The New York herald., 1876-12-17
GUATEMALA.

ACTION OF THE NATIONAL CONGRESS AFTER
THE LATE wAR-0ENERAL BARRIos pREs1-
DENT FOR FOUR YEARs-AMERIcAN CONNER
CIAL INTERESTS.
General OF Division Don Jose Lopez Uraga arrived in
this city few days ago from The Republic OF Guatcm
ala bringing tidngs Of peace and prosperity there as
we'll as in tho other Central American republics
Tho name Of General Uraga is familiar to tho old
readers of tho HERALD, who will readily remember
that hc in distinct periods Gencra-n Chief OF
the Mexican Army, and aferward recognizing the EN-.
pire OF Maxmilian, tho General became chief Of the
imperial household. He has written in the Spanish
language number of military works that are highly
esteemed In Spanish American countries. Lately
General Uraga accepted in the army OF Guae.
mala, and Major General OF the national forces
which were last spring engaged under President Bar
in the against San Salvador II Is understood
that the veteran General is here commission con-
nded to him by General Don J. Ruhno Barrios, the
weknown President of Guatemala
General Uraga says that tho Congress Of Guatemala
assembled The 9th of September last. in obedience
to tho call OF tho President Tho deliberations OF
this the first regular legislative body Of that country
were lengthy, satisfactory and harmonious The Con.
gress approved OF all the dccrecs ssued and
adopted by the government Of General Barrios both
with respect TO the lato with San Salvador and
also tho steps which had becn taken in the direction
OF reform and material progress OF the country. And
further proof Of the esteem and appreciation in
which the representatives OF tho people held
President Barrios. they passed unanimous
vote, declaring him .Benemcrito de Ia pafr,a"
10 which they proclaimed sI hm presdena uaSn fop
the term Of tour years. The President thereupon
announced that future his policy would as had
been in The past one OF peace and Of
all members OF society His ardent desire is to
develop the agricultural resources and commercial
~tl,ftn Nf -
to the utmost degree within his power.
The late change OF Ministry Ia notice OF which has
already appeared IN these columns) exceedingly
popular with the people, especially with those OF tho
city oil Guatemala who, when they heard that tho old
bringing the war with Salvador had gone out OF
oce. went in crowds 10 serenade and congratulate the
President upon the happening OF thie much wished
event.
The great northern road which the government SO
ardcnty desire TO complete from the capital OF Guate.
maa to the port OF Izaba tho Gull OF Honduras
is now being pushed forward with vigor. When IN.
lshed this highway ior commerce VIII enable Amcr-
factures and other classes OF merchandise straight
TO GUATEMALA CITY,
with It's 65 600 souls, intne short space Of thirteen
days from New York and nine from New Orleans. As
things are now II takes all OF thirty days moro or
less 10 get an nvocc OF goods transported from these
ports 10 Guatemala by way OF Aspinwall. the Panama
Railroad and the Pacinc coast. Besides, The
which will be saved by the new routo
prices Tor freight are sure to undergo desirable re-
duction Of perhaps ny per cent Allowing this 10 be
SO, It will enable American merchants and manu.ac
Jurors to compete with their European rivals upon
equal Terms than they have yet enjoyed. There
is also another good reason why tho road will DO
valuable 10
AMERICAN COMMERCE.
II Is that Guatemala, boing by far tho largest pro-
duccr OF coffee in Central Will there in
future even larger quantities or American articles
than IN the past, so that they may be advanagcousy
exchanged tor the aromatic bean, which bring
from the moro distant markets OF Costa Rica and
Brazil, and thus both that Republic and the United
States must reap unq ucstoned advantages from this
mutual interchange oil commodities.
Touching railroad enterprise, Genorai Uraga says
that when ne left Guatemala committee OF engineers
and others interested In Session at the capital.
considering variety OF plans which had been pro-
posed TO the govern ment for The purpose OF
ing railroad from the port OF san Jose the
OF Esqninta, aud thence to the capitol Of tho Re-
public. this undertaking has been inr time
contemplation but It, and also the great northern
wagon road had been for time paraIyzcd account
OF the recent war with san Salvador Now, however,
both projects Will bc encrsetcalIy prosecuted TO
pleion.
The Bank OF Guatemala which, during the late ab.
scnce OF President Barrios campaign, had been al
lowed To fall into confusion has received full share
OF his attention. The President ordered complete
revision Of ,is affairs, anu, BY his unremting atten
ton 10 this affair OF national Importance, speedily
ceedcd in arranging It's business satisfactorily to the
merchants and others hoidng its notes and bonds
There Is now a discount OF but two per cent the
Guatemala Bank notes. "a compared with silver.
"A very satisfactory condition. indecd" remarked
General Uraga, ''when We consider that the currency
Of thus great American Republic is about ten per cent
below par. /"
the question which was lately pending between
Guatemala ana Nicaragua. growing OF the strife
between the former power and San Salvador has been
amcaby settled and 10 the entire satisfaction oil both
States
Don Marcus Aureo Soto. formerly Secretary OF
State for Guatemala, having been proclaimed and In
stalled President OF tho Republic OF Honduras. has
cecdcd In extinguishing nrcs civil war which
for so long period ragged In that republic and.is busy
engaged IN organizing the different branches OF the
pubic service. President Soto's first care viii be TO
place the national credit on good footing In the COM
mercal world and 10 provide for the payment OF bonds
issued Ia favor OF tho Honduras Railroad Company.
Finally, General rraea states that the five republics
OF Central America arc at last in the enjoyment OF
peace and prosperity and before have they been
In better condition TO consolidate their strength By
again forming Central American Confederation.