The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-03-15

dent of Honduras had broken off relations with
Barrios, as he had more than ever become con-
WINGED that il was out Of the question to con-
slider the tyrant of Guatemala as a possible
President of Central America Notwithstand-
ing his outfalt with Soto, among other
advised by those around him. called
another international convention in 1884,
to treat of the revival of Central American
unity, and which was to have assembled either
at the city of San Salvador or that of Santa
Tecla, il the same state. AS the other republics
were more than ever convinced of the utter in
capacity of Barrios and his inadmissibilitY as a
ruler for the whole, the proposed international
congress never assembled, and thus ended the
last pacific effort of the too-well-known master
of Guatemala TO create field of action for his
industrious ambition five times the size of the
one that has been so successfully worked by him
for the past thirteen years.
General Bogran, who succeeded DR.. Soto in
the government of Honduras, is rather I'M
sophisticated young man. of good intentions, but
not without ambition. Barrios soon became
aware OF this, and it now seems that he has got
Bogran under control by virtue OF some
magnificent promises which he made TO hmm last
year, when the two held a conference On the
borders of their respective STATES On the
other hand Barrios having taken ofenso at the
handsome way in which Zaldivar. the President
of Salvador, received by certain European
courts last year, during a. tour which he made
has become estranged from his ancient friend
and debtor, and is now ready to fight him or any
one else for sake of the long hoped for union
which at one time he might have accomplished
peaceably, but which how he cannot obtain by
fraud cruelty or force of arms
The quarrel of Barrios with Nicaragua is really
one against American influence and the canal
project there. When Barrios had trouble with
Mexico, some four years ago, on the boundary
question, he was willing to go so far as to accept
an American protectorate conditioned upon the
defence of Guatemala against the encroaGhment
of Mexico; but now, as he has himself on hand a
scheme of inter0ceanic transit, and having
shanefullY sacrificed lis countrys undoubted
rights to SocoEusco and Chiapas, he Is willing,
in the sacred name of patriotic sentiment, to
sacrifice ketacombs of lives to be able to
prevent Nicaragua from reaping the undoubted
benefit that would accrue to her by the
cutting of canal under the auspices OF
these United States. His cause of dispute with
Nicaragua is of the most frivolous sort, and
CHARACTERISTIC of the man who takes it up. 1t
originated in an abusive article which was some
time ago published in Nicaragua paper. Barrios
demanded the suppression OF the aggressive
Journal but as in Nicaragua the liberty of the
press is decreed by law, this modest request Of
the Dictator could not be complied WITH and
therefore he made the refusal a preteXt TO de-
clare war against his neighbour with the object,
forSooth, of establishing the Central American
UNION, but in truth to interfere with the pro-
jeetcd American canal enterprise
When the states get into arms, which they
ire now doing, the line of battle will be, to
airty, Guatemala and Honduras against Mica
aqua and Costa liica This latter State has not
vetdeclared her policy but she must inevitably
20 with Nicaragua The fate of the campaign
lies with Salvador; but, DR.. Zaldivar has no
guiding principles to steerby, outside Of his own
interests, and as he has the resources of the re-
public under his immediate control, it is hard to
pgedict what he will do. If Barrins shows a
strong front and is likely to win, Zaldivar will
declare for him; but if his prospects turn out to
he somewhat dubious, then the Salvadorean will
throw up his cap in favor of Nicaragua. and
shout, death to the tyrant or Guatemala" AS
the quarrel now stands it is complicated, and the
time to be occupied in its solution will be Ill pro-
portion to its involved features.