The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1897-10-08
COST 4 RICA'S DICTATOR
Events Which brought About the Declare
ton of q Dictatorship by President Igle-

Evont6 vtntcn bfOuSnC ADOuG the OeCl8f8
ton of q Dictatorship by President Igle-
sias
New York, October 5.-The first de-
tails of the internal disorders which
ave resulted in President Iglesias, Of
Costa Rica, declaring himself dicta-
tor, were received today from Harrison
R. Williams, until recently consul at
San Jose, Costa Rica, and who arrived
here today On the steamer Alene from
Port Limon. The agitation against
President Iglesias eliminated at Santo
Domingo on Sunday, September 18th,
in a bloody riot, in which five men, one
Of them rich, n others more or less
we'll known, were killed and more than
thirty others wounded. The rios was
between influential partisans of Presi-
dent Iglesias and his opponents. Pres
ident Iglesias some time ago was an
nounced as a candidate to succeed him.
self. The election is to be held next
month and he is at the head of what is
known as the civilist party. There arose
very bitter opposition to him. It's
strength has been chiefly in the cities
where the business men are deeply Op-
posed to him and denOunce him be-
cause he changed Costa Rica's stand
ard to that of gold exclusively. They
say the change is foolish and impracti-
cable and will work great harm to the
country. They also speak bitterly of
his Pacific railroad scheme which will
cost $4,000, 900. President Iglesias is
building a railroad across Costa Rica
from shore to shore. The men of the
cities say that the cost of this road is
excessive. On the other hand, Mr.. Will
liams says, President Iglesias is popu-
lar with the country element. He has
built bridges and railroads and has
projected other internal improvements
that has endeared him to the agricul-
tural population. He believes in spend
ing more money on school houses than
on soldiers n has not only carried out
that policy, but has given Costa Rica
a just and an able administration. His
opponents call themselves the liberals.
Both parties had planned a demon
stration in their club rooms in Santo
Domingo on September 18th. On the
afternoon of hat date they paraded
through the streets. About 100 men
were in both marching parties. In or
der to reach their club rooms they had
to pas one another. They met in the
main street opposite the cathedral
Both sides had words when some one
fired a pistol. In a twinkling bullets
were whizzing plentifu1ly. Knives
were used and rocks hurled. Every
man was Del on bloOdshed. The
priests came running out of the cathe.
dral and called on the rioters to de.
sist. The riot ragged for some little
| time longer, but finally the efforts o.
the priests were successful. The ground
was then found to be strewn with
bleeding men. Three were already deai
and thirty or more wounded. This i:
a conservative estimate. Many Of the
wounded n perhaps killed were car
ried away by their friends. Current re
port had it that Over sixty lad beeI
wounded. Among the killed was Seno
Zamora, one of Costa Rica's riches
men. He vas with neither side, bu
seeing his son in the opposition rank
and in danger, he ran to assist him
He was struck by a bullet. When Pres
ident Iglesias heard of the ARRAY h
Immediately availed himself Of the op
portunity to declare himself dictator
Mr.. Williams says he did this so a!
to make absolute assurance Of preserv
ing the peace and having no repeti
ton of the deadly riot. Mr. Williams
says that he will be reelected presi
dent, not because he has announced
himself dictator, but because the ma
jority Of the voters support him AM
will vote for him.