Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-12-19
Peace in Central America.

|
| According to an article which appears
In the news columns of The Star today
the prospect for peace in Central America
is brighter now than ever before. Not
only through the conventions which have
been formulated. and are about to be
signed by the delegates to the conference
which is just closing, for presentation
to their respective governments, hut
| through the agency of a newly formed
| federation" which is to propagate the
principles of peace and progress, will the
forces which make for harmony and ad-
vancement operate upon the people of the
| five republics. This is a fortunate conclu-
| sion of conference which was begun
under the happiest Of auspices, and has
| been conducted wisely to satisfactory re-
| suits.
Central America is by nature designed
as single political organization. The ex-
perience of the five republics has stead
lastly for many years pointed to the union
of the states as the only true solution of
their difficulties, their constant bicker-
inss, their costly revolutions and their
backwardness in the arts of peace. Mutual
jealouses, however, have interfered with
the plans of the farsighted citizens of
the I'VE states who have recognized the
value of political union. Wars have in
terrupted the work of education. Revolu-
tons have thrown progressive officials out
| of power Controversies with foreign
countries have hampered the work of en-
llightenment.
NOW the opportunity seems to have come
at last for a propaganda with enlighten-
ment as its prime object, with the most
progressive Municipalities of the five
states united in federation pledged to
advance the cause of peace and prosper
ity. Through the good offices of the
| United States and Mexico a conference
has been held to the end of preparing
treaties which establish, first, a supreme
court of Central America, in effect an ar
bitration tribunal to adjust all differences
| arising between the republics and all
claims filed by or against citizens of for
eign countries; second. conventions be-
| tween the republics to harmonize the
monetary. customs and railway systems
of the states. These establishments in
themselves should stand as guarantees
not only of better understanding, but of
actual advancement toward the ideal of
political union.
II appears from the articles printed to-
day that one of the main objects of this
newly formed federation" is to promul-
gate a clearer conception in Central
America of the policies and politics of
the United States, so that any sus-
picion of this country's motives now
lingering in the minds of the people of
Salvador. Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Hon.
duras and Guatemala may be swept away
This Is a most beneficent enterprise. A
campaign of education along these lines
should yield results that eventually will be
expressed in terms of a broader spirit in
Central America. a more widespread ap-
probation of the good will and good faith
| of the United States and ultimately a
clearer vision of the duty which the Cen.
| trail American owes to himself, to GRASP
the opportunities which nature has spread
before him and to take his rightful place
| in the worlds economy.