ele vation are void of timber. In the Central American Republics, the mountains and high elevations are covered with timber and there is regular rainfall in the valleys, no long dry seasons, that require irrigations, like in Mexico. The oranges, limes, lemons, pineapples and tobacco of Central America have no superior in the world. It would be developed by Americans, our own people, who would use American goods, as they do now, and the peopling of the se republics by good loyal American subjects would make them a bulwark of safety to the United States.
If you will assume a temporary protecto rate over those republics and give them free entry into the United States with anything they raise, Food active Americans will go down in Central America and fill up and develop that country as fast as they can get there. There will be only one menace and that is the United Fruit Company.
There MUST BE a merchant marine service from Central America to the ports of the United States. Coods can now be shipped from Mississippi River points to Central America via New York and Hamburg, cheaper than via New Orleans and United Fruit Company boats. ve seen Studebaker wagons and carriages unloaded from German steamers for Guartemala trade, that had been to Hamburg, The United Fruit Company steamers carry United States mail but will not carry fruit of any kind for tariff rates, they will buy it (at their price) but will not carry it for the grower and thus they have a monopoly.
German language is taught in the public schools of Guatemala by German professers, the expenses secretely borne by the German government and thus a pro Geman sentiment created and built up.
This should be an object lesson to us and if you went another, look at British Honduras, an English dependency, where eighty per cent of her people read and write, where law and order prevail and life and property rights are safe.
There is a boys school in San Pedeo Spanish Honduras supported by the English eslyan Church, where for twenty years from fifty to one hundred Spannish boys have been given a rudimental course, many afterwards foing to the United States for comple tion of their education and the benefits of that school are felt to day by many of the leading men of Spanish Honduras. have talked with Spanish men in Central Americe, gradua tes of Rose Polytechnic of Indiana and Cornell Uriversity. They have begged me to try and assist the starting of good schools, especially industrial schools for boys. The kirls too should not be neglected, a training school where girls could be taught right ways of living and domestic science along with the regular literary course would prove a wonderful uplift. Any permanent improvement ard uplift must be begun from the bottom.
Having gone over the fround pretty well, will close with a few sugestions.
First. temporary protectorate over all Central limerican Pepublics thus restorinę order and permanent reace.
Second. reciprocal trade treaty, which would encourage the growing of citrous, fruits and tobacco, people and develop the country.
Third. Establishment of nonsectarian schools, in large towns in the five Republcs (where English should be one of the studies) also two Industrial Schools in each Republic and one Central experimental fruit farm, also arrangements be made to assist praduates to attend Collenge in the United Sates.
Fourth. Government, interstate Commerce control of shipping from Central America to United States or a Merchant Marine. beliove if this tter was placed before the leading people of these republics, it would meet their cordial endorsement and approval, especially should it be brought to the Spanish business men and land holders and let them demand it of the politicians as