Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-09-29

WARRINGTON, September 2S.-Ne-
gottations arc now under way that
formation of u new and wealthy Ameri-
can republic. which will probably be
called the United States OF Central
America. Furthermore the negotiations
leading to this new federation may be
held in Washington and at an early
date.
conference OF Central American re-
publics to discuss u Central American
union was recently suggested to the
governments Of Nicaragua. Salvador,
Guatamala and Costa Rica by DIR. Ber-
.rand' who Is the President Of Hon
ouras. His suggestion met with n re-
spohse which showed that tho same
laea had been cherished by all of them.
me government Of Nicaragua, which
sent It's reply only few days ago. add
ed the suggestion that the meeting be
held either In Panama or in Washing
ton' u C., instead OF San Jose Costa
tica, as DR.. Bertrand had suggested
wherever 1t is held this meeting
VIII almost certainly come about, and
IL VIII be meeting OF great signif-
cameo In the development OF Latin
America, and the relations of the
southern republics to tho United States.
particularly significant is the sugges-
zion or Nicaragua that the meeting
be held at Washington. For Nicaragua
mas long been In state Of military
occupancy by the United states This
suggestion from the Nicaraguan gov
eminent shows how 1t feels about the
aid tho United States government has
given It, For our marines. not only
killed. rev revolutionists and cstab-
ished peace, but they fed starving peo-
pie, and showed n genuinely friendly
Spirit. They then established them
selves ut the capital In tho somewhat
dubious status OF legation guard, and
the fire-breathing editorial writer's of
the local press proceeded to emit hot
invective against them and their de-
signs. But 1t soon became apparent
that their only design was to keep the
peace by supporting an honest govern
ment Nicaragua, which had been the
most revolution-ridden OF all these
perpetually revolving little countries,
knew long period OF peace and pros
pcrity The marines became "mucho
amigo" all through the country. The
Nicaraguau forces. instead OF tlghtinE
them. played baseball with them, and
strovc to emulate them in such mat
tiers az clean linen and polished shoes
Turbulent Country PncIned.
In this way the most turbulent OF
the flvc little countries was pac.fied.
Aother sphere OF American influence
and example was established at Pana-
b
ment supervises elections, and other
wise helps to maintain a peaceful and
orderly state.
AS n result partly OF these influences
and partly Of. their own progress the
Central American countries have OF
late years enjoyed unusual peace and
prosperity, and tho recrudescence of
America is n natural result. For those
little republics were one state under
Spain. and they were once a free fcdc-
ration for few years. The leaders
in all Of these countries realize that
In union lies their best hope OF pros
perity and strength. They have been
deferred from realizing their ideal OF
unity by those revolutions and wars
which are the disgrace OF ali Latin
America.
To the casual reader of newspapers.
who has never travelled In these coun-
tries. their case seems wcll-niEh hope
less. for their history is OF nothing
but wars and plots. Their lack Of sta
bility Is an international joke. They
are the prey OF concessionaires and
hlibusterers. All OF their officials are
grafters.
This picture has been quite true in
the past. and Is all too nearly true at
present. but there are clements OF
progress in all OF these countries which
are to triumph In the long run. The
ignorance OF the masses OF their peo-
pies is at the bottom OF their difficult
ties. Roads and schools are their great
needs. The educated Central American
fully realizes both the shortcomings
and the possibilities OF his country,
and he Is Il patriot OF the most fervid
sort. But he has not the funds Mo
realize his dreams. And he Is often
literally forced to be n revolutionist
and a CRATER. because In his national
politics he has to compete with revo-
lutionists and grafters lie must re-
sort to fighting and plumber to accom-
plish his ends, because they are the