The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1890-07-23

publics, OF these splendid and rich republics,
which are row devastated by cruel and use
less war.
Let Us see now what Is the reason Of this war:
The reader viii probably know that after the
war of Independence Central America formed
confederation, which, however. dissolved in
ls5s and the country was divided into FIVE re-
publics, as II is low Guatemala was always
the leading republic. being sometimes Sparta.
ard sometimes hens. OF Central America
Rafael Csrrera-by his admirers called Washing
ton OF Central America, tnouzh not AZ all equal
TO this great An rican, ed the country with an
iron hand. He Was an Indian and cowboy with
out any education. but was a man of yigor and
resources He was succeeded by tyrant Csrna,
under Whose rule the revolution broke out and
the insurgents. led by the brothers Menei deg
and ty tue Afterwards celebrated Justo Refino
Barfios-soon forced cerna TO abandon the
country. In 1872 Barrios became an absolute
ruler OF Gu, tensala and that remarkable man
cuncei,e ed Ia idea TO UNITE the five republics in
one strong country, and his idea is really the
cause why the country is now devastated by a
cruel war.
Salvador, though the smallest Is the most en-
iightened country in Central America and has
warlike, high-sIirited population In the time
OF Barrios. Rafael Zadivar b came the president
OF the republic That unscrupuious man was
originally physician in San Jose de Costa Rics,
bit through influence of the Guaternalan gov
eminent became the ruler of Salvation. In
short space OF tire ne amassed immense wealth,
and now resides In Paris though his intention
is to return to Salvador soon as pos IDLE.
Nicaragua Is the nes governed country in
Central Americs. the presidents being elected
for four years, and must be rich, independent,
married aud patriotic men. Though the coun-
try has net PRODUCED any great men, 1t has had,
however, abel, simple and conscientious admin
istrators, as, fer instance, Cardenas and others.
Costa Rica had an able PRESIDENT Guardia.
who, similar to Carrera In Guatemala, could
neither read nor write. bnt who, throu n Unborn
capacities, raised Costa R.ea TO a high degree.
Piospero Fernandez, another pres dent, died
suddenly In 1855, and tie new president, Ber-
nardo Soto. 10 young man of more than aver
age abilities, aud OF high moral stendard-the
thing not seldom 10 be met with in Central
America
Hon uras is in an unfortunate position. Be-
ing In the middle - central Am, Tica. it is an
abode for all the r, 10 uiionists of other repuo-
lies There are more gen rails aud colo
than there ere soldiers, aud the presidents are
but tools in the bands OF The dictatoEs OF Glate-
mala. Louis Bogrsn, though perh 4ps more able
than the average If the chief magistrates Of The
country, wss in reality nothing else but a sery-
ant OF Barros
Now let Us turn to the point AS mentioned
already, the idea OF BarroS, of Guatemala, was
10 consolidate the five republics in one strong
confederation. That remarkable man was well
adapted to accomplish that grand project.
Brave like Bsyard, administrator ike King
Arthur, he had the tenacity OF GA mt and the
far-seeiDg look of Richelieu. He tried TO ac-
complish what no other man ia Central Amer
lea would have dared to attempt and ht failed
through treachefy OF his friend and ally,
Rafael Zsldiysr. Of Sa vador.
The president OF the smallest-though the
second in regard to populaton-repubiic OF
Central America promised faithfully to aid
Barrios In his scheme With the help of Hon.
duras, which, to tell the truth, faithfully adj
hered to the alliance with Guatemala, the three
northern republics would have been able TO
subdue he two others-that is, Nicaragua and
Costa Rha-aDd the consolidation of Central
America would have been today fat accompli.
Zaldivar. however, instead of joining his army
10 that of Barrios, made secret treaties with
the southern republics and turned his front
against Guatemala.
The rage of Barrios is easier to be imagined
than described. The baffled dictator inv ded
Salvador, aud near Chalchu pa, early in IS 5,
attacked the Salvadorians. Don yensncio Bar
rios, natural son OF the president at the head of
the cavalry. attacked the enfrenched SALVADOR
ans, and fell Barrios himself then led his leg
ions, aud he also fell Over his bDdy then ragged
for hours gigantic combat which can only be
compared to the battle OF Greeks and Trejans
over the body of Pstrocus. The Guatemalans fin-
ally carried off the body OF their beloved leader
but leaving at that unhsppy spot alone So of
their best soldiery. Two thousand Guatema-
lans lost their life in that battle, no pardon be-
Ing asked and no pardon given.
Salvador came out victorious in the struggle
and though the treacheruus Zaldivar was soon
forced To leave the country, the new D. es dent
Menendez, thought himself to be the firsi man
OF Central America, and ne ruled the country
as he saw fit.
lslz
the defeat, and the pride OF Its people as hum
bled. Since then salvador held the first place
in Central America.
Barrilas, the successor OF Barrios has how
ever, not forgotten the defeat OF his people and
was looking toward the opportune MON ut
to raise the question of the unifcation of Gen.
trial America. he had many sdherents in other
republics and especially in Salvador. and with
help OF the National party he intended TO &C.
comphsh the projects of Barrios. The death, or
rather murder of MeneDdez, president OF Saliva
DOR gave him an opportunity TO raise the au-
thority of Guatemala once more. He, together
with the president of Honduras, the faithful
ally of Guatemala, declared their disapproyal of
the murder of the late president Menendez, and
stated their trust that Ezeta, the new president
of Salvador, would help them to establish the
Central American union. They intimatcd also
that II this cannot be done by pea eful means
il viii toe done by force of arms. And 10 make
these ''pesc 'ful" arguments more forcible, Bar
rillas sent 10000 armed troops towards the Sal
vsdorian frontier, and $4,000 more will be put In
the field by Guatemala as soon as possible.
1t is fact that many people of salvador
are In favor OF unitcation. but the sol disdat
governor, General Ezeta, prefers to be the first
man in his republic 10 being the second one in
the confederation. The army-aad Salvador has
avery good army-is in his hands, and he has
large force massed on the border of Guatemala
and viz no ~ L iuiy Inv
country and humble Guatemala According to
the latest dispatches caragua and Costa Rica
are helping Salvador, aud while one sends SOL
diers the other sends money to combat Guate-
msa Thus, as in 1885, we have three repub-
lics--that is, Salvador, Nicaragua and Costa
Rica-uniied sgainst two-that is, Guatemala
and Honduras. General EEeta is, however, no,
very popular among the masses of people in
Salvador. He has, within the last few DAYS
raised forced loan among the people, creating
thus great discomfort. The army follows him.
however. and as he Is a good general. he may. il
firmly established, become a strong ruler.
According 10 the latest dispatches a battle was
fought on the 18th between Guatemalians and
Salvadorlsns on the frontier, in VIII ch the
former have been defeated with heavy loss A
Guatcmslian corps numbering 1000. was routed
and ali the artillery captured. II the news is
true then the unification of Central America
will be postponed agein.
The reader viii probably ask. why does. for
instance, salvador or Nicaragua object 10 the
unide alton? Tne answer is easy. Some OF the
republics have no debts 10 speak OIL while the
other owe immense sums. Nicaragua has no
foreign debts, while Honduras does not nav
even interest on its enor nous debt Salvador
owes very little, but osta Rica owes great
deal. Resides tue influential politicians ia the
Ave republics weud prefer TO see tae country
divided IL is more profit for them. as If the