Evening star., 1918-05-19

They made money in handling the cof-
fee crop, then they made more money
by the fuctuating exchange, and then
again more money by the fluctuations
lin the currency itself.
Germany was thus able to bring
some very powerful influences both
directly and indirectly to bear on
Guatemala to prevent the government
from allying itself with the United
States. All Germany wanted was
directed by Berlin. Nevertheless. last
year tthe Guatemalan government
sent a military mission to Washing
ton with what were understood to be
pretty definite instructions.
Members of the mission conferred
possibly more with the State Depart
ment than with the War Department.
and this was understood to be for
the purpose of Strengthening out va
rious unsettled diplomatic questions.
Guatemala and her neighbors. in
which the good office. Of the United
States might be employed. But the
main purpose of the military mission
was to let 1t be known that Guate-
mala was not under German influences
States.
x>H
This attitude was confirmed a short
time ago when the Guatemalan ma
tional assembly declared that Guate-
mala occupies the same position to-
ward the European belligerents as
does the United States. According
to Minister Mendez this action con-
stitutes q declaration Of war on Ger
many and her allies. Previous to the
action Of tho national assembly there
had been. the minister said. an ex-
change of notes between the State
Department and the Guatemalan le-
cation.
1t was late in April when Guate-
mala severed her diplomatic rela-
tions with Germany and placed at
the disposal of the United States all
her elements for the common defense
in the world conflict. There is sig
nificance in the form in which this
statement is made: BY placing her
Is var resouress ..ns at the disposal Of the tn
leadership Of this country and when
the peace settlement comes of course
will be found acting with the United
States.
Germany will be compelled to make
new treaties with Guatemala, and
these treaties naturally will not be
allowed to contain anything that the
United States may regard as bad for
Guatemala or bad for herself. This
status will make for homogeneous
United States and the Central Ameri-
can countries which shall have de-
clared themselves in a state of war
with Germany.
How far the action of Guatemala
and Nicaragua will influence other
Central American countries is likely
to be determined by the developments
OF the next few months. Costa Rica
Is in something Of dilemma because
President Wilson has refused to rec
ground that 1t is a revolutionary gov
ernment. Nevertheless. 1t has man.
aged TO maintain itself without rec
ognition Of this country for nearly
two years. In September last It broke
many. Lately there have been revo-
lutionary activities In Costa Rica,
or rather In countries adjoining Costa
Rica, with view to upsetting the
nfc" r. me t.sd ct which Pres
The government has declared that
these attempts are the work Of Ger
man agents. and has set about put
ting them down with foreigners. But
Of Washington just as Nicaragua
ana Guatemala are assured of its CO.
operation. Whether the State Depart
ment takes tho view that the revolu-
tionary activities in Costa Rica are
the result of German intrigues has
not been disclosed. The situation is
anomalous and embarrassing. but ul-
timately may be worked out to every
body's satisfaction except the kaiser's
Honduras is likely to be influenced
by the course Of Nicaragua and
Guatemala. There is always conten-
ton as to whether Salvador or
whether Guatemala shall control Hon
duras. but in the existing circum-
stances 1t would seem wise tor Sal.
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