The Black Hills union and western stock review. [volume] (Rapid City, S.D.) 1904-19??, 1909-03-26
Central America


Can peace be maintained in Gem
trail America? The question will be
answered very soon, and every in
dication points to an affirmative an
swer. IA satIM
Two years ago the i've Central
American republics entered upon
treaty designed to end the perpetual
warfare that had been going on. The
treaty called for the arbitration of
all future disputes between the sign
atory nations. A permanent arbi-
tration tribunal was created to set
tie disputes. The treaty was nego-
tiated in Washington and a confer
ence participated In by the United
States and Mexico. It was part of
the understanding that the advisory
nations should assume the obliga-
ton of seeing that the arbitration
provisions of the treaty were car
ried out.
President Zelaya, OF Nicaragua, is
cock Of the Central American walk.
He is a pocket edition Of Castro, the
late President of Venezuela. Zelaya
runs his country about as Castro ran
Venezuela, namely, as personal as
set. Zelaya also makes 1t his BUSH
ness to dominate the whole of Cen
trail America. Recently he has had
falling oft with Salvador, and
there have been rumors Of war, with
no suggestion OF arbitration.
Both the United States and Mexico
can see that II there is another war
in Central America AL Of the work in
favor of recent arbitration treaties
will have been lost. The situation
will be back just where it was when
Central America was an internation-
al nuisance by reason OF continuous
warfare going on there. II there is
to be any assurance of peace and or
der in years to come, the arbitration
treaty must not be allowed to 60 by
the board. If Nicaragua and Saliva
dor wish to disregard the arbitration
agreement, and resort to fighting to
settle their differences, they must
not be allowed to do SO. AS gnaran-
tors of the treaty it becomes the bus
mess Of the United States and Mex
leo to shut of the fighting and insist
upon arbitration under the treaty.
AS the situation stands the Amer
lean and Mexican governments APP
pear to be ready to intervene to pre-
vent war. The United States has
number Of war ships in Central
American waters. II land forces are
required the Mexican government is.
ready to furnish them. In all prob
ability show OF force is all that
will be required to prevent hostil-
tiles. President Zelaya, who is held
chiefly responsible for the existing
rumpus. has everything to lose and
nothing to gain by provoking inter-
vention. Already he has lost pres
tige through the withdrawal OF the
American minister. leaving him in
much the same position occupied by
Castro before he found 1t expedient
to move out of Venezuela. interview
ton should mean a death blow to
the Zelaya government. Incident
ally this would probably be the best
thing that could happen Nicaragua
and Central America as a whole.
Nicaragua and Salvador may make
up their minds to be good rather
than precipitate Intervention. II
they try to fight, the United States
and Mexico will step in and shut
of the hostilities without much
trouble. In either event the demon
stration will be to the effect that
further Central American troubles
can and must be settled by arbitra-
ton as provided in the treaty of
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. City Journal.