The Forrest City times., 1897-01-29
GUATEMALA
Central American Correspondent
 of the Times.

republics Of Central America.
 The population of the five republics is about S.Co0Q0g. That of uuatamala is l,5oO OO0, and it's area, 50,OoO square niicS the inhabitants per square mile being sT6I, copsistihg principally of whites, mixed with f-w negroes and | Indians. There are still q number of un- civilized tribes of Indians in the republic. each tribe having a language of it's own, although Spanish is the natural language and is generally spoken.
 Central America was invaded by the Spanish under Pedro De Alverado and was Spanish colony with the same laws as the motlicr country until they obtained their independence, September Is, lSo 1, They gained their independence without oioodshed., Spain at that time being at war with Mexico. The republics took ad- vantage of the situation and SD gained 1 their freedom.
 Gautema'a is bounded on the north by Mexico and British Honduras. on The east by British Honduras and Honduras 1 lSpani.h) Gulf and San Salvador on the south by the Pacific Ocean and on the west by Mexico. The climate is very changeablc. 0u the coast on both sides, 1t is very warm and unhealthy, while in the elevated portions it is quite healthy aud the climate is simply delightful. Tin. seasons are divided ini9 two-the wet and the dry.
 There was but little if any development or improvement in Gautemala until 1871. under President J. Rufeiyo Barrios. who was man exceptional ability. He fuv. ored and inaugursted all public reforms abolished all monarchical institutions, built public roads, railfo9Is, telegraph lines, etc.
 The present pres dent, J. A Reiva Barros has followed the same policy a. his uncle
 Guatemala is constitutional republic. The cabinet is composed of six members, viz: Minister of War. Minister of Foreign 1 Affair, Minister ot Public Works, Minis. ter of Public Institutions, Minister of Public Justice and Minister of Finance. Congress has one member for each twen. ty thousand inhabitants. They serve for four years. The term of the president IS si:; years. There are six Supreme Court Judges. The policy Of the govtrinent is | liberal. Free speech and free press permitted Foreign imm grafton is c, {. siied and encouraged.
 Religious freedom is tolerated. but tLAt of the Catholic church generally preyail,,
 In tinie ot peace the standing army numbers about three or four thousand men but in case of war, ninety thousand would br mustered.
 The republic is in comnunic stion with the world by both cable and telegraph, the cable station being San dose on the Paciiic coast. The Southeru railroad runs from San Jose 10 Gautenala City, a dis :. tance of seventy four miles, and has brcp in operation since 1884. The Great Sarth-rn Road is in process of construction from Puerto Barrios to Gautelpala City. aud IS finished as far as Zacapa a distance of one hundred and one mites From Zsca- pa to Gautema.a City ihe distance Is ninety miles, and the road vii he com. 1 pictrd in d short tiipe.
 The principal city Is GautemaIa, situa ted five thousand feet above the sea It is built in the Valley Of Ernita (which means ihe hrrmit.) Gautemala Cny Is the capital aud has a population of seven V live thousand. Among the prominent buildings lp the city are The Cathedral the churchrs of San Domingo and San Francseo, the cchools of Law. Pharma- cy. and Medicine, the luIuslral institute for young ladies. School ot Engineers, I S..l,,. ConserYatory of Music, the National Pal. ace, the Agricultural school for Indians the new Presidential Mansion, costing hglf million dollars. and whch would be an nrnamrnt 10 any American city.
 There are several handsome monu- meiis. One of Christopher Columbus in the plsza de Armas, and one of Gen. Garcia tranadns and one of Gen. Rufriro Barios; they ale magnificent works of art. The Bou!eyard Reformer is a lovely driveway, extending about three miles out of tlie city.
 Guatemala City has a system of elec- tric lights, telephones, waterworks. and street ears all of the most modern iin- proYements.
 The several parks of the city are in- deed lovely, with their tropical plants and shrubs It is said to have ihe finest band on all the Pacific coast, having about seventy pieces. IL gives fine public con certs three nights in each week, each night in a different park.
 The second city of importance is Quez. altenaugo. which is fully seven thousand feet above the sea level. It has about thirty thousand inhabitants. Iacapa. Retalhulea (which is great coffee mar ket and Clnqumuia, areiapertant places.
 About twenty-five miles from Gaute. mala City is Antlgue, the ancient capital of the five republics. During the Span sh reign, il was destroyed by torrent of water from the volcano Of Agua (which is spanish for water.) AmOug the lives lost was that of the wife of Pedro de Al. yaradO, the conquerOr of Central America. The toTn was then removed to the Val ley of Pauchay, where in the year l773, it was destroyed by violent earthquake. in which sixty thousand lives were lost. The capital was then removed to the present site of Guatemala City.
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