was an imperial edict, ordering that every official, in the
districts where Hungarian is spoken, must be able to speak both the
German and Hungarian language within five years.

This has given great offence to the German-speaking part of the
population; they cannot see why they should be forced to learn
Hungarian, and the Hungarians insist that no officials can properly
govern a people unless they can speak their language.

These two questions have set Hungary and Austria at variance with each
other, and it is feared that Hungary may not be satisfied until she has
severed herself from Austria, and once more become an independent
kingdom.

* * * * *

There is fresh news from the Greater Republic of Central America.

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.