Wichita eagle., 1890-02-25
SURE LANDING FgoM THE SLIP.

SURF LANDING FROM THE SHIP.
For the ofTense OF rebellion against the
state the penalty is death, bat Rivas is
not likely to be shot. Had he ,ccrnnitted the
political crime in Honduras or Guatemala he
would before this.have paid tlss penalty. No
president sits 50 securely in ms palace in
these countries that he can afford to be
ienient with the leaders of revolutionary
schemes. Not many weeks ago some restless
spirits aross against Barrilos in province
of Guatemala. They were caught. and IN the
bright light of the following morning were
executed. A little later revolt in embryo
manifested itself in Honduras. E0gran nipped
it in the bud by taking-the half dozen leaders
and shooting them like dogs. Nothing is 50
serious in the eyes Of the despotic powers OF
Central America as political offenses. RivaS
then, by all the laws of precedent. must die.
But doubt his being executed, and so do the
majority Of men in this pretty cepital of the
smallest and most densely populated Of the
five republics.
The why and the wherefore Of the revou-
ton can be briefly told. Its history dates
back from the days of the licentious Zaldi-
yer, the former president OF Salvador, now a
luxurious exile in glittering Paris. Zaldiver
was TO this country what Louis XIV was to
Franco ibertine, a spendthrift, profit
gate. No more lecherous man lived than
Rafael Ealdiver, and the story of his social
encrmities would fill many pages. Fathers
with growing families, husbands with pretty
wives, felt their household gods were not safe
while Zaldlver ruled, and he grew to be
feared and detested. In 1885, when the great
Barrios threatened Salvador, Zaldiver went
TO the front, and in the first battle on the
frontier Barrios was slain. Satisfied with
that unexpected result, the young president
returned TO his capital instead of following
up his advantage by invading Guatemala,
which still menaced the smaller republic
This action, or rather lack of action, added
to the growing feeling against him, and his
path became a thorny one. At this time in
Salvador were two prominent and ambitious
men, Gen Menandez and Gen Rivas. The
latter was the bolder and best beloved. Had
he aspired to the presidency he would have
captured it easily, but he waved it aside and
urged his friend Menandez TO the fore II
wall make you president" he said, and he
kept his word. While Guatemala was ha-
raising Zaldlyer in the north, Gen. Rivas
started an internal strife which demanded
government attention. Zaidiver, not a strong
character viewed In any aspect, beSet on all
SIDES, gave UP the struggle, filled his money
bags TO repletion and fled the country. He
Is said to have taken with him from the cof-
fers Of the state SS, 100000 in gold Then
Eivas pushed Menaudez forward and he be-
came president.
All this is a matter of very recent history
Barrios was killed in 1885, and the next year
Zadlver ran away As matter of course
under the new regime Rivas was very close
to the throne, and took as his reward the gov
ernership OF the province OF Guscaltan, the
capital OF which is Cojutepeoue 1t is but
twelve leagues from San Salvador ami less
Ehan days ride from the presidents palace
1t is a rich province, populated principally
by Indians difficult To manage and fighters
OF tremendous dash. Here Gen Rivas held
IA court of his own. He became a sort of
kindly deSpot, and seemed to forget there
was republican form of government sur
rounding him of which he was merely part
lie appeared 10 neither care for nor acknowl-
edge power greater than his own.
Menandez, aware Of the fact that he owed
hls present election 10 RivaS, tolerated this
sort OF thing for some time, but finally pa
tlence ceased to be a virtue. and he mildly
informed Rivas that he must not do as he
wished, but as the government wished. Me-
nandez is a wealthy man, although he is not
forgetful of friends, being unlike the nanv
who interpret gratitude as "a lively sense of
:avors TO come" Had he been stronger he
would not have permitted matters to con-
tinue for 50 long time in Guscaltan as they
had- In fact his power and influence in the
republic Is already practically gone, owing
20 his amiability. But he is IN honest man.
as President Menandez faithful anu true to
his people These are strange characteristics
Tor a president in these republics, and Me-
nandez will have posthumous, if not pres
ent. glory for possessing them.
hlVas continued his arrogance. He whis-
led the commands of government down the
wind AMI seemed to place his superiors al de-
hance. Then NenanGez Rsore IN sorrow than
IN anger, appointed new governor of Gus
raitan for ''rhe better welfare Of the repub-
Sc. Full Of choSTin and wrath, Gen. Rivas
sent his would be successor flying back 70 the
city or San salvador, with AZ insulting reply,
rallied his Indians about him, raised the fag
sf revolution, and in day or two had 5000
followers ready TO do yalIant battle for him
jhe government at once marsha led its forces,
ano gEeat row seemed imminent President
bogra2 showed the seriousness Of the move
nent and paid tribute to the power and
prowess of Ri7as by telegrarsing that Hon.
al-'as had 10000 men ready to march to Sal
FOror and assist the government in putting
aown the rebellion, while Barrillos stood |
ready TO SIS with forces from Guatemala.
The coEsssact between the presidents is uerfe,-
N this one point Self interest and self pres |