We have told you before of the many revolutions that are constantly
taking place in South America, and that the people have become so
accustomed to them that they take very little notice of such things, and
no one regards a Central American revolution as a serious affair.

Now while it is amusing to make fun of these toy revolutions, some of
the best people of the country suffer severely through them, and to
these people they are very real and terrible. Those who suffer most are
the merchants. During the disturbances caused by constant changes of
government, trade cannot properly flourish, and many of the merchants of
Central America wish heartily that a means may be found to restore order
and give them a government which will be likely to last.

Some time ago a plan was made to form the five republics of Guatemala,
Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Costa Rica into one republic, under
one government.

At this time Mexico objected to the plan. She was afraid that a strong
republic at her doors might give her more trouble than she was likely to
have from the five weak little countries.

Attempts were made to carry the plan through, but it was finally
abandoned.

It was not, however, forgotten, and in January of this year the first
step was taken toward such an arrangement, by the union of Nicaragua,
Honduras, and Salvador, forming together the Greater Republic of Central
America. It was hoped that Guatemala and Costa Rica would also join in,
and in June of this year Guatemala did join the other republics.