Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-12-13

such an order was recognized by each Of
the Central American governments.
1t Is charged that in certain of the re-
publics this obedience was only formal
and was not as thorough and complete as
it might have been. but the failure to
obey i'll detail might be charitably at
tributed to the novelty of the proceedings.
The presidents of republics are not accus-
toned to receive any such instructions
and naturally they might be little slow
in obeying them for the first time. How
ever. the precedent is established: the
court of justice at CatargO Is acknow!-
edged to possess the right to forbid hos
tilities between the nations. 1t has al
ready done SO, and it's orders have been
obeyed.
That is the vital point In the proceed
ings. and. having obeyed the command of
the court, they must stop their prepare-
ton for war and appear before that tri-
bunal to give an account of their con-
duct. There was no resistance. there was
no manifestation on the part of any gov
eminent to refuse to submit.
Honduras presented evidence to prove
that Salvador and Guatemala were guilty
of a breach Of public faith and a violation
of the treaty of Washington, and is re-
sponsible for the loss of lives and prop
erty resulting from the Honduras revolu-
ton.
Why Nicaragua is Also Party.
Nicaragua presented recital of events
and declared that her government is in
terested in the present contest for the rea-
son that 1t participated in the Washing
ton treaties; because it is concerned in
the maintenance of peace in Central Amer
lea: because it's territory borders on that
OF Honduras, and because of the posSib, e
participation in the conflict of Nicaraguan
emlgrants. who might attack its own tran
quillity. 1t charged that the governments
ha
stiSatOrs of the revolutionary movement,
and prayed the court to adopt such meas
ures as would be effective in preventing a
repetition of the trouble.
Guatemala and Salvador submitted evil
dence in their defense to prove that they
had nothing whatever to do with the up
rising in Honduras and had not encour-
aged it in any way. The president of Sal
vador submitted kilograms which he had
sent TO notify the president of Honduras
OF the revolutionary conspiracy and even
told him where the conspirators had con-
cealed their arms and supplies.
Defense Claims Treaty Violation.
Both defendants claim that the spirit
| and the letter of the treaty has been vio-
lated because Honduras did not attempt
to reach an understanding through the
regular diplomatic channels before drag
ging them into court. and because it is
treaty of peace was made last winter and
Honduras should have permitted them to
have an opportunity to explain before she
made her accusations. Both Salvador and
Guatemala plead that Honduras had not
complied with the terms of the treaty
that the evidence submitted is not suffi-
cient TO prove that they had anything Ia
do with the revolutions; that the court had
no right to take jurisdiction at its own
Initiative or to undertake to settle dis
pute that had not been subject to diplo-
matte negotiation. Guatemala pleads that
the action OF the court is an attack upon
| her sovereign rights. by dragging her be-
| fore its bar without giving her chance
| to discuss the subject with Honduras.
The court has received and conside; ed
all the evidence. and its decision will be
rendered on the 18th of December. OF
| course. no one can anticipate what it will
| be, but. without regard 10 the local ques-
| tons involved. il is of the gravest impor-
| lance to the entire wor d because of the
precedent it establishes.