The New York herald., 1873-11-18

ARIA, which now lays claim to the Honduras flag,
put Which, when she lett Aspinwa last May,
called herself tho General Sherman and carried
American coors, affords me an opportunity OF
glancing at recent political events In Central
America, narratng what ls now happening and
giving slight forecast OF what is likely to occur
In that section OF Spanish America. at the same
time that attempt to prove that the vessel under
mention has been prostituting the American nag
to serve a party whose every principle and every
thought has been and is TO deprive the liberals
republicans OF power and return to the old au-
tocratc system inaugurated by Carrera and fol-
lowed up to within but a short time ago by Cerna,
Duehas and Medina
HISTORY THE DAY.
Ever since the destruction Of the federal form or
government in Central America the two most
southerly OF the five republics-Nicaragua and
Costa Rca-have been the strongest upholders OF
the doctrines OF the liberal party, and. had the
revolution OF 1869 in Nicaragua been successful 1t
is more than probable that up 10 now the changes
which have taken place in Central America would
not have occurred. At that time Cerna was really
life President OF Guatemala; Duenas, IN Salvador,
was about to be re-elected-a farce he would per-
form as often as necessary-and Medina establish
ing the socaled chivalrous order OF Santa Rosa in
Honduras gave clear notice that he did rot intend
to resign his command in hurry. 1t happened,
however. that many discontented with the state
OF affairs in Honduras, took refuge in Salvador.
and one who had attempted to obtain the
Presidency OF the former Republic, General
Xatruch, was appointed TO the command OF the
frontier department OF San Miguel This offended
Medina, who Immediately gave q like asylum to
refugees and political intriguers from Salvador,
aud to many he even gave important civil and
military commands. Recriminations followed,
and subsequently Medina published his ultima
tum, which, not being accepted, he Immediately
marched towards Salvador. This occurred about
May, 1871. BY this time General Gonzalez, now
President OF Salvador; General solares, OF Guate
mala, and numerous other leading men Of those
numerous weiwishers and a large number Of those
who are TO be found in all parts OF Central
America who only exist by revolution
FIGHTING
first commenced on the frontiers OF Honduras,
then San Miguel was attacked, and after several
days combat was taken by the invading forces.
The interior OF Salvador was next overrun, and,
finally, the battle OF Santa Ana resulted in q dis
astrous defeat for the combined forces of Salvador
and Guatemala. The capital then fell into the
hands OF the enemy, and President Duenas himself
was made prisoner with almost all his Ministers.
Gonzalez, as Provisional President, took command,
tered into communication with Garcia Granades,
the liberal asplrant in Guatemala, who was then
in Chiapas, Mexico, the adjoining State to Qua
temala, and Rufno Barrios, and plans were ma
tured for combined movement in Guatemala
The result was the overthrow Of President Cerna
and the installation OF General Garcia Granados.
Medina, OF Honduras. had been the one
who had given life to and allowed
the organization Of the forces which led to the
change OF governments in Salvador and Guate-
maa. He was the first to feel the effects OF what
he had done. So soon as peace was proclaimed
and treaties were being arranged, he demanded
that Salvador should pay the expenses Honduras
had been put to- and, In addition, make certain
concessions. Gonzalez refused asserting that such
an understanding had never been made.
THE RESULT
was that Medina commenced to threaten. thinking
that what MS assistance had brought about it
cosld again, and that, as he had been already the
republics, he certainly could again 40 the
same. But he was mistaken. From
urally deienceless portion OF the froners
OF Salvador were Immediately garrisoned.
maia sent troops to Gracias, and revolution In
the interior at the same time completely paraiyzed
him. Defeated on all sides and entirely hemmed
in, he finally ell INTO the hands OF his former sub
jects, and from that time TO now has remained q
prisoner in Comayagua Then commenced APP
parently for Guatemala and salvador ne W era OF
progress and Of peace; for 1t had been long that
in either OF these two countries for month at a
time all was IN peace. Revolutionary movements
were not spoken OF or political prisoners made.
Honduras, the other hand, positveiy gained
little by the change The new government took
charge only to ind that the Honduras Railroad
speculation had so depovershed the Treasury and
ruined the credit OF the country that 1t was next
70 Impossible 70 govern ana Stuery ,inpossioie 70
evils, 1t struggled with evidently good intentions,
II not with real success until posterior events have
occurred which have threatened not alone the
downfall OF its government but also those OF Sal
vador and Honduras.
Between three and four years ago the govern
ment OF Costa Rica was oyerthrown py what may
be called the then extremely liberal party and
Senor Thomas Guardin became President. At that
time man OF somewhat simple habits and appa
rently OF good intentions, his thoughts were imme
primary necessities OF the country-that ts imm
grafton and easier means OF internal communica-
tion. Immigrants were obtained though not in
OF the country and the number OF its
inhabitants, a colossal contract was made
work has been kept up on the road, and large
sums OF money have been spent Those who
pretend to know now assert It will never be con-
cuded. The innux or money thus caused q trip to
the United States and Europe OF the President
with dozen followers, and the fattery he doubt
opened to the minds eye OF General Guarda a
much greater future than that Of being the mere
mined, by laying claim to the sole right OF navi-
eating the river Colorado, through which the San
Juan now emptes ltself, TO compel Nicaragua to
cede certain territories and recognize the con-
trolling influence of Costa Rica In any interoceanlc
canal contract which might be made Directly
this intention became well understood in Nicara-
qua the government and the press took the matter
up so strongly that there appeared little chance
OF success by mere diplomacy.
REVOLT. Il
General Guardia then adopted other steps. For
some time, In fact ever since his ascension to
power, there had been strong influential and
wealthy party In the country which never ceased
to oppose him; consequently he was compelled
IL may have been relucantly-to exile many and
to adopt strong and even unconstitutional meas
ures Win Others These steps had led him far
ment he had enunciated wnen first he assumed the
presidency and thus placed him in q position to
listen with reader ear to the numerous friends
OF the former administrations OF Guatemala Saliva
dor ana Honduras who soon nocked in numbers
TO san Jose. Meanwhile the exiled Jesuts and the
greater bulk OF the clergy remaining in the
three Kepublics Just mentioned never ceased
for an instant their covert, and, In many cases
open assistance so 1t happened that at the com,
OF the present year arrangements were
Ht l