Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-12-28
Strained Relations Between Brazil
and Argentine Republic Due
to a Forged Telegram.
BY WILLIAM f. CT RTIS.

which met In this city last winter, and
was inaugurated at Catargo, Costa Rica,
last July. 1t is composed of one eminent
jurist from each of the five Central
American republics, and has jurisdiction
over all questions that may arise between
the several governments or the citizens of
the different countries or between citi-
zens of Central America and foreign
countries. being permanent tribunal
continuously in session to prevent war by
removing causes of war. All Of the five
republics have solemnly agreed to submit
all their complaints against one another
to this court and abide by it's decisions
instead OF fighting about them 1t is an
intercourse. the first tribunal of the kind
ever established, and is a triumph of
reason over force.
Defendants Not Guilty.
The first case was brought by Honduras.
which accused Guatemala and Salvador
of having encouraged and assisted Ger
tain disaffected politicians from Hon.
duras to organize a revolution against the
present government of that country. Evil
dence and arguments were submitted as
in ordinary litigation, and Friday last the
court decided that Guatemala and Saliva
dor were not guilty, and that Honduras
has no claim for damages.
The decision was not unanimous: the
voted in favor of his government. Par
tisanship has not yet been eradicated
from the human system, and even a
Judge sometimes allows himself to be
governed by his sympathies. although it
must be assumed that in this case the
Honduran representative in the court was
convinced of the truth of the evidence
submitted by his government Cable
grams from Costa Rica say there are
e.even points in the decision; that some
n hnr cd H11yo ne A to
and others by vote Of to 2, without
giving the names OF the judges; but it is
assumed that Honduras was in the
minority on each point. and that the
| thized with Honduras and Joined in the
| complaint. cast the other vote where
| there were two in the minority.
y would have been much better had
| the decision been unanimous, but Secre-
| tary Root regards 1t, as 1t is, of the
greatest significance and long step in
advance toward the peaceful settlement of
all International questions. Such a court
| as this was proposed at The Hague. but
| the proposition was not adopted. It was
Tor Central America to set the example,
and BY the acceptance OF the decision
the five republics vindicate the principle
| involved, sustain the Jurisdiction of the
| court and admit its right to apply the
preventive remedy for war.
Settles an Acute Problem.
! Secretary Root thinks the decision of
] this court has disposed of most acute
| and difficult problem. But for its exist
| ence war would have been inevitable be-
cause Honduras was convinced that her
political eXiles were assisted to start a
revolutionary movement by the govern
| ment OF Guatemala, and there would have
been no way to settle the dispute except
| for the court.
Rtrt the court nNered ., ar;,h,. ,,&.
native to war; the dispute has been finally
settled. Honduras, which has been d.
feated. must accept the decision; the other
lour republics must approve it. and they
nave got to do the same thing again
whenever an occasion arises. The details
are therefore unimportant. 1t is not nee
essary TO know how or why the court
reached its decision. The fact of the de-
cision stands. and its acceptance by the
nVe governments puts a. stop to probably
another of the murderous and destructive
wars that have continually prevailed In
Central America
! Root Favors Court for Venezuela.
! While no decision can be reached for
some time. the Secretary Of State is think
ing seriously Of asking Venezuela to SUBJ
init the claims now pending against that
government by American citizens to the
Central American court Of justice. That
tribunal was not intended to do a general
arbitration business and under the con-
vention Of December 70, 1897, by which
1t was created, it's jurisdiction is ma .uraliy
| limited to controversies in which the Cen
trail American countries are directly in
| terested, but there is no reason why 1t
should not adjudicate controversies be-
tween other governments IL 1t is invited
| to do SO. the justices are permanently
appointed; they are not permitted to do
any other business. and they have no
cases on their docket. Furthermore. the
court is composed of some Of the mos,
eminent jurists in Central America; they
are entirely disinterested: they were not
! appointed with any view to the considera-
ton OF the Venezuelan claims. and are
not likely to have preferences Or preju-
dices In any direction. Therefore their
decision mustbe more impartia. than any
tnat could be expected from a tribunal
appointed for the express purpose, Or the
usual court of arbitration which includes
| a representative Of each of the govern
ments interested.
1t would be still better If the European
governments having claims against Vene-
zuela should also agree TO submit them
to the Central American court for the
same reason. Such action would elevate
the court in the opinion OF the world:
would add to its dignity and influence,
and be recognition Of the great princi-
pie 1t represents. 1t would also be a
cause of qualification and encouragement
TO other American republics.
Bacon to Succeed Root.
In case Secretary Root Is elected to the
United States Senate. as he probably
| will be the 18th of January, when the
| legislature of New York will hold a joint
| session for that purpose. he will resign
| the portfolio of state and Robert Bacon,
who has been his alter ego In the de-
partment will be appointed to serve dur
| ing the remainder of this administration.
President Roosevelt desires to confer an
honor upon Mr.. Bacon for his zeal and
usefulness and the successful manner in
which he has handled the many perplex-
Ing problems that have come into his
hands. 1t Is difficult to say whether Mr..
| Root or Mr.. Bacon has done this or that;
| 1t Is impossible to assign distinct part
| to either of them In the work that has
| been carried on in the State Department
since they have been connected with 1t.
Their relations are SO intimate and their
| cooperation has been so close that both
| have been equally involved in everything
that has taken place under their admin
| istration, and future SecretarieS of State
| will find il very difficult IN secure a rom