Birmingham age-herald., 1895-08-05
BARRIOS' PLANS.
The Formation of Union of All the Central American States, With Guatemala
 at the Head.

Washington, Aug. 4.-Private advices received from Guatemala this afternoon indicate that sensational developments, affecting possibly the future of Central America, may be expected within the next thirty days. These advices state that President Barrios of Guatemala has found a secret alliance with Costa Rica looking to the formation of a,union of all the Central American states, with Guate- mala exercising the dominant influence in the new federation. The first step in this programme will be the downfall of the present Bonilla administration in Honduras and the appointment of his successor in the person of Marco Soto. This last named gentleman is favorable to the proposition and if the plans are perfected so that he may by a coup d'etat assume the presidents office the assist ance of Honduras can be obtained in the plan for a federation of the five states, and Nicaragua and Salvador will thus it is claimed be compelled to join with the other republics as a matter of self in- terest
 Marco Soto filled for number of years the office of president of Honduras He owed his elevation to the chief magis- tracy to the powerful aid of Gen. Rufino Barrios, who was then the dictator of Guatemala and head of the political and military force in Central America. When BdfllOS DldQe war on SalNduOr oOlO Ie- fused to cooperate with him. BarrioS at once melted a revolution in Hon. duras. Through his aid the revolution ists were successful, and Soto was over thrown. Subsequently Barros was killed, and his ambitious scheme of a Central American union, with himself as the central figure, came to naught.
 The presidency of Guatemala is now filled by another member of the Barrios family, a nephew of the distinguished dictator It is claimed that without any qualification, that following the example of his uncle he will again use his in- fiuence to place Soto in the presidency of Honduras. Those who are familiar With the political condition in the little Latin American republics say that a new revo- lution can be easily started in Honduras composed of the dissatisfied elements now out of power, with Soto at their head and these, with such assistance as Guatemala can give them, can speed fly overthrow the Bonilla administration The three republics of Guatemala, Hon duras and Costa Rica therefore would practically dominate the situation.
 President Barrios of Guatemala, 1t IS said is the more desirous of this new al- liance, inasmuch as al present Honduras, Nicaragua and Salvador are now close ly allied. This trio of republics, Whlch are contiguous to each other, form a geographical wedge, so to speak, having Guatemala on the north and Costa Rlca on the south. Without the active coop eration of one of them 1t would be diffi- cult for Guatemala and Costa Rica to assume an offensive attitude toward the remainder. The withdrawal of Hondu- ras from the triple alliance and her CO., operation with the other republics would give to the latter a preponderance of power,the value of which it can be readily appreciated. To what extent President Barrios can carry this programme can only be conjectured, but it is believed in Guatemala that he will succeed.
 What renders his plan the more feasi- ble is the hereditary enmity or lack of comity at least, which exists between Costa Rica and Nicaragua. Costa Rica, it is said delights to see her ancient en- emy Nicaragua, humbled, as she would necessarily be if compelled, perforce, to join Central American federation. The influence of which would be friendly to Costa Rica should Nicaragua on the oth- CT hand decline to join the union, she would still be at disadvantage in that she would enjoy none of the benefits which would result from it. The situa- ton, therefore, is profuse with sgnif- canoe and future developments are awaited with interest by the political traders in all of the Central American states by whom the facts seem to be we'll understood.