The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1897-11-14
ARE SICK OF TYRANTs.
CENTRAL AMERICANS WANT To MA
ANNEXED To UNITED STATES.
~ Lcague Formed TO Cast or the
Unacrupulous Military Chieftains
who Arc Ruintng the Country.

Correspondence Globe Democrat.
Guatemala. Central America. October IL.
Before this letter reaches tho United States
there will be In full operation plans fer q
revolution In Central America that will
make all other upHsings in Central aud
South America insignificant In comparison.
1t will be diffcrent from all similar revolu-
tons that have agitated this unfortunate
part OF the earth by virtue Of the fact that
1t will be conducted by the best people Of
tho country. those who have for many
years submitted to all the sufrcrings and
indignitics OF autocratic rulers raised to
emincnce through the power OF bandits and
military chieftains. These people arc The
wealthy and moneyed class, and they have
patiently waited fer better times. hoping
that more stable government would la
time prevail. 80 that their property could
be protected and increased. Hut at last
they have abandoned hope and arc now
about to arise en- masse and do something
definite toward suppreesing the lawlcss-
ness OF the bandits and robbers VINO have
been placed In office.
worse ruled than the Central American re-
publics. No one OF wealth and refinement
enters INTO political affairs. aud the gov
eminent OF the States has been heretofore
left 10 the lowest classes. These aspire
to office simply for the money they cum
make out OF 1t. AS soon as once intrenched
IN power they begin 10 enrich themselves
by taxing and robhing the merchants and
property owners, Then when their rule
becomes intolerablc another set Of bandits
cause revolution. Formerly II was thu
custom TO kill the leaders OF the fallen
government; but since revolutions became
so common they manage beforehand 10
prepare soire method of escape. ON the
eve of the revolution they disappear from
the country and turn up later in some
foreign land. whore they have secretly
sent the money stolen from tho republic
eXoheQuer.
The change OF masters does not improve
business or other matters here Another
change may follow quick upon the Deels
Of the frst There are many desperate
leaders striving for the control OF the gov
eminent all the time, and the lower class
OF people are so icfle that they are as
ready TO Kill the man they put in power
tomorrow as they were his predecessor.
There is n love of excitement and war In
the very air, and revolutions have become
SO popular that II would be hard for GER
Moreover, every revolution is accompanied
by Wholesale robbery an lootng OF public
and private houses and stores, and in this
Wild scramble Tor possession of something
OF value the irresponsible mob finds pleas
ure and delight. This love of revolutions
Is nearly as strong IN Central America ms
the love of hull fights Is In Mexico and
out OF a pure desire to satisfy thls crav-
ing for excitement governments are often
overturned. AS many as three distinct
revolutions In month have been noted
In Central America during the past year.
and one year Guatemala changed its gov
crnment four times In twelve months
through the conniyancc of revolutlonists,
The better class OF residents, who have
kept out OF these political disturbances.
have h"d TO purchase exemption from war
ring mobs by paying the different leaders
heavily. There Is every opportunity 10
make money here; but noarly half tho
profits have to go toward purchasing safe
ty from the revolutionary mobs. Taxes are
high xorbtant in many cases--but even
this is no sufficient When n man has a
profitable business he will he approached
dozen times a year by different powerful
political leaders who demand protection
money. II this Is not produced the mob at
the next revolution IL pretty sure to rob
and ransack his store or burn his property.
Those who will not contribute toward the
sooner or later they viii be ruined Gomez
quently 1t has been better TO pay the price
demanded and say nothing
But matters have now reached climax.
There has been a growing feeling OF dis
content throughout Central America aud
the better classes have organized league
which Will, Il is hoped, eventually solve the
problem that now troubles every self-re-
specting resident OF these republics. This
league Is to certain extent secret; but II
numbers among its members all the bst
element of Guatemala, Honduras. Mica
ragua, Costa Rca and San Salvador. There
are over 10000 names enrolled among Its
membership. Each member contributes
small fee which goes toward the general
expenses OF the organization, and should
occasion demand Il the executive commit
ice can make assessments.
At first the league was formed merely az
a reform organization in Guatemala ana
had for its object the correction Of the
most glaring evils. IT WAS called the
Guatemala Citizens league. and 1. ac-
complished some good results. ls was 70
successful In this respect that similar
movements were started IN the sister re-
publics. These reform organizations. how.
ever. could not cope with the military and
political leaders except In small way
They were Ineffective when II came right
down to correcting political evils and the
citizens despaired of ever accomplishing
their object.
Political strife ard disturbances have in
tensi6ed recently and there has been
growing conviction that outside help must
be obtained The Central American
league has been formed 10 obtain this by
the consolidation Of all the separate or
ganlzatiors In the diffcro-s republics. This
league intends 10 bring matters to ell
max, and depose the irresponsible leldeS
when the proper time comes and elect =
government OF it's own number to settle
matters. The league will not attempt TO
conduct the government for any iengtn
of fine, but merely to take tho power out
Of the hands OF the mob until something
definite can be done for the country.
The most favorable propagation u % have
the countries annexed to the Unlted states
or TO Mexico. or 10 place themselves under