The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-04-15
Carranza Fosters "Basis for
Treaty Made by Bertrand
and Melendez.
GUATEMALA IN PERIL
SalvadOreans to Control, With
Melendez as President of
New Republic.
Special Despdtch 10 THE srx

Hpiu TanClSCO
Bertrand. President of Honduras. and
Carlos Melendez. lately president Of
Salvador, have agreed upon what is
termed the basis OF treaty by which
the constitutions OF the two countries
eharl be annulled. the nations amalga-
mated into one republic. Melendez ele-
waited to the presidency Of the new ma
ton and Bertrand TO the vice-presidency.
This remarkable document THE SUN
is able to outline accurately. The State
Department refuses to admit or deny
that It is aware of the terms Of the
document or that n copy OF II is in the
possession OF the United States. 1t ia
understood on excellent unofficial au-
thority. however, that the Acting secre-
tary OF State is fully advised of this
Development in cenral America.
Carranza Approves Plan.
The move toward consolidating the
two countries, which has been furthered
BY the present Mexican Government as
much as possible, is looked upon here as
OF far more Importance than any orti-
nary Central American move of the kind
otherwise would be- Venustiano Car
rama, President of Mexico. Is understood
here to be thoroughly in sympathy with
the plan affecting Honduras and Saliva
dor. The result would be to squeeze
Guatemala in between the new nation
and Mexico.
In the light OF this development the
recent establishment of a radio station at
Acajutla, Salvador. by Mexicans has
taken on added Importance. as it would
permit Carranza to communicate with
Melendez and others in Salvador without
having to use the British and American
controlled cables along the coast.
The agreement in substance follows:
1. The republics of Salvador and
Honduras shall be united. with Car
los Melendez. lately President of SAL
dor. as President of the new nation
and Francisco Bertrand, President of
Honduras. as Vice-President
2. Bertrand shall resign and turn
over the powers OF the Presidency of
Honduras to the President Of the
new nation.
g. San Salvador shall be the can't
al Of the country.
T. The new President shall form a
Cabinet from the elements in the
combined republic most agreeable to
him. and the Vice-President II he de-
sires shall have a portfolio in the
Cabinet.
8. The institution of military
measures to carry out the plan shall
rest with Melendez. who may order
the garrisoning of the west frontier
and the north coast of Salvador with
Salvadoreans Contact with Guate-
mala occurs at the points named).
. 9. The expenses of this mobiliza-
ton shall be borne by Salvador.
2. Honduran forces may be en-
Saivadorean chiefs who have grad
ated from Salvadorean military
schools.
8. The existing constitutions of
Salvador and Honduras shall be an
nulled.
o. new constitution for the COM
bined countries shall be framed when
the time is deemed "opportune by a
constitutional assembly, the delegates
to the assembly being drawn from
the two nations in proportion TO pop
ulation."
Gives Salvador Control.
It is provided In this agreement, which
ID understood to have been made to be
able to reach Estrada Cabrera, Presi-
dent of Guatemala, that the amalgama-
ton shall take place during the present
year.
Apparently in furtherance of this plan
and In order to have a man In the Presi-
dency upon whom he can rely to do his
bidding, Francisco Bertrand is pushing
the candidacy OF Nasario Soriano, his
brother-in-law, for that position.
The terms under which the Constitu-
tion of the new republic will be drawn
up, coupled with the fact that the army
of the two nations when merged would
be under Salvadorean trained officers
entirely, would give Salvador complete
control of the situation. On the basis Of
relative population Salvador would have
about three times as many delegates at
tending the proposed constitutional as
ssmbly to frame a new constitution as
would Honduras
No formal protest has yet gone TO
the State Department from any OF the
other Central American States. AS a
matter of fact the terms of this secret
agreement between Melendez and Ber-
trand have not been known accurately
enough until now to form the basis OF
seeking the intercession of the State De-
partment to prevent 1t being carried out.
The Legation OF Guatemala Is expect
ing orders, however, to take the matter
up with the American Government on
the assumption that a copy of the agree
ment has reached Guatemala City by
this time.