the hispanic nations of the new world-第23章
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another's territory by conquest； and to adopt； also； the principle of compulsory arbitration； proved impossible of acceptance。 Accordingly； from that time onward the matters treated by the Conference dealt for the most part with innocuous； though often praiseworthy； projects for bringing the United States and its sister republics into closer commercial； industrial； and intellectual relations。
The gathering itself； on the other hand； became to a large extent a fiesta； a festive occasion for the display of social amenities。 Much as the Hispanic Americans missed their favorite topic of politics； they found consolation in entertaining the distinguished foreign visitors with the genial courtesy and generous hospitality for which they are famous。 As one of their periodicals later expressed it； since a discussion of politics was tabooed； it were better to devote the sessions of the Conference to talking about music and lyric poetry！ At all events； as far as the outcome was concerned； their national legislatures ratified comparatively few of the conventions。
Among the Hispanic nations of America only Mexico took part in the First Conference at The Hague。 Practically all of them were represented at the second。 The appearance of their delegates at these august assemblages of the powers of earth was viewed for a while with mixed feelings。 The attitude of the Great Powers towards them resembled that of parents of the old regime： children at the international table should be 〃seen and not heard。〃 As a matter of fact； the Hispanic Americans were both seen and heardespecially the latter！ They were able to show the Europeans that； even if they did happen to come from relatively weak states； they possessed a skillful intelligence； a breadth of knowledge； a capacity for expression； and a consciousness of national character； which would not allow them simply to play 〃Man Friday〃 to an international Crusoe。 The president of the second conference； indeed； confessed that they had been a 〃revelation〃 to him。
Hence； as time went on； the progress and possibilities of the republics of Hispanic America came to be appreciated more and more by the world at large。 Gradually people began to realize that the countries south of the United States were not merely an indistinguishable block on the map； to be referred to vaguely as 〃Central and South America〃 or as 〃Latin America。〃 The reading public at least knew that these countries were quite different from one another； both in achievements and in prospects。
Yet the fact remains that； despite their active part in these American and European conferences； the Hispanic countries of the New World did not receive the recognition which they felt was their due。 Their national associates in the European gatherings were disinclined to admit that the possession of independence and sovereignty entitled them to equal representation on international council boards。 To a greater or less degree； therefore； they continued to stay in the borderland where no one either affirmed or denied their individuality。 To quote the phrase of an Hispanic American； they stood 〃on the margin of international life。〃 How far they might pass beyond it into the full privileges of recognition and association on equal terms； would depend upon the readiness with which they could atone for the errors or recover from the misfortunes of the past； and upon their power to attain stability； prosperity； strength； and responsibility。
Certain of the Hispanic republics； however； were not allowed to remain alone on their side of 〃the margin of international life。〃 Though nothing so extreme as the earlier French intervention took place； foreign nations were not at all averse to crossing over the marginal line and teaching them what a failure to comply with international obligations meant。 The period from 1889 to 1907； therefore； is characterized also by interference on the part of European powers； and by interposition on the part of the United States； in the affairs of countries in and around the Caribbean Sea。 Because of the action taken by the United States two more republicsCuba and Panamacame into being； thus increasing the number of political offshoots from Spain in America to eighteen。 Another result of this interposition was the creation of what were substantially American protectorates。 Here the United States did not deprive the countries concerned of their independence an d sovereignty； but subjected them to a kind of guardianship or tutelage； so far as it thought needful to insure stability； solvency； health； and welfare in general。 Foremost in the northern group of Hispanic nations； Mexico； under the guidance of Diaz； marched steadily onward。 Peace； order； and law； an increasing population； internal wealth and well…being； a flourishing industry and commerce； suitable care for things mental as well as material； the respect and confidence of foreignersthese were blessings which the country had hitherto never beheld。 The Mexicans； once in anarchy and enmity created by militarists and clericals； came to know one another in friendship； and arrived at something like a national consciousness。
In 1889 there was held the first conference on educational problems which the republic had ever had。 Three years later a mining code was drawn up which made ownership inviolable on payment of lawful dues； removed uncertainties of operation； and stimulated the industry in a remarkable fashion。 Far less beneficial in the long run was a law enacted in 1894。 Instead of granting a legal title to lands held by prescriptive rights through an occupation of many years； it made such property part of the public domain； which might be acquired； like a mining claim； by any one who could secure a grant of it from the Government。 Though hailed at the time as a piece of constructive legislation； its unfortunate effect was to enable large landowners who wished to increase their possessions to oust poor cultivators of the soil from their humble holdings。 On the other hand； under the statesmanlike management of Jose Yves Limantour； the Minister of Finance； the monetary situation at home and abroad was strengthened beyond measure； and banking interests were promoted accordingly。 Further； an act abolishing the alcabala； a vexatious internal revenue tax； gave a great stimulus to freedom of commerce throughout the country。 In order to insure a continuance of the new regime； the constitution was altered in three important respects。 The amendment of 1890 restored the original clause of 1857； which permitted indefinite reelection to the presidency； that of 1896 established a presidential succession in case of a vacancy； beginning with the Minister of Foreign Affairs； and that of 1904 lengthened the term of the chief magistrate from four years to six and created the office of Vice President。
In Central America two republics； Guatemala and Costa Rica； set an excellent example both because they were free from internal commotions and because they refrained from interference in the affairs of their neighbors。 The contrast between these two quiet little nations； under their lawyer Presidents； and the bellicose but equally small Nicaragua； Honduras； and Salvador； under their chieftains； military and juristic； was quite remarkable。 Nevertheless another attempt at confederation was made。 In 1895 the ruler of Honduras； declaring that reunion was a 〃primordial necessity；〃 invited his fellow potentates of Nicaragua and Salvador to unite in creating the 〃Greater Republic of Central America〃 and asked Guatemala and Costa Rica to join。 Delegates actually appeared from all five republics； attended fiestas； gave expression to pious wishes； and went home！ Later still； in 1902； the respective Presidents signed a 〃convention of peace and obligatory arbitration〃 as a means of adjusting perpetual disagreements about politics and boundaries； but nothing was done to carry these ideas into effect。
The personage mainly responsible for these failures was Jose Santos Zelaya； one of the most arrant military lordlets and meddlers that Central America had produced in a long time。 Since 1893 he had been dictator of Nicaragua； a country not only entangled in continuous wrangles among its towns and factions； bu
