The morning call., 1892-09-25
RELIGIOUS WAR IN COSTA RIGA.

In yesterdays CALL reference was made
TO the prospect of trouble in Canada arising
out Of the probable accession OF Catholic,
Sir John Thompson, to the premiership.
1t is curious that, simultaneously with this
revival of religious contentious. people
should be threatening to draw the sword
for opinions sake in another neighborlng
State-C0Sta Rica.
Two years ago, when the Presidential
term of Fernando Soto was drawing to a
close, two candidates presented themselves
for the succession. One was Ascension
Esquvel, who headed the Liberal party;
the other was Joaquin Roderiguez, who led
the Conservatives. The contest was ex-
tremely bitter, and in some places scenes of
violence occurred. Rodriguez won, and it
is said that his victory was achieved through
an understanding between him and the
Bishop of Costa Rica that in the event Of
his success the schools. which, by virtue of
the constitution OF 1880. are under secular
control, should be restored to the control Of
the church. 1t is certain that the vote of
the people OF the rural districts, which is
largely Catholic, was cast for Rodriguez.
When the latter was comfortably seated
in office, lie proposed to Congress to restore
religious education in the schools. The
people of Costa Rica refused to adopt
the Presidents suggestion. When it met
again a few weeks ago Rodriguez renewed
his suggestion, and Congress persevered in
its refusal TO adopt it, whereupon the Presi-
dent, following the example of Balmaceda
in Chile, reSorted TO a coup d etat, dissolved
Congress, suspended the constitution and
notified the constituencies TO hold new cleo
tiOns.
Ii is possible that the struggle may result
in civil war. as the controversy did IN Chile.
The Costa Ricans are spirited people, i'm
patient of Legitimate control. Their coffee
crop is reliable, and has made most OF the
people easy in their circumstances. They
are GevoUt Catholics, but they are very
proud of their school system, which is based
on that of this country, is perfectly or
ganized, and has been wisely administered
by one of the ablest men in the republic
Don Mauro Fernandez. Curious to state,
Bishop Thiel. who is leading the Presi-
dental movement against Congress, is also
a man Of marked ability, liberal opinions
and much learning Though Costa Rica is
a small state, not as large as San Bernar-
dino County, and only contains a pOpula-
ton OF 100000, the people have shown on
previous occasions that they are not slow to
draw the sword in defense OF their views.
They have peculiar ideas Of their own.
We have all heard of property qualifica-
tons and educational qualifications and
manhood qualifications for voters. Costa
Rica is the only state in the world whose
constitution prescribes ''respeeGabiity" as
the condition of exercising the suffrage.
There are reasons why we should take an
interest in Costa Rican affairs. 1t seems 10
have brighter future than any other Cen
trail American State 1t possesses sn adj
mirable soil; its population is less diluted
with Indian blood than that Of Guatemala;
it Is not the home of heterogeneous gath
| eriug of nondescripts like the province OF
Panama, or q volcanic center like Mica
ragua. One-half the territory is upland
and grows coffee which resembles the
! famous coffee of Mocha, and is often sold
under that name. Its credit is good, apd it
| has been enabled to carry out many internal
! improvements. There is railroad from
| the Atlantic port Of LimOn TO San Jose. and
| another from San Jose to Carriage; some
| grading has been done on a line from the
capital to Punta Arenas on the Pacific.
! When it is completed Costa Rica will be-
| come an auxiliary to San Francisco for its
| importations, and its coffee will come here,
! as most of it does now.