Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-09-04
Five Republics Are Considered
in the Plan for Anal
gamation.
COSTA RIGA ONLY COUNTRY
WHICH is HOLDING BACK
Guatemala, Honduras, Salvador and
Nicaragua Said to Favor
the Idea.

Diplomatic exchanges are expected to
be set on foot in Washington in the near
future, looking to a discussion between
the State Department and the five Cen
trail American republics of the possibility
Of forming a United States of Central
America.
Advices reaching Washington today
from Guatemala City, the capital of
Guatemala, are to the effect that Man
uel Estrada Cabrera, who has been presi-
dent of that country since 1898, is dis
posed again to take up this subject with
the United States government, following
negotiations, when Mr.. Blaine was Secre-
tary of State, which came to nothing.
The proposed United States of Central
America would consist of Guatemala,
Honduras, Salvador, Nicaragua and Costa
Rica. Four of these republics are declared
TO be in favor of the amalgamation plan,
hint of objection coming only from
Costa Rica. This objection, while not
definite. is said to be based on the belief
Of the residents of San Jose, the capital
of Costa Rica, that that city should be
selected as the capital of the proposed
United States of Central America, rather
than Guatemala City, the largest city in
pie of the other Central American re-
publics lean for the proposed capital of
the Central American United States.
Great Interest Manifest.
The prospect of these diplomatic ex-
changes has excited the deepest interest
in Latin American circles in Washington
and the subject constitutes the principal
topic Of daily conversation among those
whose fortunes are not bound up in
Mexican affairs. Members of the large
Latin American circles in Washington
who discussed the subject today with a
reporter for The Star are keenly alive
to the Significance of President Cabrera
being willing to open the subject again
with the Staff Department, and they see
in his reported attitude a willingness to
stand for possible election to the presi-
dency Of the proposed Central American
United States.
This willingness, it is stated, is not
unacceptable to many residents of the
countries of Central America. Latin
Americans other than Costa Ricans de-
clare that an attempt to compare Guate-
mala City with San Jose, in point OF ad
vantages as a capital of a republic would
be much like an attempt to compare
Washington with Richmond
affairs in the public eye, little attention
has been paid to rumors which have
lately reached Washington of the pro
posal to revive the project of Central
American republic. Latin Americans of
the diplomatic circle here did not wish
today to be quoted on the subject, but
they are nevertheless busy with the SUBJ
ject among themselves.
Change in Legation.
1t was stated today that there is to be
change in one Latin American lega-
ton here shortly, the legation of Costa
Rica not being mentioned, and that fol-
lowing this expected change whatever
negotiations there are to be will be
expedited
The proposed Central American Union
was last heard from at the time Secre-
tary Bryan proposed his treaty with
Nicaragua, which would secure to the
United States the right, upon payment
Of the sum of $3.OOO.OOO, to construct a
canal through that country-a right the
United States desires in order to pre-
vent any other country from constructing
rival to the Panama canal.
The project, however, is an older one
than that, and was approved by the
United States government when James G.
Blaine was Secretary Of State, at the
time he intervened when Mexico was
pressing Guatemala with vigor in regard
to boundary dispute between those two
countries.
President Cabrera Able Man.
In the last twelve or thirteen years
President Cabrera of Guatemala has
been one of the principal believers. in
such project He is popular man,
generally accepted as able, and lead
er among Central Americans. His
hobby has been education. He is said
n at ehnr cfo urh
has not permitted assassinations and
dispute in Guatemala. He is reported
as being extremely friendly toward the
United States. and as making it point
to send an adjutant to call on every
citizen of the United States who passes
through or visits Guatemala, inviting
him to call at the palace and discuss
American affairs
Guatemala City. Latin Americans in
Washington point out today. was the
seat of the captains general in Central
America during the Spanish regime be-
fore the republics threw off the yoke
1t has always been capital and is
said to be city of great wealth,
beauty and dignity.
Also Seat of Fashion.
1t is said also to be a seat of fashion
for Central America. and to have a
climate which is springlike in it's char
acter throughout the year. The city and
its environs have a population of about
10000
Latin Americans here recall that in
1883 the Central American Union was al
most an accomplished fact, under the
leadership of Gen. Barrios. Commissions
exchanged visits among the various gov
ernments with the purpose of concerting
a plan to carry out the proposed union.
Gen Barrios was. however accidentally
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