The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1922-11-14
TOPEKA STATE JOURNAL
Information Bureau
EREDERIC J. HASKrN. DtrecOor,
Washington, ID. O
CENTRAL AMERICA TO CONFER


lean financiers and investors as well
as those of other great commercial
and trading nations of the world are
looking forward with undissuised in
terest to the conference to be held in
Washington on December among
the five Central American Republics.
This conference recently was called
by the secretary of state TO discuss
extension of the doctrine of national
disarmament ard of peaceful inter-
national cooperation to Central
America. The five states of Guate-
mala. Costa Rica. Honduras, Salvador
and Nicaragua are those to which in
yitations have been sent. British
Honduras is a British colony and the
Republic of Panama occupies rather
unusual position under the adjacent
influence of the American canal zone.
and while they have not been included
in the present invitation, it is expected
they will adhere to any, general agree
ments reached.
TIL great importance of the confer
ence from the point of view of Amer
lean financial and commercial inter-
ests is that it offers a promise of re-
moving the greatest menace to de-
velopment of trade in Central Amer
ica-politicaI instability. The asenda
of this conference will be somewhat
wider scope than that of the confer
ence on the Limitation of ornaments
held at Washington>among the great
military and naval powers last year.
1t is expected to include some aspects
of the economic question, which nee
essarily win be affected by any agree
ments reached in respect of disarma-
ment and the establishment of peace
full relations.
Since o. Henry wrote "Cabbaees
and Kings and since Richard Hard
ing Davis and other writers of the ro-
mantle school first published their
tales concerning Central American
countries, these states have rested
under a prejudice so far as trade, the
great stabiliZer is concerned. Capital
is timid and dislikes to venture into
places where it may be subjected to
sudden assault and destruction. NOS
novel of Latin America, revolves prin-
cipally about the investments of Brit
ish and American citizens. The story,
recognized as a faithful representa-
world, shows what difficulties con-
fronted development of foreign CAPT
tai. Indeed, an entire boatload of
silver is actually stolen, boat and all. |
A Comic Opera World.
With such tales as these reposing |
in the minds of American investors
they are not likely to rush their dol |
lars to Central America to run these |
risks. The American conception of !
Central America is that of q. comic |
opera world where revolution is the
central and recurring plot. Events
have justified such an opinion as
much as the stories of the noveliSts. |
Only year ago, the government of |
Carlos Herrera, president of Guate- |
mala, who was elected by an over |
majority of votes. was over |
thrown by a bandit genral who had |
just been out of jail. In the most ac- |
cepted comic opera manner, he Or
ganized a band of some fifty soldiers !
and brigands. started a revolution, |
threw the lawful president and his /
into Jail, executed many and |
took possession of the reins of govern |
ment
President Harding entertains the
hope of putting into effect during his
administration a policy which will |
end such lawlessness and political dis
turbance. The conference which has /
been called for December 4 is the first
step in such an accomplishment.
The president thinks that it is time |
the whole of Latin America was sta
bilized and developed. His general |
plan of bringing this about is, first, |
an agreement upon disarmament |
which will deprive the warning fac
tons of supplies of arms and am
with which to continue their
If the December confer
ence accomplishes this it will be
carrying the theory of world diSarma-
ment full stride further than the
to go. It will be establishing the i'm
portant precedent of the disarmament
Of land forces 1t will be recalled that |
the great conference of the military
powers was unable to undertake this
important step because of the objec-
ton of France, based on her hesitancy
to lay down her sword while the Red
army of Russia stood fully armed.
With the precedent established in
Central America, it seems possible
that the European land disarmament
question may be preached anew.
With the disarmament scheme, this
government hopes to develop out of
the conference an important new poll
icy of political stability in Latin
America In the past it has been pos
sible for such revolutions as that led
by Orellana in Guatemala a year ago
70 become successful. Incredible as
L may seem, even the American gov
eminent recognized the revolutionary
government of the bandit general, be-
cause it appeared to be the only thing
10 do. 1t was merely another chap
ter in the long story of revolution and
1surpation of power in Latin America. L
This revolution was partially respon-
sible for planting in the presidents
mind the idea of a new policy of sta
oilization in the southern republics.
New Sterilization Plan.
This new plan provides for the re-
noval of the premium on revolution
and disorder which now obtains and
which is keeping American capital
out of these countries. The plan
would provide that in a case where a
new government sets itself up by mill
AIRY revolution and without the sup
port of the people. all other American
governments shall withhold recogni-
ion and so far as possible suspend in
.ercourse.
No revolutionary government long
could stand in the face of such boy
sott- The question of authority would
nave to DE submitted to popular cleo
ion. Should the popular vote be in
favor of the new government, unani-
nous recognition by all the American
-epublics would follow. Should the
leonle vote TO rGstore the old goYern-