We told you on page 222 that Guatemala and Costa Rica would be glad to enter the federation, but could not do so without the full consent of their congresses. Word has reached us that Guatemala has signed the treaty which makes her a part of the new Republic. Costa Rica has not joined as yet. It seems that she has a little private feud on hand with Guatemala, and is not ready to make up her mind to join any federation that holds her enemy. She declares that she is the most prosperous of the five countries of Central America, and that she has nothing to gain by the federation. She does not believe that the new republic will be a permanent affair, and does not wish to join it until she feels more sure that it will be. To assure her of their good faith, the four other republics have offered to name President Iglesias of Costa Rica as the first President of the Diet which is to govern the republic. But Costa Rica still holds aloof from the combination. The object of the federation was to bring about a more settled state of affairs, and arrange for the friendly adjustment of all disputes with foreign countries. These five small republics, joined together with a common interest, should play a very important part in the affairs of Central America. * * * * * South American affairs are still in a state of turmoil, and Argentina has now been drawn into the quarrel. It seems that the Argentine Republic is in sympathy with the rebels, and has sent filibustering expeditions of men and supplies to them. The Uruguayan Government became extremely indignant at this, and endeavored to put a stop to such proceedings by invading Argentina. A force of soldiers was landed on the coast of Argentina, and a vessel flying the flag of that country was sunk by the guns of the Uruguayan cruiser. Argentina immediately replied by sending one of her gunboats to the scene of action, and making preparations for war with Uruguay. In the mean while the rebels have been gaining victories both in Brazil and Uruguay. The fanatics under Conselhiero (see page 741) have beaten back the Brazilian troops, and have recaptured Canudos. The Uruguayan rebels, on their part, have defeated the Government troops at Rivera, inflicting heavy loss on them. * * * * * There is a movement on foot to erect a monument to the memory of Harriet Beecher Stowe, the well-known authoress, who died on March 5, 1897, at the age of eighty-five. [Illustration]