Los Angeles herald., 1891-09-01
Why EZETA IS MAD.
History of the La Libertad
Incident.
1t Might Have Been a Second
Barrundia Affair.
Captain Whites Nerve Prevented
Tragedy.
He Allows No Passengers to Be Taken
from Bis Ship = An Ameri-
can Citizen Among the
Men Wanted.
Associated Press Dispatches.

San JOSE DE GUATEMALA, August 49,
The incident which occurred at port La
Libertad in the republic of Salvador,
some days ago, bore some resemblance
to the Barrundia affair which happened
ON the steamer Acapulo in San Jose de
Guatemala during the late war between
Salvador and Guatemala. One of the
parties concerned in this case, however,
was an American citizen. The result
might have been the same as in the
Barrundia case, had it not been for the
prompt and decisive action of the cap
tain of the American steamer.
The Pacific Mail Steamship companys
steamer City of Panama, which runs be-
tween Panama and Acapulco, Mexico,
stopped at Corinto, Nicaragua, August
5th, on her regular north-bound trip.
Among the passengers she took on there
were Patrick Brennan, an American cit
izen, residing ir Salvador, and four ma
tive Salvadorians, all former officers of
that government. These men had in
CURED the displeasure of President
Ezeta, and were regarded by him as
revolutionists.
The steamer stopped at La Libertad
August 9th, and was boarded by the au-
thorities who demanded of Captain
White the surrender of Brennan and his
four companions. The refusal of the
captain to comply was reported to the
eommandante, who Immediately went to
the steamer with a boat load OF armed
men and informed Captain White that
the latter could consider himself under
his orders. as he had come to take pos
session of the steamer and arrest the
men. Captain Whites indignation was
aroused, and he told the commandante
that if he did not leave the steamer at
once, he would throw him overheard.
The commaDdante evidently believed
the threat would be carried out, for he
left the steamer without further discus
sion.
Learning that President Ezeta had
been notified, and that he had gone to
Acajutla with large armed force, Cap
tain White avoided that port, and the
vessel proceeded direct to San Jose de
Guatemala. Captain White and Mr..
Brennan laid the facts before United
States Minister Pacheco, at the City of
Guatemala. Ezeta has requested the
authorities of Guatemala to surrender
the men. E
Brennan is railroad contractor, and
resided in Salvador for some time. Dur
ing the late war with Guatemala, at
Ezeta's request, he accepted commits
sion Id the Salvadorian army, and en-
listing his railroad employees, was instru-
mental in winning one or more battles.
When a revolution was threatened in
Salvador, some time later, it is said
Ezets again desired his services, Bren-
nan declined to enlist, and it is supposed
thus incurred Ezeta's displeasure.
The four Salvadorians whom Ezeta
wished to seize, were Don Ayala, claiming
to be the legally elected president of
Salvador, but who has been deprived of
the Office; General Letona, commander
in-chief of the Salvadorian army in 1885,
but who has been in exile for the past
five years; General L. Hernandez, a
wealthy exile, and Colonel M. Rivas, of
the Salvadorian army, nephew of Gen
eral Rivas who was executed by Ezeta's
orders for the part which he took in the
late civil insurrection.