Evening star., 1922-11-19
CENTRAL AMERICA READY
FOR LAND DISARMAMENT
Problem Before Washington Conference
Next Month a Knotty One, However.
Present Armies Too Large.

Rica. with larger population and a
greater area to patrol than Honduras.
maintains a much smaller army.
Armies Too LarEr.
This comparison would Indicate that
a majority of the Central American
republics maintain armies out of all
proportion to their size and existing
necessity. and that a plan for their
reduction cannot be based on an arbi-
traily fixed percentage. but must h"
built on a foundation that insurcs
the removal Of any necessity for the
further maintenance of armies of AK
greSsion or defense. 1t is an altru-
istic undertaking for Central Amer
lea. but the opportunity for succ. as
WAS never greater. 4
AS far as the need for armed forces
is concerned, one of the delegates en-
pressed the opinion that the agree
ment reached among the Central
American republics aboard the L. S. s.
Takoma in September. by which each
republic agreed to keep its borders
rid of political exiles. will do IS
much as any one thing to prevent
revolutionary outbreaks. And revo-
lutionary movements. which have the
habit Of springing up overnight IN
Central America. have been the chief
excuse for the amies. An administra-
tion has not felt cafe in the past un-
less protected by an adequate army.
and the larger the army the greater
chance for the administrations per-
manency. Provided political exiies
are kept out of Central America and
away from the temptation to buy
over winning percentage of the
army and stage revolt, there VIII
1nd
protection.
Union Action Unlikely.
Whenever representatives of the
Central Americas gather in confer
ence the old talk of union of Cen
trail America is heard. Whether any
such topic will be taken up by the
present conference. however. is ex-
tremely doubtful in the light Of re-
cent developments. 1t is believed
that a treaty of amity among the
Central American republics. which
will serve the purpose of drawing
them closer through the bonds OF
friendship and commerce, will serve
the. purpose Of providing a step to-
ward a union. and a step. 1t is be
lieved, is about all that is possible
now. A union Oh the CentfAl Americas
must come slowly. The failures IN
a century of effort show it cannot ne
formed in few hours. or days.
around a conference table. 1t must
develop with the growth in under
standing of the people.
waahfngtOn Has Advantages.
The selection of Washington as the
meeting place for the Central Amer
icas is a happy one. Away from the
influences Of home. and free to seek
the advice and guidance Of larger
and more experienced republic. the
delegates will be able to accomplish
far more in whatever they undertake
than would BE- possible elsewhere.
One Of the delegates expressed it very
frankly. THE Central American
breathes and lives on politics." he
said. Here in Washington I hope We
can steer clear of anything politica !.
I would prefer. myself, to have your
Secretary of State. Mr.. Hughes. at
tend all our conferences with Il
/ schoolmasters rule in his hand. And
/ would like to see him ready to use
It properly the minute any delegate
shows signs of trying to work politics.