The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1890-07-23


NEw YonK. July a.
The New York HeTaEsTs Washington
correspondent says; The inteliigenc that
battle has taken place between the forces
of Guatemala and those Of San Salvador
will create no surprise here, where the news
Of the outbreak Of hostilities has been daily
expected for some time past. IL has been
known that a large military force has been
mobilized at Gautemala along the frontier
Of San Salvador ready to strike d blow ID
tho proper moment. AT the same thine
aGsa. Esis~s tie provisional president of
San Salvador, knowing that Guatemala
would be sure 10 interfere III politics in
San Salvador. as has been her won't for
many years, has been making his prepare
tions to meet force with force, and has
been distributing arms among his people
to enable them TO meet the anticipated
attack.
Shortly before his death President Mem
endez laid In quite asupply Of rifles which
he imported from England. Large orders
have since been placed by Gen. Exita in
San Francisco and elsewhere for ammuni-
tion. While Guatemala has never at
tempted TO subjugate or annex San SALIVA
dor, she has generally conErivsd to control
the politics Of her neighbor by having one
OF her tools nj the head OF affairs in that
country.
Such was Gen. Menendex, and now II is
. conceded fact that Gen. Alvarez Is the
man that Guatemala wants to see president
Of the Sandwich islands, because with him
at the helm Guatemala would be able to
carry ont har chosen plan OF uniting the
five Central American republics into one
federal union.
To accomplish this has been the aim of
Guatemala rulers for years, and II was In
execution ok this scheme thai Gen. BarFi-
tas lost his life. There IL great opposi-
ton among the people OF Salvador 10 the
scheme of federal union, beoauss they fear
the overwhelming influence that Guate-
mala would have in the council Of such a
union, owing 10 her greater population
and wealth. Guatemala, however, In as
determined as ever TO push through tha
federation scheme, and she has an active
ally In Gen. Bogram, president of Hon
duras, who II ready and willing to abet. the
aims of Guatemala. Together they would
prove too strong for San Salvador we're II
not that Nicarauga and Costa Rica must
be taken into consideration. These two
states are also averse TO federal union,
aud while they tacitly agree 10 give the
proposed union favorable consideration,
they are only too glad Of an excuse 10
break with Guatemala on this question.
This excuse the present crisis affords
them, and II may besafely predicted thai
should San Salvador reach point where
she needs their assistance thor viii
promptly come 10 her relief. This would
mako the contest about equal, aud in thal
contingency q desperate conflict may b
anticipated.
Perhaps early hostllitiss may result a
they have Oh several prior oucagiOns In dis.
eomgortura OF Guatemala, and under sncl
circumstanceH that government may con.
elude 10 play waiting game and let mat.
ters rest for the present. Besides, prisat.
adyices from the City OF Mexico, both b,
wire and letter, intimate concentrations o
Mexican troops in the state Of Chiapas
bordering on the front Of GuatemMla, wleT,
from 0,Uo0 20 1900 men are sAid to be dts
tributed among the principal towns alonI
on near the frontier.
IA Mexico should see nc 10 warn Guate
mala 40 dssist from her hostile intenfion
regarding San Salvador, Guatemala woull
be compelled to listen 10 her northern
neighbor's advice for the odds would b
too great for her TO dare 10 fare them.
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