Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-09-08
CENTRAL AMERICA
DISCUSSING UNION
Republics Interested in the
Proposition to Organize on
National Lines.
COSTA RIGA HESlTATES
TO JOIN THE ALLIANCE
Senor Mendez, Guatemalan Minister,
and Others Interested Speak of
Country's Progress.

The possibility Of the early formation OF
a union of the five Central American re-
pubIics has been considered with interest
IN diplomatic and official circles in Wash
,ngton since the publication in The Star
last week of the news that such union
is talked of.
News just received in Washington from
Central America is to the effect that the
question is the principal one being dis
cussed in the five republics involved in
the discussion. Ways and means of
bringing about the union are now being
gone over.
In this connection 1t is stated that Presi-
dent Estrada Cabrera of Guatemala has
no ambition to become president of the
proposed union, but is willing, for pa
triotic reasons. to step aside for some
other man.
Before any president could be chosen.
1t is said it would be necessary to frame
adequate election laws. which would
make certain that the president would
be the choice of all the people and which
would prevent any man getting into pow
er through force or fraud
Costa Rica Doubtful.
Some disposition has been shown on the
part of Costa Rica to refuse to join III
any such union as is proposed, and the
possibility is being discussed OF forming
a union of the other four Central Amerl-
can republics 1t is recognized, 1T is said,
that the. only way the union can be estao-
lished is through peaceful means.
Some objections to the proposed union
have been raised on the ground tnat sew
eral of the republics are different In a
number of ways from the others, put
.x1l fha
these differences are not such as Wouio
prevent union.
Senior Joaquin Mendez. minister OF
Guatemala to the United States, mas
the plan, in which he calls attention TO
the progress which has been made Dy
his country under the administration OF
President Cabrera.
Discusses Published Statement.
The statement follows:
Two articles in regard to the union
of Central America have been published
in The Evening Star. the first one stat
ing that President Estrada Cabrera OF
Guatemala will promote negotiations
form one nation out of the republics OF
Guatemala. Honduras, Salvador, Nlcara-
qua and Costa Rica, this division of the
ancient federation of Central America
sAAS
writer Justly praises President Cabrera
as a statesman. and declares that he Is
a loyal friend of the United States, and
says that though four of the republics
are in accord Costa Rica might object
to this project. on the basis that her
capital. San Jose. should be the capital
OF Central America and not the city OF
Guatemala. which was the capital during
the Spanish dominion, and continued so
after the Independence.
THE second article. a statement of Ri
cardo Fernandez Guardia, ex-minister of
foreign affairs of Costa Rica, in which he
distinctly says that the opposition of his
country is based on the circumstance that
the Costa Rican government can only be
compared to the governments of the
United States and Canada, in the western
hemisphere, while the one of Guatemala
can only be compared to those of Asia,
thus leaving between the two such ad-
ministrations as those of Argentina, Bra
ziI. Chile and others of Central and South
America We really do not know il Fer
nandez Guardia is inclined to place these
on the side of those of the United States
Canada and Costa RIGA, or on that of the
Asiatics. We have always maintained a
very high opinion of the intellectually oi
Mr.. Guardia. but then even the cleveres'
men are apt to make mistakes.
For the tranquility of this gentleman
we can assure him that the news pub
lished in the first article Is not based or
the truth as Is established by an oficia
cablegram received by the legation Of
Guatemala.
I'VE are very pleased to see that the
testimony of the diplomatic representa-
tdves of the United States should be in
xoked- and we are sure that the Depart
ment of State can do justice TO poth
countries. Guatemala and Costa Rica
and If. in ref rring to the latter country
that testimony is very favorable. bei.ev-
ing in the fairness of their reports. natu-
rally a great deal of good must be said
about the first named country.
Friendly Relations Cultivated.
Many distinguished gentlemen since
1898 have had in their charge the Amer
lean legation in Guatemala. and they
have always cultivated the most friendly
relations. to the mutual benefit of both
countries, always manifesting themselves
highly satisfied with the work of peace
and progress Of the Guatemala govern
ment. This applies to the official as
well as to the personal relations which
these gentlemen have maintained with
President Estrada Cabrera. Every one
of them has expressed a very favorable
opinion as to his patriotic labor in pro-
noting the welfare of his country recog-
nzing at all times that he has been and
IL a sincere and loyal friend of the Unite,
States and is constantly striving II :.
fuse in his country, Dy means OF pabi!t
education. the ideas of civilization and
liberty which place the United States OF
America In such a high standing.
In order to obtain these great re
suits he has known how to keeK
peace in his own country as well a.
with his neighbors; the constitutions
order has never been altered: publ,
tranquility has allowed the mileage OF
railroad construction to be tripled an,
also good system of communication
has been obtained. Only twelve mile!
more OF railroad, already under con
struction. have to be finished for tn,
traveller to be able to go by train from
the United States to Guatemala Cit,
across Mexico"
Views of C. F. Secord.
Still another statement on the situa
tion Is contained in a letter written b,
Charles F. Secord, who has been ;
medical missionary in Guatemala To-
fourteen years. to a friend in New
York and published in the New Yorl
Times
Mr.. Secord points out in his lette
that conditions In Guatemala are mucl
misunderstood in the United States
He aavs that the cOnntry ia