New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1885-04-04
AMBITIOUS BARRIOS.
HIS ATTEMPT TO RESTORE THE CENTRAL
AMERICAN CONFEDERATION.

Rica Nicaragua and Salvador became independent re-
pubes He has taught the doctrine OF reunion at every
opportunity has discussed its benefits In speeches ana
state papers, advocated II in the official Daios OF
organs of the Government and has sent missionaries into
the other States TO spread the idea among the people and
create public sentiment in favor 1t has been the
one idea of his busy life well as the subject OF his
dreams There Is no doubt strong feeling prevalc
among the thinking men Of Central America in favor OF
restoration of the Confederacy but they all want 10 DO
Cesars The reunion could have been accomplished long
MO but for the ambition Of various men In each STATE
who would have consented to 1t had they been assured
that rulership would fall their hands; and result
prevented by Ss very a9a who desired IL because
Of their jealousy Of each other. While they were us
cusng the possibilities Runno Barros was preparing TO
act. For tho last three or four years nc mas peeh
forging a thunderbot With great secrecy he has ace-
INFLATED money and military stores he has organ
lied great army of 10000 men. and educated them IN
the art of war tho German plan OF requiring eaeh
citizen between the ages Of eighteen and hfty to do so
much military service every year. lie has sent men 10
Germany and France to be educated In military SCIENCE
and his own son Is now a cadet Mt West Point lie has
imported French, Spanish, German and American OF
fcers and given them good rank and pay In the army OF
Guatemala and all this with one idea in his mind.
On the osth OF February the thunderbolt fell Tho
aitocacy gathered at the theatre Witnessing an
opera -houfe performance, when wellsnown citizen
stepped upon the stage and read proclamation sgued
by President Barios declaring himself dictator and SUI
preme military chieftan OF all Central America The
surprise was complete. There never was such sensa
ton and the city went wild with enthusiasm The next
morning troops began to march into the city, the store
rooms OF the military barracks were opened and as
closed enormous accumulations OF arms, ammunition
and other supplies. Thousands Of mules were driven
into the CITY, and IL seemed II n great army fuy
equipped had suddenly dropped ont OF the sky Inc
people were amazed and bewildered. They couid
| not realize how all these preparations
| could have been made without their knowledge
and began TO superstitously about miraculous power
Comics OF the proclamation sent by telegraph TO tho
other four republics ana Barrios asked an Immediate
answer whether they with or against HIN TX
pectIng resistance from Nicaragua he dispatched 9ooo
roops nj once in that direction Nicaragua has iuihle"
the expectations OF Baros and has not only refused 10
acknowledge his authority but promises to defend her
udependence with her last drop OF blood Costa Eca
does the same and like Nicaragua calls the civil
lied nations Of the world to Interfere and protect her
against the invader
The elegrnphIc correspondence between the new Die
tator and DR. Zadvar the President OF Salvador is both
amusing and and remarkable In 1876 there was war
between Guatemala and Salvador The former country
conquered and Barros placed Zaldyar in the Office OF
President which he has managed to hold by the use OF
the political methods common IN this country. For this
reason Barros expected not only submission but assist
ance from the neighboring republic and when the tee-
gram Dr. Zalliyar In which the latter begged
for time to reflect and confer with the Congress- Baros
was very angry lie answered that he did not propose
TO humbugged by any such nonsense. that Zadlyar
was well prepared 20 give his allegiance now as he
would be a month hence. and no time would be allowed
him. An answer required Immediately and 1t must
be yes or mo" Fit was "yes" he expected Zaldi-
var 10 assist him with and supplies II 1t mo"
tho army OF Guatemala would reach Salvador In
few days and a Military Governor would relieve the
President from the responsibility OF conciaung the
people.
The Spanish Minister happened 10 be In Salvador at
the time and he appealed to Bnros TO grant zaidvar an
opportunitY TO call hts Congress together and consider
the great internatiOnai ques tion " wiz us-ss--
much consequence TO be decided in n moment. and the
will OF the people .honld bc consulted To him Barrios
replied with very curt thanking him for the
interest be displayed IN the question at ISSUE but sug
costing that 10 would be much better for him 10 mind
his own business and wait until his advice was called
for The Dictator asked 20 consult the VIII Of the
| people: all he wanted Official recognition
| oflis authority from tho President OF Salvador and
| his soldiers would SEQ that the people ooncurred.
| But the spanish Minister has pluck aud an animated
correspondence going over the telegraph wire
between him and Barrios, copies Of which arc published
in each OF the daily paper which tho latter las
| tabshcd here as means ~ communicating with the
peope Both have 80 far controlled their tempef- but
The Spanish Envoy has got very much the worst OF Il
and has dropped the roe ui mutual lhu u" appear IN
! the character OF a diplomatic ambassador whose
duty IS interfere TO prevent boodshcd between two
As now stands Barros has consented to receive two
friends OF Iadiyar VINO are On 'ner M' ns.e, ana h
troops which the number Of four OF hNe thousand are
meantime troops being sent daily by lane and sea TO
Nicaragua. the plan OF tho President evidently being 10
ubdue that country before he strikes Costa kica II VIII
be almost mpossibes It would be useless forNearagua
and Costa llc 10 nnite ihey nav cp, h , sus1 70
and the action Of Nicaragua In ignoring all the rights OF
Costa ca no the canal treaty in the uited States has
made the nation very bitter toward the other and
she would rather ENJOY seeing Nicaragua Inundated
she did not know dose OF the same medicine was wait
ing for her. -,.,.-, -. .......,.. .,,...,
served their political and material condition can see at
once the force OF BlrriOrs ogc and when comparing
the progress the en hened condition and the pros
per1y Of Guatemala all or nearly an OF whcn Is owing
energy and advanced vewsot her President there
Is great temptation to hope that .is man may be able
TO communicate some OF MS enterprise ana broad views
the people OF the other republics During tho last
twelve years Bdrrios has been President OF Guatemala
and In that time the state mas maze greater progress
than during tie two centuries previous He has been
tyrant. cruel auOcra merciless prosecutor OF men
Who have opposed him, but he has had the key which
has unlocked the Of the republic aud tgyen
prosperity 10 the people In his procamation he an
nounccs under circumstances will he accept the
Presidency OF the United Republic. All he wants is to
that OF the Grand Republic" the United
alwsys called when he viii retire In favor OF amy one
the people may choose Tor their ruler and spend
The rens9dsT i m non
his cOuntrymen. The public pronounce this all bun
coinbe and peIhaps Il Is Barnos loves power and will
10th surrender It, but believe he has nobler
bitiOn than common rumor gives him credit FOR He
CARDS the United states the greatest nation the world
ever saw; and remarked me other DAY that ne would go
to NewYork 10 live when the union OF Central America
accomplished. lie owns u hOlho on FlIth-hNc OPP
positc Central Park, just around the corner from where
General Grant lives and has sent his children there
be educated
So far no decided action has been taken by the Dipo-
matte Corps here upon the Dictatorship Tho German
Minister in acknowledging the receipt OF copy OF te
proclamation congratulated BlrriOs upon his idea and
expressed n hope OF its success. The other Ministers
con formed themselves 10 plain letter OF ceremony
Minister Hail. OF the United States Is understood 10 have
called upon the President that the United States
Government has objection to union Of the Central
American States but protests against the Of force
Z acco mplish It.
A PICTURE OF BARRIOS'S CHARACTER.
General Thomas b. Bunting, of this city, who
some years ago held prominent position in the Army