The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1908-07-22
THE CENTRAL AMERICAN CRISIS

THE CENTRAL AMERICAN CRISIS.
There is beyond question a serious
crisis in Central American affairs,
which will put to a crucial test the
validity and efficiency of the whole
series Of treaties concluded among the
five states last fall Those treaties
provided that the states should remain
at peace among themselves, that all
disputes among them should be sub
mitted for settlement to an interna-
tional court of justice, that no state
in another, that no state should give
asylum to political conspirators or ref
ugees Of another, and that no revolu-
tionary government should be recog-
nzed by any of the states until it was
voluntarily validated by the people.
Admirable provisions they were, and it
was thought that they would surely
make for enduring peace.
At the present time, however, a con-
siderable insurrection is in progress in
Honduras, and it is pretty directly
charged that it was plotted in an
other state and is receiving active as
sistance from over the border. In Nj
caragua it is openly declared that Qua
temala and Salvador have officially
given aid and encouragement to the
refugees and filibusters who are OPP
Grating with them, and also where it is
intimated thaa the government of
Nicaragua is aiding that of Honduras
against the unfriendly Vaccinations Of
Guatemala and Salvador. 1t seems to
be a fact, at any rate, that the gov
eminent of Honduras believes that
Guatemala and Salvador have violated
the terms of the treaties of last fall,
and has consequently lodged formal
complaint against them before the in
ternational court of justice at Garage
1t ic, of course, gratifying circum-
stance that Honduras does thus appeal
to the court instead of going to war,
hut it is depressing to have two of the
states so soon accused of violation of
some of the most important stipula-
tons of the treaties.
It is to be assumed that the Hondu-
ras government will suppress the in
surrection in that state. But that will
| only be a part of what is needed. 1t
answer Guatemala and Salvador make
in court to the Honduran complaint,
what the progress and outcome of the
trial may be, and with what grace the
states concerned accept the findings of
the tribunal. Really, the validity and
efficacy Of the treaties are ON trial. The
result will be watched nowhere with
more interest than in the United States
and Mexico, the countries at whose
suggestion and under whose patronage
the five states came together and made
their treaties. There is some unofficial
talk of Intervention by these two pow
ers or by one Of them, in case of con-
flict among the Central American
states, but neither power has any
thought ct using force. There Is ne
r<ovision to that effect in the treaties,
as there Is, for example. in the Cuban
and Panaman treaties with the United
States, and it would be a very serious
matter for nation thus to intrude it
self into the affairs of others unasked
hand, it would be a serious and deplo-
rable thing, to both Mexico and the
United States to have the treaties of
last fall practically nullified and the
five states plunged into their former
condition of chronic pickering, and
both countries will use their good Of
fees to secure the fulfillment of last
years compact and the peaceful de-
velopment of Central America.
Gompers was "a jolly good fellow
until he determined to ask for the po-
litioal ,-iul,fe Of h Iabar ooharS9 1o,,+