Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1882-02-21
NetO Orleans Times Democrat.

Ne1o Orleans Times Democrat
A Times Democrat reporter has had the
pleasure of meeting Gen. A. MexIa, 8 promi-
nent officer In the Mexican army, who is en-
route to Washington on official business.
Knowing that General Mexia had many in
teresting facts in his possession, the re-
porter requested an interview, which was
kindly granted.
General" inquired the reporter, "can
you furnish the Times Democrat with some
information concerning the present condi-
ton of Mexico?"
'Yes, sir. The country is now quiet, and
the prosperous cond ton of the crops, to-
gether with the active mining operations
now going on, has given a new impetus to
the business, aud property In the City of
Mexico has increased 10 value two-fold.
Throughout the country the condition of
the lower classes Is considerably improved,
and they are much better (, and clothed
than heretofore"
What progress are the railway lines
making ?'
''WeD, SIR, the Mexican Central has been
completed, and Is open for business tn
Q1eretaro, 100 miles north of the CITY OF
Mexico. The Mexican Oriental Road, of
which G neral Grant is President, has COM
pleted its survey from Vera Cruz to the City
OF Mexico and Ojaca, and the construction
of the line will be pushed with all possible
speed. When this line is completed. It will
compete with the present English line from
Vera Cruz to the capital of the republic.
The road from Tuxpan to the City OF Mexi-
co, which is one of the most important in
the country, is being rapidly built, and
thirty miles OF the road is now being ope-
rated"
"Is there any truth in the report that the
Palmer Sullivan combination has abandoned
the construction of its lines ?"
''In reply to your question l cannot make
positive statement. All that | know is,
very grave rumors have been circulated TO
the effect that the combination has failed.
A short time ago the company had a large
force Of men at work, but had not opened
their line for traffic, except short branch
road which runs parallel with the Mexican
Central"
"What is the state of the controversy be-
tween Mexico and Guatemala ?"
Every critical, indeed. The President
has called an extra session of Congress in
order to decide what course to pursue"
" How did the trouble arise ?''
" From the fact that Guatemala demands
two States OF the Mexican republic as
having been part Of the Spanish intendency.
The troops of Guatemala have crossed the
frontier and occupied one Of the border
States, in which they destroyed 8 large
amount of valuable property belonging to
SenCr Matias Romero, formerly: Minister to
the United States, and who is now on a
special mission to Washington concerning
the trouble"
"DO you think the trouble will result in a
war between the two governments ?"
81 cannot see how such an issue can be
avoided. The Mexican Government has
already sent division OF troops to watch
the frontier ard to prevent an invasion.
My impression is that hostil!ties will COM
mence in short time, and although we do
not propose to be the sggressors, we feel
that 1t is our duty to protct our territory"
''How many troops can Guatamala put in
the field, and how are they differed and
armed ?"
1.-The standing army of Guatemala
amounts to 600 men, but suppose in case
of war they can put 10000 men in the
field. The army is provided with Whitney
rifles and two batteries of Krupp guns
There are two or three American officers in
the army who are very good, but the rest of
them DO not amount to much"
"Will not all the Central American States
ally themselves with Guatemala II a war
ensues with Mexico?'
eyes, such is the prevailing impression.
But 1t Is safe to say that the allied armies
will not amount to more than % 900 men,"
"How many men car, the Mexican Cav
eminent pu Ia the field ~
"Ine standing army Of Mexico at present
consists of 10000 men, but 1t can be in
creased to 100 900, If It becomes necessary
to send large force to the front. The
Mexican army is well differed, and is
armed with the Remington rife"
"What is the character Of President Bar
rios, of Guatemala ~
HE is man of great ability, but very
tyrannical. There is no congress, nor is
there anv law in Guatemala hence the will
of the President is absolute, and by his tv-
rannical bearing he has caused himself to
become very unpopular with the paople.
1t is generally believed that the principal
object President Barrios has in bringing on
a war with Mexico is to make himself popu-
lar. Concerning his tyraunical disposition,
1t is related that he canes the officers of his
army publicly when they do ANYTHING to dis
please him. There is also story to the effect
that on one occasion . number Of promi-
nent ladies failed to be present at supper
to which he bad invited them, and becoming
angry at their action, he caused a eouad
of soldiers to bring them to his house
and tie them to the manger Of his stable
with bay around their heads, upon which
the horses and mules fed. The ladies were
kept la the stable all night, and next morn
ing were almost dead with fright. It is also
related that number of young men passed
him by on the street one day without taking
off their hats and saluting him. He had
them brought before him, and inquired of
them the meaning of their action. The
young men, considerably frightened, apollo
giEed very humblY for not bowing to him
and promised not to be guilty Of like &C
tion again. Barrios then ordered them to
stand for an hour at a certain place on the
street each day and TO bow to him when he
passed, and to stand there whether he passed
or not"
10 further conversation concerning the
personnel of the army of Guatemala, Gen.
MeEia stated that the paw of a Msjor Gen
ersl amounted to only $120 per month, and
that all the officers of less rankIwere without
shoes, and when not barefooted, wore san
dals. Aside from this, the army changes
its enlisted men every SIX months.
Gen. Mexia will remain in the city until
the Carnival festivities are over and will
then go North.