Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1917-11-05
STRONG CENTRAL
AMERICAN STATE
MAY Be CREATED
REPUBLICS OF SALVADOR, COSTA
RIGA, GUATEMALA, HONDURAS
AND NICARAGUA CONSIDERING
ESTABLISHING A FEDERATION
OF STATES. =.

NEW YORK, NOV. 1.-TWO lncheS OF
type, with headlines so diminutye as
t., appear self-effacing, told the read
ers of the American newspapers few
days ago that the Central American
republics were taking steps to unite.
1t was stated in brief cablegram
from Salvador that the movement to
form substantial Federation of Cen
trail American States was well under
way; that the President of Honduras
had originated the plan of uniting;
that all of the other four republics
Salvador, Costa RIGA, Guatemala and
Nicaragua-ha signified their will
ingness to attend a conference look
ing to this union and that demonstra-
vorable responses to the proposition.
Had such news come to the Ameri-
can newspapers four years ago, when
all the nations of the earth were at
peace and drinking delight in fools
paradise" at The Hague, the headline
writer's hand would not have itched
from idleness. Had it been intlmated
to us of the United Statess that a re-
public was forming close to our Pan
anna Canal, with a total population
just 100000 short of Canada's, with
seacoast of a thousand miles on the
Atlantic and a thousand miles on the
Pacific, and with a standing army Of
more than 100000, at least we would
have looked at one another and re-
marked: Important, if true"
The truth of the matter is that,
should the movement now well under
way in Central America prove sue
cessful land there now seems little
doubt of it,, a republic will be form
! ed between the United States and the
Panama canal more than one-third as
large as Mexico 1t will be a political
union of states, which, with the pow
e. of making treati with all the first
class nations of the earth, might one
of these days come to figure in a sig
nificant with in the affairs of all the
Americas.
For nearly a hundred years these
tiny republics of the Caribbean quac-
ter have not been getting along well
together. Rebellions would rise
T., ,o,,1r tI,o,,, on ,,,itbf,, +},oy, ard 4ba1,
were not potential factors in the
shaping of the earth's history Their
own development was retarded by
these continual quarrels, and while
! they were rich in natural resources,
this wealth was of little worth u
them. Ships from the powerful ma
tions of the earth would pass their
ports, take away whatever hey had
| to sell, and that was about all they
could boast in the making of world
history
When the Honduras Consulate at
! 81 Broadway was asked for informa-
ton concerning the causes that led to
this movement for unity of the Cen
trail American republics at time
when the worlds map was being
changed in other ways abroad, Senior
Andres Sertano, the Consul, smiled
and said with a shrug of his Shout
ders: MY dear sir is it not time for
some countries to be building up in
stead of tearing DOWN."
at is very pleasant to discuss this
matter for an American newspaper,
| for. should this republic be formed,
we of Central America viii have more
ability to develop our friendship with
our powerful neghbor, the United
States. OF course the bulk of our
trading is now, and shall continue to
! be, with the United States.
"As to the beginning of this move
ment, let me say that it appears to
have come up all of sudden. 1t is
the outcome of another movement al
| together. You see. these five repun-
! lies of Central America-Guatemala,
Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa RIGA and
Salvador-since 1907 have been deal
ing with one another through what
was known as the Central American
Court of Justice This was establish
ed at a conference held at Washing
ton in 1907, and it has worked well.
Before that time the republics Of Cen
trail America were always quarreling
with one another. Now, the Court Of
Justice was to hold for ten years, and
I the time of its existence will expire
next year Some time last August the
/ President of Salvador, through his
Secretary of Foreign Affairs, wrote a
letter to all the other republics ask
ing that convention be held for the
purpose of renewing the Court of JUS
tice.
'1t was in replying to this letter
4t,o4 H. Drocidnpt Of nv COuOtr>.