Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1924-12-28
BY HENRY L. SWEETHEART.

TIME year 1924 has been marked
by a general movement for
ward, both in political and
i economic lines. among the re-
publics of tho Western Hemis-
phere. Despite several slight defec-
tons, the year on the whole has been
ono of progress and of rising pros
perity among the Fl American repub-
| lies.
the year in the Latin American world
and in the relations between the
United States and the other member
nations of the Pan-American Union
have been the following:
| /. The submission by Chile and
Peru to the President of the United
States of their final documents in the
arbitration proceedings in the Tacna-
africa case. The two governments
concluded their arguments and pre-
scented them to President Coolidge,
through Secretary of State Hughes,
April IL last This important inter-
national problem is now in the hands
of the President of the United States
awaiting his award-his decision as
arbiter-which is expected in the near
future, some time in the early part of
1925. While no official announcement
has been made, it is believed that this
eagerly awaited decision may be given
within tho first two or three months
of the coming year, probably before
March 4, when the present term Of
the administration comes to an end.
Peaceful Elections Significant.
2. The holding of peaceful elections
both in Mexico and Cuba and the
lauspicious inauguration into ONCE De-
cember 1 of Gen. Plutarco Elias Gales
as President Of the former republic.
The newly elected President of Cuba
will not assume Office until next May,
but the successful elimination of the
elections there without any unusual
disturbance Is looked on as marking
distinct advance for republican in
situations and for free and fair cleo
lions. The era of revolution which
prevailed for some years in both of
these countries seems to have been
superseded by an era OF peaceful
progress. Honduras, in Central
America, has not Jared so well during
the past year, and for a considerable
part of the time carried on a destruc-
tive civil warfare, which resulted
from the inability of the Honduran
political factions after a three
cornered fight to reach an agreement
in regard to the presidency.
5. The withdrawal of the United
States marines from the Dominican
Republic. after they had been sta
toned there for almost eight years,
and the Inauguration of a new con-
stitutional government there was the
fulflllment of a promise which had
been made by the Government of the
United States that it would evacuate
the republic as soon as q stable gov
eminent had been set up there. This
having been accomplished and the
Iconstitutionally elected President hav-
ing been indicted into office, the
American flag was lowered and the
| marines sailed for various home posts.
Nothing which the American Govern
| ment has done years past, 1t has been
authoritatively stated, has helped
| more to improve its international re-
lations with. the other American re-
publics than the official declaration
that the Americai military occu-
pancy, which had aroused consider
able criticism in some quarters, was
about to come-to an end. The decla-
ration was soon followed BY the fact