Evening star., 1921-05-15


~ open declaration by the
n United States of a policy
which opposes the formation
OF a federation of Central America,
the belief exists here that, unless
this country defines its sentiment as
favoring union Of the Central
Americas, the union from the outset
is doomed to failure. When Guate-
mala, Honduras and Salvador unite
under one government next fall.
there is little doubt that the new
nation will receive recognition from
the United States. But whether this
recognition is sufficient without son e
formal expression of sympathy and
approval is question which is
| worrying the proponents Of a Can /.
trail American union.
Nicaragua's refusal to join thu
proposed union so far has PROVED
to be the greatest stumbling block
| in the way Of it's success. And Mica
| ragua's refusal is said to be. on very
good authority, directly traceable tt
the United States. 1t is an open
4! secret that Nicaragua was strongly
| coming party to the union because
of the fear that complications might
arise over the Chamorro Bryan
| treaty. which provides for the con-
struction of a canal through Mica
| ragua by this country. should the
need arise.
In order to clear the way for Mica
raguas entrance to the union and
| remove the treaty obstacle, artlcie
| w Of the pact of the union was IN
| serted, which reads, freely translated,
as follows: while the federal gov
| ernment, by means of diplomatic ex-
| ertions, should not have obtained the
modification . of the existing
| treaties between the state of the fed
| Grafton and foreign countries, each
| state will respect and shail perform
| faithfully it's duties concerning the
| treaties by which they are bound to
| foreign nations in the full extent OF
J the existing agreements"
Article ". however. apparently
| failed to meet Nicaragua's objections,
| and Nicaragua refused to join the
pact. Costa Rica is SO situated, geo
| graphically, that Nicaragua's absence
may prevent her joining. and thus two
strong states may be prevented from
| Joining a federation which may fnd
handicap too strong Tor existence WIN
out their membership.
Aside from the fact that formal ap.
proval of. the union by the United
| States probably would mean Mica
ragua's joining the federation, there
is another aspect. A y new nation, 81 .
struggling over the difiiculties ESQ., oi its 5
| strong and powerful ally. 1t is easy
| to forecast that an expression or ap-
| proval on the part of this country
| would be followed by like express
sions on the part OF other repupilcs
| of Latin America.
| For eighty years, since the destruc-
tive ambition of political malcon-
| tents destroyed the Federal Repup-
| lie of Central America, there mas re-
| mained the thought and ambition TOT
national reconstructlon. se'e1aa nnre. LIN.
| the people have attempted to accom-
! pIish this by force or by PACIFIC meth
! ods. but each time political lnnuences
| have frustrated the peoples desire
! The people of Central America are
said to be convinced that the separa-
tinn Of their respective republics has
! heen the cause of frequent reVoiu.
! tions and financial losses. For tha'
! reason. the hope of union in Cen
trail America is very strong.
| Central America places great nop'
in the present administration. Presl
dent Hardings utterances have peer
most favorable as regards 1rIenoly
ICo-operative spirit between the onltet
states and her sister repub!lcs OF th'
south. Particularly gratifying TO tne
the anpointment of Secretary Hughes
TO the mission which Central ane
south American countries sent te
President Harding's inauguration the
ISecretary Of State said:
1--WE have and will have no ulteriol
purpose with respect to any or tne GA.
renublics of Latin America. We wish
to helm to common prosperity
through the safeguarding of the op;
nortunities of peace the fostering ol
Friendship and of mutually advanta.
geous commercial intercourse. we
1 Ss+ foil IN realize that we car
have neither security nor peace
unless reason rules and justice is as.
sured. We are all collaborators IN
that great endeavor. and We are look