New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-03-28
PRAISES TRIP OF KNOX
Central American Lawyer Says
Visit Will Do Much Good.
MISGIVlNGs IN SOME PARTS
IFS Effect on Peace Called Great.
err than Fertilization of
the Panama Canal.

Dr. Bensario Susrez, leading lawyer OF
r.rtrsl America and high oficial Of the
.ov.rnnent Of Salvador in the administra-
,,on If President Figueroa, has Just ar
,,ved IN this city from Guatemala, eno
,.vA Yesterday the first direct views Of the
psor1s whom Secretary Knox has been
,tsiting "a to the spirit in which they look
unor this visit and the good which Or.
sya-e8 said ne was sure II would accom-
,rsh The distinguished Central American
raid that although in some parts there were
r,itgiv7ngs as 10 the purpose Of the trip OF
secretary Knox. he never had any doubt as
IN the result. which, morally. he declared
made as much for the peace Of Central
America a. the fortihcation of the Panama
Canal
And" said pr. Suarez. we feel that the
Friendly sentiment which has been fostered
,s IN no small degree due 10 the statesman
.bir and sincerity Of President Taft in his
rolicv toward us, which fear, would be
s,ss+Iv interfered with by any change In
This government"
In his own country. Or. Suarez regretted
a. say. President Araujo has not shown the
same frieudllness toward the United States
,ba, no was able to observe in Guatemala,
,ba largest Of the Central American repub-
lies The first impression in Salvador when
the visit Of Secretary Knox was announced
VS. that II had 70 do with an intended alb
.orrfior Of salvador and possibly some OF
her reighbors
An evidence Of tho distrust If this coun-
~ hv President Arsuto was irstanced by
y suarez in the proposed loan which Sal
he ~
Guatemala Railroad. running from La
Union, Salvador. 10 the frontier If Guate-
Y7sls This road is an American enter
Prise The Salvadoresn President wanted
10 cancel the concession and 10 do 60 he
had to raise loan Of 100000. President
Arauio refused to negotiate this loan In the
United States preforrins 10 90 10 Europe
for the money
But take Guatemala, for example said
Or. Susrez. a country 1--WE or six times as
Iich as Salvador and the most progressive
ST. Central America. There Secretary Knox
had his most sincere reception. lmmedi-
a,eIy the enemies Of President Manuel
Estrada Cabrera took advantage Of the oc-
casion TO declare that II was all done in a
spirit Of self-prOtection, whereas II was
nothing more than the sincere action Of the
culture Of Guatemala, especially on &C
count Of the friendship between that coun-
Try and the United States
But perhaps President Estrada Cabrera
took the greatest pride to show to Secre-
tary Knox the Indian OF the country in mis-
natural condition and then point TO the
younger generation II the Indian in school
With the promise Of what he will be in the
future IT was a sound proof Of the prog
rcss OF the country under the fine school
system Of education which the President Of
Guatemala has established. and while ne
Eas maintained the necessity OF barracks
he f. not continually increasing those that
he already has. There is no greater ad-
No~ste Of peace i'm Central America than
President Estrada cabrera His enemies
have had much 10 say about his absolute
'ule lie rules only within the laws and
the constitution, and If he were unable to
do that he would he without power and
there would be "A condition of anarchy.
Secretary Knox undoubtedly observed
on his trip the strong sentiment for
union Of the Central American republics.
OF course each country wants one OF !ts
mon As the head of such proposed union,
hut to my mind there is only one person
who could successfully fiji that Office, and
he is Estrada Cabrera, who beyond doubt
viii he chosen if the plan for the union is
carried out.
We realize that the principal interest
Of the United States Is TO see that We have
peace. and 10 that extent the government
g. Washington is right In its policy toward
Central America. But my advice Is not TO
mix In the politics OF those countries,
With the completion Of the Panama Canal
II will be easier for this country 10 effect
the maritime control Also before the
- Union OF the countries can be accomplished
there will have to be link of railroads
t.uding all the republics, for without il
there would be harm instead Of good.
I'VE hope that this will be accomplished
with American capital. Investment by
force however, would be a political error
We regret that At present because Of an
inadequate steamship service between this
country and Central America, and the un-
favorable business methods, We have 10
give to England much Of the business
which We would like TO give to the United
States.
Morally speaking the visit Of Secretary
Knox is the keystone Of the temple for the
conservation Of peace In Central America
stronger even than the fertilization OF the
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