Connecticut western news., 1885-04-08
A MAN OF DESTINY.
CAREER OF THE GUA-
 TEMALAN DICTATOR, BARRIOs.
From Day LnbOrer to President-An In-
 trepId FIEhter-HOw He Won Ills Whe
 His Scheme to Unify Central Amertcn.

at the Southern boundary or meAAcN' from which line down to the Isthmus o' Panama the conformation of the land bears a rude resemblance to a child's sock, with very short leg and very long foot. Guatemala is the leg, Hon. duras the heel, little Salvador nestles in the instep, Nicaragua extends out to the ball of the foot, and Costa Rica repre- sents the big toe. Panama, further south, is politically affiliated with New Gran ada, the northermost State, ot South America. The total area of the five Re publics is 175, 900 square miles, and the population, which is mainly Indian or Spanish-1ndian, aggregates about three million.
 The five Republics were subject to Spain until about sixty years ago, when they established an independent con- federacy, which was dissolved in 1889. Other unions, more or less intimate, were afterward formed, only to be broken in turn, and no further back ttANn 1875 negotiations were fruitlessly con- ducted to accomplish what Barrios is now attempting by force of arms.
 A most interesting and romantic career is that of Barrios, who from being an ordinary farm-laborer has risen to oc- cupy the Executive chair of Guatemala. He was born July 19, 1885, in little village called San Lorenzo in Guatemala. His parents were lAborers on the planta- ton of one of the wealthy and aristo- cratic landowners of the country. There was weak strain of Spanish blood in his father and mother, the Indian ele- ment largely predominating in their characters. It was the custom then as now for the Indians of the country to be employed on the estates of the aris- tocratic landowners. The Barrios family labored like all other poor Indian families in the fields, and lived in the village made up of the huts occupied by the laborers on the estate. There was little chance for boy born in such con- ditions to become anything better than toiler in the fields or a herder of cattle. But Serapio Cruz, who became a great General, was once pig-driver near the home of Barrios, and his success no doubt kindled the ambition of the h. dian.
 Barrios determined to pick up an edu- cation, and on account of his quick in- telIigence and ambition he was assisted to enter the University of San Carlos whence he graduated as lawyer. He naturally drifted into the political con- tentions which marked the stormy re- gime of Carrera, and in 1867 with band of followers he organized revolt The Government. of Guatemala at the time was plutocracy in substance, and the tax-burdened rural population rapidly rallied around the Indian leader. In a few months he was at the head of an army. flushed with success and ready to follow wherever he led. The Govern ment seized his father and bother, and held them as hostages; but Barrios con- tinued his advance. His career was brought to a sudden stop by danger ous wound that he received at this time. He was taken to the mountains, and cared for by an Indian named Nicolos, whom Barrios has since rewarded nu- nifcently for the attention he gave him while a wounded soldier. After recover ing, he again began his insurrection, which spread SO fast and at every point was so successful, that upon June l, 1871, he entered the Capitol at Guate- mala without resistance. His General, Granados, WAS declared President, although Barrios was the real power and directed the Government. In the fol- lowing year he was elected President, and he has retained that office ever since.
 The wife of Barrios is said to be the handsomest woman in Central America He won her as he won the Presidency, by storm and siege. She was only seventeen years of age and closely i'm mured in convent when he resolved that the time WAS ripe for their wedding. When the convent authorities refused to surrender her, the ardent swain promptly threatened to batter down the walls with his field-guns; so, the lady being nothing 10th to join her fortunes with the handsome, swarthy chieftain, the nuptials took place. Barrios is man of middle height, with broad shoulders and deep chest. His features are strongly marked with Indian character istics. His cheek bones are high, his complexion swarthy and his hair straight and black He has finely moulded head and flashing eye.
 The oldest son of Barrios is being educated at West Point, his father evil dently preparing him to take the gov ernment when he lays down the reins of power.
 In Guatemala, Barrios has been an autocrat He has quarreled with the Church authorities, but has done much ! to promote free common schools and the extension of railroads and telegraph lines. President Bogran, of Honduras, is the only sympathizer he has in the unihcation scheme.
 Guatemala is the wealthiest and most populous of all the Central American States. It had population of 1,252,- 497 in 1883, and standing army of about 10000 men. It is well equipped with munitions of war.
 Honduras is rough mountainous land, with scattered population, num- bering not more than 35O,OOO. It has little force, as a military power, the peo- pie being chiefly Indians and not living together in towns and cities, but scat tered over the mountains tending herds of cattle. Barrios must draw his entire strength from these two countries. Op- posed to him are Salvador, Nicaragua | and Costa Rica. or these Salvador ia