The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-03-14
BARIIOs AND HIS WIFE.
The Man Who Is Most Prominent In
Gustemalan Politics.

1
| San Francisco Chronicle.
Many people in San Francisco no doubt
will remember a dark-featured gentleman
| Of small stature, but of military bearing,
whose Spanish origin was apparent at the
| first glance, and who attracted general at
tention by his distinguished exterior and
| his elegant manners whenever he showed
| himself IN the park, either alone or ac-
| companied by decided blonde of very
| attractive appearance, and usually
| dressed very elegantly. but at
| the same time simply and modestly. The
| gentleman was General Reina' Barrios
| and the lady his wife, who in her whole
| bearing and manners was easily recognized
| as thorough American of Anglo-Saxon
| type. General Reina Barrios returned to
| Guatemala last December in order to be-
| come a candidate at the election for presi-
| dent, since the term of President Bar
illas has expired and he cannot retain
| his power except by means of a coup
d'etat. 1t almost looks as if something
of the kind were being contemplated at
this moment for the telegram from San
Salvador, as published in yesterdays
Chronicle, states that General Barrios and
his beautiful wife had been kept practi-
cally prisoners in their hotel since their
return, and that President Barillas tries
to excuse this step by spreading the rumor
that Barrios has Joined party that con-
templates his assassination.
The statement that Barrios would use
foul means to attain power is generally
bisbelleved by the Guatemalans in this
city, and the news that the wife of the
general is half-craZed through fear for the
life of her husband has produced general
regret not only among her own country
men, but also among those OF her
husband who live in San Francisco.
General Barrios and his wife, who re-
sided for many months at a Montgomery
street hotel, which they left only on De-
cember r. were generally popular here.
Relna Barrois was very reticent when the
politics of Central America were discussed.
His favorite amusement was to ride or
drive, and he kept selection of very valu-
able horses, which were pronounced of ex-
cellent race by all connoisseurs.
Mrs. Barrios, though she moved but lit
tie in society, was a charming hostess, her
frank character making her many friends.
She is native of Alabema and was edu-
Gated in a convent in New Orleans. A
| good part of her life has been spent in Eu-
rope.
There is pretty, romantic story told of
herself and her future husbands falling in
love with each other at first sight and be-
coming engaged when the general couldn't
speak o word OF English nor she a word Of
Spanish. Mrs. Barrios is woman of sad
vanced ideas" She believes in universal
education as the chief remedy for earthly
Ills. When in San Francisco last year she
EXPRESSED herself freely to a reporter of the
Chronicle concerning her hopes and plans
for the elevation of the people of Guate-
mala should her husband be elected presi-
dent.
1.-The wife of the president" said Mrs
Barrios, would have wonderful oppor-
tunity for doing good. 1 am trying to
prepare myself for the emergency, and
hope to be able to accomplish something
Guatemala is a beautiful country. All It
wants is American ideas.
The position of General and Mrs. Bar
rios is considered by well-informed people
here very dangerous one.