ance pending their adjustment by arbitra-
ton In general accordance with the terms
Of the Treaty OF Amapala. entered into
by Salvador n Nicaragua on April 2s.
1907. and broken by Nicaragua six weeks
a~fterward. 1t Is also Of recent report that
Mr.. Zelaya Is disposed. II he has not def
nitely decided. to abandon his ambitious
project for a compulsory unification Of the
Central American States. II this be true.
Mr.. Zelaya will save himself, his neighbors
and the world q great deal OF trouble.
II the attitude of these two countries be
as reported and as 1t certainly seems to be.
the time IL ripe for an earnest effort to bring
about q protracted and perhaps a perma-
nent harmony along lines to which much
consideration and no small measure OF sup
port has already been given. That is the
gathering In Mexico city or in Washington.
preferably the latter. Of delegates from the
Central American States for the definite
purpose Of entering into a binding treaty
Of peace and Of arbitration OF differences
by Mexico and the United States. To such
a plan a tentative approval has already
been given by some OF the proposed parties
TO It, and there are hopeful signs that it may
yet be carried into effect.
II such a treaty can be made under Ameri-
can and Mexican auspices 1t is probable
hat grim visaged war would smooth it's
wrinkled front and a new day Of peace.
progress and prosperity be inaugurated. in
hat part Of the world.