The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1891-10-01
BARILLAS WOULD BE BALMACEDA
How He Came to Succeed Barrias-Barrundia
Was Once Trusted Lieutenant of the
Dictator-Prepared to Flee.


were hissed by the opposition and strug-
gle commenced for the possession of the
platform, 1t was finally held by the rioters
and the mob was augmented in numbers
and threatened the palace. Artillery was
brought into play and soon cleared the main
plaza. The main streets were cleared by
the Infantry, but the rioters held many
alleys and buildings. Throughout the
night and the following two days there
were small mobs in various parts of the
city which were promptly dispersed by
the military and numerous arrests were
made. Several persons were killed, but
the number is not given. 1t seems numer-
Gus arrests were made and several persons
Killed, but the number is not given. The
loss of life seems to have been almost en-
tirely on the part of the mob.
Many rumors of the riot are flying about
here but all of them are much exaggerated.
mere are likewise rumorS of an uprising
ID other parts of Guatemala, but they
seem absolutely without foundation. 1t is
believed here that if the malcontepts can
be induced TO rise against the government
and hold out for few days they will be
recognized as belligerents and aided by
Salvador. A well informed Central Amer
lean said day that Barillas has enemies,
both domestic and foreign, and between
them general Central American war will
soon be precipitated.
10 those who have kept conversant with
the movement of events In Guatemala. the
news of an emeute of some sort is not at all
surprising, and it will be more of surprise
II the dictator, Bsrillas, is permitted to
occupy his present position without the
oltterest OF opposii ion. For twenty years
or SO General Rufus Barrios had been
absolute as ruler of Guatemala. He was in
favor OF union of the five Central Ameri
can states and it was declared. Honduras
agreed, but Salvador, Nicaragua and Costa
Rica opposed it, War broke out aud Bar
rios, at the head of 80, 600 men started to
compel the adoption Of his republican idea
In the hottest o. the battle of Chulchuaga
ne fell with bullet through his heart
Slnl6aldi was the first vice-president, and
should have taken the dead mans place
but Barillas fastened to the capital from
Qnezaltenango, and was received wits ac-
clamatlon. Barrundia was secretary of
war, and had intended to declare for him
self over the vacillating Sinibaldi, but the
appearance OF Barillas at the funeral of the
dead dictator upset the plan, and
Barrundia became one of the most
active ieutenants of the popular
Barlllas. But this was in 1885 and for
six years the ruler, Barlllas, has become
more and more overbearing in his manner.
Barrundla was his ready tool, but it was
known he was working for master who
would brook no tempering his plans Where
Barrllas is credited with having sent $50.
COO, 600 out of the country as his own, Bar
illas is not as yet thought to nave larger
nestegg than IS, 600, 900 in foreign bankers
hands ready for his use when he shall free
the country.
The Salvadorians had not forgotten
the attempt of Barrillas to force them into
a union where the Gautemalas would do
all. The ruling president, Menendez, of
Salvador, refused point blank to paw
further the annual levy Of 100000, which
Barrios had imposed. Barillas could do
no less than fight it, and he did so. The
treaty OF peace was signed July %, 1890,
and two days later came the murder of
Barrundia on the Pacific Mali steamship
Acapulco In the harbor of San USE de
Guatemala. His murder and it's legal
aspects created tremendous amount of
talk. Since the Barrundia's taking, Bar
lllas has been more than ever dictator
Ia. He has placated possible enemy
with fat places and has banished others
The army does not respect him and peo-
pie hate him for the onerous taxation he
imposes and devours. The Barrundia fol-
towers have formed coalition with those
who wish to see Jose Reina Barrios
nephew of the dead dictator, in control,
The Barrios old followers and personal
+ lends of the ambitious young Prince Bar
rios, they are all bent on placing Prince
Barrios in the presidents chair, and to do
SO they will stop at nothing. The Barrun-
dla faction is composed of BariiIas' most
bitter enemies, both personal and political.
Young Barrios has inherited all the cum
ming and political foresight of his dead
uncle, which Is quite large. To get rid of
no,
San Francisco on q special mission.
The war with Salvador had at that time
ended and Barillas, fearing Salvador might
again take up arms, or perhaps that a rev.
olutlon should break out against himself
endeavored to purchase arms. ammunition
and horses in New York, as was published
at the time in the Examiner on January *
Reina Barrios and Colonel Aguilar. q
member OF the regular army of Guatemala
arrived In New York and took up apart
lnents at the Victoria hotel. At the Hotel F,s-
pamela, second class Spanish hotel. Apan
registered as A. Melgarego. Colonel
Aguilar and Reina Barrios soon mr.
chased arms and other implements of war
fare, while Mr.. Melgarejo began to worl,
at horses. He desired horses suitable for
drawing heavy loads. He also took par
ticular interest in harness and equipments
OF an artillery company. After the most
minute details OF their trip were published
they left the city for Europe where thew
finished their purchases. The guns thew
purchased here were shipped to Panama
and from there to the west coast to Guate-
mala.
Ofeaer Barillas has had the palace of the
President surrounded by soldiers the in
fantry being now supplemented by artiI-
lery. He breads breakout at the capital
being evidently prepared to flee the coun,
try as soon as he is convinced that he can
no longer rule at will. He is the Balmaceda
of this republic, and once fight was mao
IN opposition to him he would be hunted
down even with shorter shrift than was
the Gillian dictator.
A copy OF Mexican Liberal paper, Ell
UniUersdl, which has recently arrived here
contains some interesting facts on Gnate'
mala. The Mexican editor declares plainly
that every statement that affairs in Guate.
mala are quiet is lie.
Inquiry among the merchants In this
city who have business with Guatemala
revealed queer state of affairs. One Of
them said: eff we were to speak hadlv
about that country, we would have to close
up shop. We would ruin our business
completely. AS soon as our goods woufd
get there, a thousand opportunities would
be offered the Guatemalan authorities 10
cause US both trouble and pecunjarv loss
Fines could be imposed and our goods
detained in such manner as to cause our
customers to leave US. Besides this the
firms there who deal with us would be
quietly informed that II they knew what