Hall to George D. Bayard, May 8, 1885

Mr. Hall to Mr. Bayard.

Sir: Within a week after the recent declaration of peace in Central America, the President of Salvador submitted, by a circular, to the several Governments of the other four states a proposition inviting their co-operation in another attempt to bring about a union of these states under one central reorganization. With this object each state was invited to send five plenipotentiary delegates to a congress which it was proposed should meet at Santa Teela, Salvador, the 15th of the present month, this congress to have had full powers to adopt a federal constitution and other measures for carrying out the proposed union.

In the same communication is announced the firm resolution of President Zaldivar to retire from the government of Salvador, and that he should only await therefor the action of the proposed congress. The proposition of President Zaldivar has the appearance of a purpose on his part to take up the project initiated by General Barrios in 1875 which he twice attempted to carry out by peaceful means, and latterly by force, all of which terminated in absolute failure.

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In answer to President Zaldivar’s proposition, the minister foreign affairs of Guatemala refers to the steps taken by his Government in 1875 and in 1883 in favor of the union; that a union of these states is its settled policy, but considers a renewal of the subject at this time, so immediately after the recent failure, as altogether premature, and of course will not send delegates to the proposed congress of the states.

Costa Rica declines the proposition in terms similar to those expressed by Guatemala. Nicaragua rejects the project and the invitation to participate in the proposed congress with illy disguised contempt. Honduras alone proffers her unconditional acceptance.

I inclose a copy of the circular, and a copy of the official newspaper of Salvador containing the replies of the several states, with translations, to which I respectfully invite your attention.

The reunion of these states under a confederated Government appears to be an essential part of every political creed in Central America. The constitutions of all the states recognize the principle in some form, like the following in the new constitution of Salvador:

Salvador considers herself a disintegrated section of the Central American nation and is ready to unite with any and all of the Republics, into which it is now divided, for the organization of a national Government whenever circumstances may permit or it may suit her interests. * * *

President Cardenas, in his message to Congress in January last, referring to the same subject, in connection with the mission from Guatemala and Salvador in 1883, says:

The Government accepted the idea with enthusiasm, and, counting already upon its acceptance by Honduras and Costa Rica, appointed delegates to the Diet, and was about to communicate to them ample instructions, when official information was received that the Government of Costa Rica, in deference to popular clamor, had withdrawn. The Governments of Guatemala, Salvador, and Honduras were then consulted as to whether a meeting of the four states could have any practical result. To this Guatemala replied negatively, and the project was thus frustrated. We cannot otherwise than lament this result, which postpones the day of the realization of that great idea.

It was generally understood at the time that the failure of the project of 1883 was due solely to the popular repugnance, outside of Guatemala, to General Barrios, the presumptive President of the confederation. But so far as I have been able to judge from my associations with the Governments, leading men and people of intelligence in these countries, there is not, as is generally supposed, any really sincere sentiment among them favoring a union of the states, their protestations to the contrary notwithstanding; if such a sentiment has existed of late years the recent conflict and the bitterness engendered thereby will no doubt serve to suppress it, and years must elapse before it will be revived.

I am, &c.,