The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1893-07-10
Constitutional President
of Nicaragua.
THERE WAS NO REVOLUTION.
The General Explains His Own Con-
duct and Talks About Rivalry Be-
tween Leon and Granada.
Special to The MORNING CALL

DAN DIEGO, July 9-G60eral ROBERTO
Sacasa. late President of Nicaragua, is a
passenger on the Pacific Mail steamer
Colon, en- route to San Francisco and
Eastern cites. He was seen by CALL
correspondent at this port
General Sacasa is about IS, and of per-
feet manners. He is doctor by profess
sion and was educated in Paris. He is
accompanied by his wife and two sons
They embarked at Corinto. and are travel
ing companions of Romualdo PachecO,
who is on his way home from Guatemala.
II am on visit of recreation and in
struction only" said Gene,nl Sacasa. ct
will consume four or five months. and in
the meantime / left the Presidential
power in the hands OF my good friend.
Senator Ma hedo. All is tranquil in
Nicaragua and on the road to progress"
"What Is the story of the revolution ?"
First" said General Sacasa, 'let me
tell you there was no revolution worthy
the name. There were movements, yes.
wild and separated uprsings, but no con-
certed revolution. The first trouble arose
from the strong jealousy between Leon
and Granada. Leon was formerly the
metropolis. and is still the equal of Gran
ada, but the inhabitants of Granada do
not think so. Granada is modern, grow
ing city. and the whole trouble may be
traced to the struggle between the two
cities for supremacy.
"Other factors. of course. entered into the
trouble as it grew in Importance, but l
deny that there was a deliberate revolu-
ton, based upon usurpation of power, on
my part or upon dissatisfaction with my
policy. You will understand this state
ment better when tell you that the prime
movers in the recent roubles-revolution
lists, II you like--are my own personal
friends. They announced at the begin.
ming OF the movements. and continually
reiterated it. that the work was not d.
rected against their good friend, DR..
Roberto Sacasa. nor against his general
policy, nor to overthrow the Constitution.
II repeat that the troubles were petty
broils and jealousies and not directed
against me. For this reason l suffered
movements to continue when, perhaps,
they should have been more sternly sup
pressed. | had power to crush so-called
revolution at single blow-that was.in its
incipiency. when the most important fac
tors Of discord were jealousies between the
two cities.
II would not turn the power of the
Government against its own children. l
would not turn fire and sword loose on
natives of Nicaragua. Every drop of
Nicaraguan blood regarded sacred and do
still. There was Dot life lost In the recent
trouble which can be LAID at my door
my wilful act. When the trouble assumed
larger proportions and the Government
was forced into harsh measures for its own
preservation, even then l received assur-
ances from many prominent men opposing
me that theysdid not hold me responsible
for the turn of affairs.
1T is needless now to enter into an ac-
count of the multifarous complications
that ensued when the troubles had grown
beyond the petty jealousy of Leon and
Granada. You would not understand the
reasons that prompted many seemingly
con ntradictory moves. and the public of the
United States. l fear, has been badly mis-
led as to the cause of the trouble, its ex-
tent and final settlement.
''One of the questions finally involved
was demand for a change in the consti-
tuition. l did not oppose the change, in fact
l was a strong advocate. Upon that point
was finally brought about cessation of
the troubles, through kindly efforts of Mr..
Baker, American Minister. BE offered
his services as mediator, which we're ac-
ceptad, and meeting took place outside
the city of Granada, not in the city as re-
ported. There it was decided to hold
constitutional convention within four
months"
"Was it demanded as part of the treaty
that you resign the presidency"
"Emphatically not. am still Constitu-
tional President of the Republic Of Nicar-
aqua, and Senator Machado is in power
with my consent while am absent"
''Is it not possible that action will be
taken regarding the Presidential Office re-
sulting in your withdrawal"
THAT cannot be foretold. If the con sti-
tuition is changed in that respect so that
another man is chosen President l shall
certainly abide by the decision. as should
expect ell loyal citizens to do. If my
friend Machado is retained shall rejoice
for my country"