, 1890-07-31
DEATH or MENENDEZ.
The Revolution Begun ut Baii-in-
gratitude OF E1eta.

SAN SALVADOR, july 2i-The death OF
President Menendez took place in the
city of San Salvador on the night OF
June -, the fifth anniversary OF the tr'-
umphai entry OF the president into the
capital OF the republic at the head Oi the
revolutionary urmy which overthrew
the tyrannical rule of DIR. Rafael Zaldi-
var. General Francisco Menendez was
we'll known as an honest and upright
man. His bitterest enemies had not
been able to charge him with single
act OF impurity in the management oi
public affairs nor with having shed a
drop OF blood ON account of political
differences. lie was a liberal at heart
and u gentleman. lie granted the
liberty of the press and suffered the
bluntest and most unjust attacks of his
enemies without complaining. lie re-
organized the financial affairs OF the
republic, which he found bankrupt and
engulfed in a debt OF over So,OOo,OVO. lie
re-estab.ished the national credit broad (;
opened new roads and kept in good ser
vice those existing in the country, and
was carrying on the construction OF the
Sansonate railroad. He promoted puo-
lie instructions and founded schools
even i'm the smallest towns and hamlels,
and organized the military forces of the
country, placing the army on a footing
of strength which it had never before OBJ
tanned. His term OF office was to end in
March, 1891.
CALM BEFoRR THE STORM.
Preparations for the next electoral
campaign were freely being made on all
sides, and every body was expecting to
witness for the first time in the country
peaceful struggle in the field of cleo
tions. But the blackest treason fed by
the most cynical ingratitude, was slowly
making its way among tine most con
spicuous military chiefs of the republic.
accustomed to the lazy and useless life
of the garrison, where they vegeta to like
the Pretorians did in Rome. The leader
OF the military REDO lion was General
Carlos Ezeta, a young and amb tious
man whom Monendez liked as his own
son, and whom he would have never
believed capable of committing treason.
Everything seems TO have been prepared
for the movement in the military
quarters OF the city. All the command
ing officers were ready for 1t except
Colonel Martinez, commander of the
presidents guard of honor, and ne knew
nothing oft.
On June 10, in order to weaken the
garrison. General Menendez was made
to believe that the department OF CusCa-
tian wns about TO rise In arms again,
and go men were sent TO Coiutepequc, q
town thirty miles distant from the capi-
t,l No,
from Santa Ana, where he had been for
over three years as commander general
and governor of the department. bring
ing with him small force of 400 men
under the pretext of making them par
ticipate in the annual parade held ON
the anniversary of the revolution of
May His troops were lodged at the
barracks of the artillery in the place Of
those sent away. These barracks serve
as a general deposit OF all the artillery Of
the republic, as well as all the 9th or ma.
tional arms and ammunition of the
army. No one suspected anything of
what was going to happen. The Sc.
crecy OF the conspirators was perfect It
is said, indeed, that General Menendez
had been told of plot, but had refused
TO believe it possible. Everything was
as usual.
THE BALL BEFORE THE TRAGEDY.
On the night of June 81 all the public
buildings were illuminated, the parks
were brilliantly lighted and promenad-
e's thronged the streets. The bands
played, the bells of the churches were
ringing and artificial fireworks made the
city merry. June 90 came. The whole
town was covered with flags. Cannon
shots were fired every ten minutes. A
grand military parade took place in the
morning, in which President Menendez
assisted, accompanied by Generals Car
los Ezeta, Melesio Marcial, c. Am bropi
J. NJ. Rosello and others. After the re-
view they all went to the
White house, aud the troops were
sent to their barracks. In the
evening ball WAS to take place at the
presidents and invitations had been
sent out with proiusion. The night
came. All continued quiet The ball
began ut o o'clock. The halls OF the
White house were crowded. Content
and satisfaction were seen in the faces of
all the guests, among whom were Min
isters Delgado. Mendez, Larreyeaga and
lnteriano, several magistrates of The su.
preme court, foreigners of distinction.
consular agents, generals and other high
government officials, ard many ladies of
the best social circles of the city.
At 80 o'clock, when the BANQUET
was about to begin, the military band
was heard playing in the street. Then
followed loud words at the doors of the
palace. blows, noise of arms, sharp COM
mands u few rihe and pistol shots, and
lastly the mad rush of soldiers into ,he
bathrooms. where tho greatest panie
reigned. No one knew what was hap.
pening. The struggle continued In the
street between the soldiers and the
guard ana those newly arrived, who had
come seventy-fve in number and had