Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-08-04

Washington, among the five Central
American nations, a series of treaties,
sponsored by the United States. At
that time the Ministers Of Guate-
mala and Honduras declared that their
governments had agreed to submit the
boundary question to arbitration by
| the President of the United States.
Neither Mr.. Harding, incumbent at
that time, nor Mr.. Coolidge, who sue
ceeded him, seemed very DESTROYS of
undertaking the arbitration, although
without openly refusing, and later di-
rect negotiations were again begun be-
tween Guatemala and Honduras. After
that came the period of frontier in
cidents.'' if they may be so described.
In 1927, upon a new advance being
made by Honduras. Guatemala REIN
forced her garrison in the frontier
town OF Chachagualilla and stopped
operations on railway line which had
been begun by the Cuyamel Fruit Co.
American as Mediator.
Public opinion became somewhat heat
ed in both countries, and after further
negotiations the governments agreed to
hold conferences in the town of Cuya-
mel, in which the mediator-the United
States-should be represented by one of
Its most competent diplomats, Mr.. Roy
T. Davis, now Minister in Costa Rica.
Honduras was represented by commits
sion which included Mr.. Coello, under
secretary of foreign relations, and Mr.,
Latnez at that time Minister of Hon.
duras in Guatemala. Guatemala in
trusted the defense of her interests to q
commission composed of an eminent
jurist, DR.. Carlos Salazar, and Gen.
Juan B. Padilla, prominent as an en-
gineer and military officer. It was hoped
better defined provisional boundary line
between the two states, but this was not
Done. After mature consideration and
detailed study of all phases of the
matter the Government of the United
States at last took a very important step.
Definitely putting aside the idea that at
some future date the matter would be
submitted for the arbitration of the
President of the United States, the Sec
rotary of State sent identic official notes
to the foreign Offices of Guatemala and
Honduras, In which he advised both
parties to submit the question jointly
and unreservedly to the decision of the
arbitral tribunal established by the con-
ventlon OF February z, 1928, a treaty
which unites as well as binds both. To
this tribunal full power would be given
to TX the dividing line between the two
republics, taking into consideration their
terests and to set the amount Of any
compensation which it might find
equitable and proper from one party to
the other.
The procedure established by the
treaty mentioned, later supported by the
Gondra treaty drawn up at the Pan
American Conference of Santiago, and
also by the treaties of Cancellation and
arbitration of Washington, affords every
guarantee
perhaps the most perfect method yet
devised, for the pacific settlement of
international conflicts. The attitude of
the United States merited, therefore,
the highest praise of international
juristS Of the whole world, and it was
believed that the conflict would be
settled, in time, in accordance with the
decision OF the friendly mediator"
Honduras Still Hesitates.
In Guatemala, as required by the
national constitution, the suggestion Of
the United States was submitted to
Congress, where, after thorough discus
reServedly. In Honduras, no decision
has been reached, and unfortunately
there is perceptible certain reluctance
to accept the procedure indicated.
For the good name of Central America,
it Is to be hoped that before long Hon
duras will accept this proposal, and the
long and troublesome conflict will be
settled in accordance with the just and
equitable procedure recommended by
the United States, under the most
modern practices as to human rights.
The gravity of the situation which
this conflict creates between Guate-
mala and Honduras should not be
overlooked, neither should it be ex-
aggerated. Only persons moved by
local excitement, or ill-informed news
paper writer's, have ever mentioned as
possible or probable war between the
two countries. As was stated a short
time ago by a Guatemalan diplomat
and writer, Mr.. Jose Tible Machado.
Guatemala and Honduras should not
forget that they are sister nations.
united by bonds of blood, of race and
of religion" The attitude of the peo-
pie is not belligerent. In Guatemala.
where in former times, following the
policy of absolutist governments, the
people were kept in the dark as to the
importance of the question, it is now
openly discussed and commented upon.
In that country secret diplomacy has
come to an end, and the results have
been most successful, since, without
manifestation Of war spirit or any
disorder, the whole nation has joined
with President Chacon's government
to defend, calmly and serenely, the
rights of the country. In Honduras,
now that new administration is TAX
ing over the government, headed by
men of ability and high ideals, it may
be predicted that the government of
President Mejia Colindres will also
favor methods Of Cancellation. At least,
that Is the hope of those who believe
that this conflict will be ended by
peaceable means.