The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-03-13
A DESTRUCTIVE WAR.
Barrios an Unfit Man for Bringing Abou
the Proposed Union.

Barrios an Unfit Man for Bringing About
44 the Proposed Union. "a (
New YORK tribune.
A reporter yesterday called upon Colonel Jose
NJ. Aguierre, of Honduras, who is in the city on
a mission connected with the interests of his
country, and sought his views. Colonel Aguirre,
who was formerly Governor of the department
Of Colon and the territory on the Mosquito
Coast and is man of influence in Honduras
said:
II hope this movement will be stopped before
blood is shed. General Barros is not the proper
man to understake the work of uniting the Cen
trail American States. He has thought of max
ing the attempt several times, and 1attered him
self that he would be the first President of the
United Republics and call forth the devotion of
the best classes of the people to this idea. He
has been constantly preparing for this. In 1876
public opinion was SO strongly in favor of the
project that he only needed to say the word and
exercise strong will, and it would have been
accomplished. The principal people of Central
America did not love him, and they
know him too well to have confidence in him.
But for the project they are willing to
make great sacrifices Men pass away but
institutions remain, and the fruits of this
present movement will come hereafter. In 1876
he had General Maxine Jerez near him, who
induced him to accept the idea of union and to
take measures boxing to confederation. Gen.
JereZ was man of high intelligence and pro-
found attsiinments, anu was courageous, honest
and lover of his country. He cQnsecrated his
the welfare of Italy. The five republics of Cen
trail America were one nation until 1899 Gen.
MoraZan, the second and last President of the
federation, was Its greatest supporter. The fed
Grafton stood for religious freedom, and on this
account the priests opposed it and broke it up.
With the arlstocratlc classes they made
upon it. because they felt that they could more
surely rule if the state was divided.
All the unhappiness and wars af Central
America have had their origin in the
dissolution of that union. The patriotic and
prudent people have desired to reconstruct the
federation. Several times agreement has been
made between the governments of the several
States, especially Honduras, Nicaragua and Sal
vador, for taking the initiative in the movement
for union Honduras has been the leader in it.
But the influence of the friends of separate gov
ernments has hitherto thwarted the efforts of the
patriots.
not persevering He has feared that the union,
after it was made would remove him from office
and he has hitherto preferred to keep in power
as President of Guatemala to being ruler of the
united republics for short time only Nearly
all the people of influence who have been willing
to help him in efecting the union are anxious to
remove him from Office after it is effected He
has suspected this, and that has several times
prevented him from taking action Now the
principal opposition to the movement for the
union is in Nicaragua and Costa RIGA. In Mica
ragua the idea of union is popular with the lead
ers. but they have no confidence in General
Barrioss ability to effect it, and fear that after
many sacrifices their efforts would come to
naue:.e. Nicaragua is not the richest or most
populous State in Central America, but her
government is more enlightened, and there is
more feedom of speech, freedom in elections
and freedom of the press there than in other
States Life and property are safer there The
people fear that this freedom and security would
be lost if they entered into the union under
General Barrios. Costa RIGA will resist the
movement more than any other Central Ameri-
can State because the people do not believe that
they would be happy under the federation, es-
| pecially with Barrios at its head Nicaragua
and Costa Rica together are able to make
strong resistance il Barrios insists upon making
union by force. They have enough resources
to enable them to resist the invader successfully.
| am afraid that if there is war it will be use
less in the end, and no union will be accomplished
| But if the union can come really and per-
| manently, we will not regret the sacrifices by
| which it is obtained think, as many of my
countrymen do, that such sacrifices viii not be
| too dear. for the incumbency of Barros will pass
| away; but the institution will remain after him.
| / am sure that if the union is effected Barrios
win not long remain at the head Of the govern