The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-09-15

causes for disagreement are to be found
In boundary disputes. When the Central
American States secured their freedom
from Spain II was agreed that the boun-
daries should be those usoi by the Span
ish Government in it's administration OF
the colonies. During the early years the
feet that these were not clearly demar-
Gated was Of little consequence. but in
recent years. with the gradual develop
ment OF the outlying regions, they have
assumed considerable Importance. The
Governments of the United states.
France and Spain have all been appealed
to at various times as arbters In differ
ent disputes, and while there has been
little difficulty In drawing up salts
factory settlement the lack OF correct
maps and surveys has made It impos-
sible at times for the spirit of the award
to be carried out In actual fact. AS a
result several OF the boundaries drawn
up by the arbitrators are still In dis
pute.
The one which has come the nearest
10 causing serious trouble is that be-
tween Honduras and Nicaragua. Part
" II Is clearly marked out by large riv-
'rs, but a section through the noun
aims in the interior has been discov-
red to cross some rich gold fields In the
neighrurhood of Jalapa. the possession
Z ~nnuh Is GAINED by both countries
,ur State Department has been appealed
to and efforts are now going on to
tdSrdicate the matter.
The delineation OF the Guatemala
Honduras boundary has also been under
discussion for great many years. In
1905 a boundary convention was drawn
up. but the matter Jagged until 1915,
when a new convention was drawn up
and ratified under which demarcation
| Is proceeding by q joint commission
While the outlook is therefore rather
| dubious II Is nevertheless to be noted
| that there Is a serious attempt heing
made on the part OF the Central Amer
| lean countries to overcome their mutual
jealousies Commissions have been des-
patched to Guatemala by both Costa
RIGA and Salvador. with the direct pur-
pose of effecting a more cordial under
standing between the countries named
When an earthquake ruined large
| part of Salvador short time ago
| Guatemalan citizens came TO the aid or
the Salvadorians in a very material way
and a considerable feeling OF friend
ship was created between these two
countries. Mexico also is attempting
| in every way possible to help In this
development Of friendly relations and Is
a very important factor in the actions
| Of Nicaragua to-day.
Countries Prosperous Now.
| Accordingly, then, the friends of Cen
| trail America are hoping. and with
certain very good basis for their hopes,
that the upheavals in Costa Rica and
election disturbances in Honduras Will
produce no untoward circumstances
which may hinder the peace Of Central
America. Never have these countries
| been as prosperous as they are now.
| Guatemala has been able to pay interest
| on her foreign debt for year In al
vance, Honduras and Costa Rica are
daily becoming more important on ac-
count OF their vast mineral and agri-
cultural possibilities both are very
large factors in the banana trade Ana
| Nicaragua, which In the past has
rivalled Honduras In the slowness Of its
commercial Development. has actually
accumulated surplus I'm its treasury.
The future, therefore. can ne said
! to be much brighter than the newspaper
accounts OF wars and rumors of wars
| would Indicate. And in the future the
attitude of the United States is bound
to play very important part. IL We
are to be of avail in helping the estab
lishment of good will among these coun'
tries we must remove the distrust which
Is felt toward us. We must see to II
that such causes of friction as ouI
purchase from Nicaragua of the Corr
Islands, TO which Costa RIGA has q
claim. shall be adjudicated. We mus
see to 1t that our Government takes
active steps to prevent the ilibusterins
which has been going on from this coun
try And finally we must take some
definite stand toward the recognition OF
de facto rulers which will put an enc
to the vacillation which has been sc
conspicuous OF late and which has giver
Latin Americans TO believe that recogni'
tion depends chiefly on the personal
whims of those who have in charge the
policies of our State Department