The herald., 1895-09-03
Opinion of One Who Has Been
There Many Years
IMPORTANCE OF THE CANAL
Hope T5at the Monroe Doctrine Will Be
Maintained
Prosperous Condition Of the Capital cltv-New
Banks-0overnmen BuiIdings-Raii-
road Extension
Associated Press Special Wire.


CHICAGO, Sept. 2.--John Rice Chand-
Ter. the correspondent of the Associated
Press in Guatemala, arrived direct fro m
tnat country today and ne was asked TO
make full and frank statement of the
situation in Central America now that he
is on sAmerican soil. Mr.. Chandler has
been In the service Of the United States
government in Central and South Ameri-
ca for several years and is fully acquaint-
cd with the situation and can speak in
telligently. He says:
'.There is a general belief that Central
Americans are at war, or on the eve of
revolution. Recently this belief has ap-
pArently been backed up by the tele-
graphic reports of several journals IN the
United States. In truth four out of five
republics are today apparently quiet.
The fifth, Salvador, has had some riots
recently. due to the connivances OF the
Ezetas, headed by General Antonio Ezeta
who Is now in San Francisco. trying to
organize iibustering party with
American capital IN the California city.
Nevertheless the party IN power, with
General Gutierrez at its head. has the
good will of the majority of the people
and it may be difficult to oust him. The
other republics are doing their best to
bnild up their national credit and keep
all turbulent elements in their piaces.
But Guatemala has been without a revo-
luton for some twenty years and there
has been absolute peace during this
period with the exception of a war in
1890 with Salvador which lasted two
months.
The great staple of this country is
coffee. Crops are very large, and prices
In the last few years have been very high.
Exports this wear will probablv reach
some 20. 600. QUO pounds. Tbs government f.
under General Barrios. ably seconued by
his minister OF war. General Morales, is
all for peace. Government buildings are
being Ell eiected all over the capital. Some.
like the national palace or government
house, will cost UPWARDS of $1,000.000
Furthermore. the city is being beautified
Three new banks lave been started
within the last three months, with an
aggregate acapital of $4,000, 900. Business
generally Is very promising, and in gen
eral, life and property are safe. The
country has one railroad finished AMI two
IN course of construction. The Atlantic
line will finally Join the capital at Port
Barrios, and then the country will be but
four days from The United States. where
as it now takes fifteen days to reach San
Francisco by the Pacific Mail line. Most
of the trade of Central America goes to
San Francisco and New York, but there
is no reason2why st. Louis, New Orleans
and other cities on the Mississippi, also
Chicago, Cincinnati and other western
cities that are practically tributaries to
the Mississippi river, could not get very
large share. The country is very rich in
minerals as well as all tropical products.
and only needs the energy and capital of
Americans to build up new Ell Dorado.
''Onc OF the vital questions in Central
America today is naturally the Monroe
doctrine, and the course the American
government may pursue in sustaining il.
The Central Americans thoroughly be-
lieve that no other nation but the United
States can and should builo the Nicara-
guam canal, and that the $100. 900, 600
which it may cost would be amply paid
for by the obtaining of a majority of
South Americas commerce, especially
that on the Pacific side. imports and ex-
ports having been calculated to be worth
over $500, 000 600 per annum.'