Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1922-11-27
RETORT COURTEOUS

A y INVERSION Of the relationship Of
"A guest and host is at first suggested by
the announcement that the United States
has been invited by the Central American
republics TO participate in tho conference
when Will open in Washington one week
from today.
The situation. however. Is not quite 50
!onsy. .turvy ms 1t supcrfcialy appears.
While 1t ia true that tho ronc'nve program
10 stabilize tho region living between Mexico
ana Panamn. to promote order and recip.
roral condolences there, TO limit ornaments.
suppress revolutionary activities and es,nb.
iish foundations Of mutual progress was
originally North American conception, the
oih'ial part to he played by the United
Statcs in the sessions was not AZ the outset
clearly defined.
invitations to the Governments Of Guate.
fna'n. Salvador. Honduras, Costa Rica and
Nicaragua TO dispatch their ENJOYS TO Wash.
ingt"n {" ''s""e" problems Of common in
ter'st were sent out by the state Depart.
mont. Acc"ptances of the Eve countries
followed. but there remained the possibility
OF the United States assuming merely an
unofficial advisory role. as in the Tacna.
africa rarlsy between Chile and Peru.
Practical difficulties and diplomatic deli.
cac!es OF such status are now scnsibly re.
moved by the cordial offer Of partnership.
The conference becomes one Of six nations
instead Of five. and the United states.
10 which the inspiration Of the meeting may
he traced. is thus spared the emba rrassmen.
o! seeming, with whatever excellent intcn.
lions. to patronize the little rrpui''e. hut
assuming position Of osten-!bc detachment.
actually influential. but without formal re.
sponsiblities. The preliminary accom-.
plishment Is happy one and ausurs favor.
ably for the execution Of a constructive and
n 'uaily beneficial program.
II Is more than probable that the eventual
result will be the negotiation Of a six. Power
treaty Of friendship and co operation In
addition to covenants between the Ave tropi-
cal republics. The completion OF both acts
will contain the promise Of new era for
Central America.
II the suppression Of the kind Of political
brigandage involving the inception Of revo-
lutionary movements by unscrupulous lead.
crs protected by convenient frontiers can be
achieved. steps toward an authentic union
Of Central America. promises Of which have
been so dishearteningly broken for nearly
century, might be taken with comparative
ease.
The maintenance Of armies ou. Of all
proportion TO the real needs Of the five
states so similar in origin and social and
racial structure is. Of course, an absurd
and costly. as it is in many instances a
tragic. nhsurdty.
The path toward n firm and consistent
union Of the republics and toward helpful
relations with the United States untnnted
with npprchensions and suspicious arising
from misunderstanding is plainly laid out
for the conference.
This Government stands not merely as o
mighty. angus. and too consciously superior
parent. but ms a comrade and fellow worker
in tho inspiring cause "i America" soil.
dari,y. II IS an auspic!ous prelude to ses.
siors that may prove in their ultimate con-
sequences 10 be momentous.