Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-01-07
ABOUT GUATEMALA.
The Plans and Projects of Barrios-
Military Discipline-Growtha and Pro.
gress of the Republic.


gress of the Republic.
Chicago Zri6uae.
Gen. L. b. Bunting was caught on the
ny lew days since, and, speaking of the
/ recent resolutions in the House looking
forward to a reciprocal treaty arrange
ment between this country, Mexico, Cen
| tral and South American States. express
ed himself very strongly in favor OF such
action on the part of our government as
would lead to more extended traffic be-
tween the countries in question. The re-
porter having been for many years resi-
! dent In the countries spoken of was anN
/ iOus to clear up several points. chiefly in
! relation to President Barrios. of Guate-
! mala' the leading man OF Central Amer
/ lea.
General, you have been for some time
In the army OF rGuatemala 2,
es, about seven years."
I'm what capacity?"
lery." ' -''O' y - W.
I'm this position you have been more or
less Intimate with Gen. BarriOsg"
~ es, rather more than less-as init
mate as an officer could be with his su-
perior."
what about the newspaper stories that
we see so often regarding him?'
i call them lies Lies with just enough
.
evidence TO base lies upOn.''
They say he rules with rod of iron ~
''Gen. Barrlos knows his people. In that
| country man must either ride or be rid
den upon. He uas done more for Guatema-
Ia In the last eight wears than all his pre-
decessors have done before him. When
first went there there were no schools to
speak of; now there are more than 1000
Indlan chldren being educated at govern
ment expense. There are also higher
schools and colleges in the cities of Qua
temala and QuezaltenangO.'
'What about flOgging?"
Il nave never seen any or known of any
outside of the army. l entered the service
on the opening of the war with Salvador.
My men were transferred from infantry
regiments, selected by their Colonels.
turned over to me one dav. and we
marched for the front the next day. The
men were hard lot to control at first.
vi course, the officers gave me the worst
they had, so l got the scum of the entire
army on my hands. MY intention was to
get along without flOgging. Our march
began the afternoon of the Sd of March.
1876. The first night we had
three pTivates. They were all caught
within three days, and the Corporal was
punished. During the whole war never
mad another desertiOn. The 9th of March
l found 1t necessary to fog some men,
From the 9th to the 10th of March l did
more flOgging in the artillery than was
done in the balance of the army-from %
to 400 lashes, according TO the offense.
president Barrios sometimes looked on
when the men were being punished. He
never said one word to me on the subject,
but one day he issued a general order to
the effect that not more than % lashes
should be given at one time; this was un-
doubtedly for my benefit, and the result was
when a man deserved a 100 lashes he re-
ceiyed them, but III four doses of % EACH
After the 10th Of March never had occa-
sion to punish man or to find fault with
one. There are no better soldiers in the
world than these men make when they are
treated with justice, and when they have
confidence in their officers. As q rule,
soldiers IN Central America are caught
when-they are wanted. In Guatemala to
this day it is only necessary to have it
known that volunteers are wanted for the
artillery and old soldiers flock in, enough
i'll one day to fill the ranks"
"What about the officers of the army of
Guatemala, General?'
81 have no remarks to make on that
subject"
''Of course Gen. Barrios and You are on
good terms?"
'There is no '0f course about it. DO
dent Barrios wants anything he is will
ing to pay well for it, and thinks, ahere-
fore, that he ought to have it. He al
sderation. but he feels eeissd9eSs g8p AID I'D con,
me for resigning from the service.
l am his friend, and there is every
reason why / should be, for he has always
treated me with the utmost kindness, JUS
tice and respect, and l have never seen or
known of any act of his which should
lessen my respect for and liking for him.
In country where people read but little
they talk much, and you know the SEEM
ing impossbility Of two persons telling
the same thing alike.'
''Why did yOu resign, General?'
''FOr the simple reason that | do not
like army life in time of peace.'
''What about the shooting Of seven
teen men for an attempted reYolution?''
alt was done. The only mistake made
was in not shooting more, for more were
guilty, and if the revolution had been a
success every foreigner in Guatemala
would have been in danger"
"WhO was at the head of this attempt?"
"NOminallY Polish Jew named Kopel-
sky, whose life 1 was unfortunate enough
to save at one time, but really the Jesuit
party
'Did Barrios or his government ever
contiscate churches as allegedY'
"1es, and turned them into colleges,
schools, telegraph offices, a custom house,
post office, public market, ETC., etc,
but there are more than enough churches
left to accommodate a population twice
as large as that of Guatemala and ten
times as religious"
elbow is the population Oe Guatemala
divided?"
There are s44,774 Indians to 3sI, ,s2s
whites
"Is the government at any trouble to
keep the Indians dOwnTr
''The governments aim is to raise the
Indian up. This is evidenced by the fact
that they are spending large sums to edu-
cate them. An Indians rights are re-
spected and guarded as carefully, if not
more so, than a white mans. There is
rarely any trouble between the govern
ment and the Indians. What there
has been was brought about by the
intr CUES of the church party. The
government always keeps faith with
the Indian. All, or practically
all, the manual labor Of Guatemala is
performed by the Indians. An Indian
will not work for pay except on an order
from the government. Persons wishing
wOrkmen request the same from the gov
ernment. The proper officer makes a de-
mand on the various Alcaldes for such
numbers as are wanted. The men are
sent, and work from twenty TO thirty days,
and then are replaced by others. or
course they are paid for their labor"
''WhO is likely to succeed BarriOs!"
''BarriOs will succeed himself if he can
be prevailed upon to do so. He loves his
country, and naturally is pleased to be
connected with its prosperity and ad-
Vancement. The country is making rapid
strides, and this will influence him to re-
main at the head of the government. ]
think. | am also sure every intelligent
foreigner in Guatemala hopes sO.''
Who's Dat KnOckin'?
Washington Republican.