Evening star., 1932-03-06
CARIBBEAN NATIONS SEEN
NEAR POLITICAL MATURIT
Stability After Outbreaks in Ell Salvador
and Costa Rica Cited as Proving Sue
cess of Popular Government.


OF the republic, to assume the reins Of
government in the absence Of the Pres
ident-but from the point of view Of
the other Central American countries
and from that of the United States
Gen. Martinez cannot be recognized as
Chief Executive of Salvador because he
was also a member of the cabinet Of
the ousted President
Gen. Mariners recognition Is barred
By treaty. Not even the argument that
the Salvadoreans never accepted that
particular provision Of the 1928 treaty
and made specific reservations to il at
the time of signing the treaty helps
them in the emergency, for even If FL
Salvador is not bound by that provi-
sion, the other signatories Of the treaty
are, and so is, tacitly, the United States,
which promised to adjust her Central
American policy to those lines. And it
Is they who must accord such recogni-
ton.
SaIvadorean Claims UnrecoEnized.
At best the contention of the Saliva
doreanS that the clause they objected to
in 1928 is not valid as far as they are
concerned. entities the Salvadoreans to
recognize any foreign government they
please, irrespective Of the treaty, but it
does not release the other parties of
the reaty from the obligations of that
clause, which they accepted in good
faith. El Salvador may recognize any
foreign government headed by a person
barred by the 1923 treaty. but the other
Central American countries cannot en-
JOY that privilege. Nor can the United
States, which agreed to observe the
spirit of the treaty.
And so, few days ago, the special
representative sent to Washington by
Gen. Martinez to discuss the possibilities
Of recognition left for San Salvador
discouraged, broken hearted, but prob
ably convinced that today, more than
ever, the State Department is deter
mined to help the Central American
nations to preserve there that era of
more democratic ways, more orderly
changes and greater respect for treaties
which has already given signs of exist
ence
While am speaking of special presi-
Dental ENJOYS to Washington-just an
old Central American custom-it may be
timely to point out that in a few days
Secretary Stimson might have before
him the test case of his new Latin
American policy. Two confidential rep
resentatives of Central American Pres
ident-though they appear as delegates
of the two contending political parties
are at present in Washington sound
ing out State Department officials as to
the possible favor with which certain
political plans of the said Chief Execu-
tive may be looked upon by the Govern
ment of the United States.
Treaty agreements between the two
nations and the presence of United
States Marines at the present time In
that Central American country make
the attitude of the United States Gov
ernment particularly important for the
carrying out of those plans. It is prob
ably only after they had been examined
and indorsed by the Secretary Of State
that the plans would have any chance
of realization.
Danger in Intent Of Plans.
Now the danger lies in the nature Of
such plans Apparently for the purpose
of effecting electoral reforms which may
or may not be indispensable at the
time, they seek the meeting Of con-
stitutional assembly, the real aims Of
which appear difficult to ascertain. The
prevailing opinion in Central American
circles is that the assembly would be
asked to change the constitution so as
to permit the reelection of the in
cumbent or the extension of his period,
which comes to an end next December.
That is, the same comedy the same
IdulJ WHICH pIONOkcO dIHlCO 1cDcluOHo
in a number of Latin American coun-
tries in the last two years against ex-
ecutiveS who wanted to perpetuate
themselves in power. II such plans are
allowed to be carried out, what I said
at the beginning of this article about
the progress of democratic institutions
in Central America would certainly not
be true. Hence, that I consider this
case test for the new Latin American
policy Of Secretary Stimson.
Precisely because it has such para
mount importance, I prefer to leave
this matter for a subsequent article.
Suffice it here to say that the indigna-
ton aroused throughout that country
and the other Central American states
by such political maneuvering is one
more proof of the growing distaste with
which public opinion in Central
America regards today the tortuous
methods of old-fashioned politics.
mentioned in the first paragraphs Of
this article the recent occurrences in
Costa Rica as bearing evidence of demo-
cratic progress in Central America.
Evidently the overwhelming way in
which the Costa Rican population con-
demned and squelched the armed up
rising Of a defeated candidate in last
months presidential elections affords
the best proof that political movements
for solely personal. selfish, purposes can
no longer command popular support m
Latin America. But this, too, space
limitations compel me to leave for a
future article.
(Copyright, 1922