Evening star., 1922-08-27


this hope on the fact that the pro-
posed conference would approach
the union from a new standpoint.
that of first cementing the CONNER
cial ties between the republics. i'm
proving their communications and
standardizing their forms of eX-
change before attempting to form a
political union. Heretofore the pro-
position has been approached from
the latter standpoint, with disas-
trous results in every case.
While there has as yet been no Of
fetal announcement. it is stated on
very good authority that the con-
ference will be held here in WASH
ington at the invitation of the United
States government. Free from an
atmosphere which might be strained
because of national jealousies and
home politics. the conference, it is
believed, probably would accomplish
more in Washington than in Cen
trail American capital. while the ad-
vantageS Of receiving at first hand
the good offices of the United States,
if requested, would count for much.
Two Yet to Sign.
So far. Guatemala and Costa Rica
have not signed the treaty which
was renewed last week between
their neighbor republics. But it is
not considered probable that Guate-
mala and Costa Rica will remain
outside this new agreement, espe-
cially in view of the fact that the
United States played the part of in
formal host at the gathering which
resulted in renewing the treaty to
which they were former signatories.
And the door has been left open for
them to enter merely by signifying
their desire. But until Guatemala
and Costa Rica- decide to enter the
agreement there's the chance for
the slip 'twixt the cup and the lip.
1t will be remembered that not
year ago everything was set and
waiting for the final ceremonies
which would proclaim the existence of
the Central American union. But Mic
aragua, in this case. and Costa Rlca
were holding out. The union was to
be formed by three other republics
Guatemla, Honduras and salvador
looked lovely. Without warning
came a revolution in Guatemala. The
Guatemala minister to the United
States, who was to have been presi-
dent of the new union, became
political exile. and plans for the
union went to smash. as they have
been doing systematically every now
and then for the last hundred years.
Even as this is written, dispatches
hint of a revolution in Guatemala
which may restore the government
overthrown last winter.
Prospects for Success.
But from the beginning this new
effort on tho part of the Central
American republics augurs well.
First, the step was taken under cir
which indicated the SYM
pathetic interest of the United
States. Secondly, plans have been
made for a conference in Washing
ton which will be held while the
memory Of the successful outcome
of the Chilean Peruvian negotiations
Is still a fresh example Of what can
be accomplished around the confer
ence table, and. third. the terms of
an agreement reached in Washing
ton are going to be such that no
country can afford to fail in their
enforcement.
The purpose Of the treaty of peace
and friendship signed by the Cen
trail American republics in Wash
ington fifteen years ago was to set
tie amicably all differences which
have been disturbing elements in
Central America. For some time the
of the treaty had been open
to dispute, and it was at the instance
of President Chomorro that its terms
brief cablegrams, the reports re-
ceived by the diplomats here have
been confined to Associated Press