The sun., 1897-09-26
MURDERED HIS HOSTAGE.
JUAN APARICIo sHor Br DICTATOR
BAKRIOS.

re was Ono or vino Merchants OF oueIaite-
mango Reid TO stop the Advance OF the
Guntemnian InsurEents-VShen Morales and
Fueutes Came On tho Hostages Were shot.
Word reached this city yesterday from Guatc-
mala that when the important city of Quczal-
tonango in that country was threatened by the
forces of the opponents OF the selfconsututcd
Dictator, Barrlos. nine OF the principal business
men Of tho city. who had been seized as hos.
tagcs, were deliberately murdered by order OF
Barrios. One OF these was Juan Aparicio,
tho head OF the home branch OF the
richest and most important commercial
house in Guatemala, and himself, perhaps, tho
most important and commercially influential
man in the whole country. The house has its
main offices in this city, and 1t is from news re.
ceived there and at the tonsulatc, with BITS
from other commercial sources, that the story
Of the recent doings OF the two fighting parties
in Guatemala is gathered with the story OF the
killing OF the hostages at Quczaltenango.
The usurping Government is in possession OF
all the usual means OF communication between
Guatemala and the outer world, and little news
has been, pllowcd 70 lcRyc ihc colptrx sipSc
ene pOie!cal upheaSaf oesaii < fi.ontn dgo or 80,
EXCEPT as to the doinRs OF Barrios and his party.
BarriOs was President Of Guatemala, and up to
about month ago held the place by legal right,
having been duly elected six years ago.
Under the Constitution. as 1t had been adopted
in 1879 and amended in 1885, 81 and 80. his
term woah- have expired. this year and u new
election have taken place. This Constitution
provided that President was not eligible for
reelection Tho Government consisted OF the
President and National Assembly. and the
President and members OF the Assembly were
elected by general suffrage.
BarriOs knew that his administration
none too popular. and. moreover. that he had
plenty OF close competitors for the place. The
principal ones OF these were Prosperos Morales,
who is n blood relation OF Barrios. and Daniel
Fuentes, his brothcr.in-law. To offset any ef-
forts which these might make at the polls,
Barrios declared himself Dictator. and then had
the National Assembly rcarrange the Constitu-
tion. make the term for president: four years,
to coincide with the terms OF its own members.
and repeal the prohibition against President
succeeding himself in office. Then he had him
self declared reelected for the new term Of four
years
Guatemala. Not much more than a hundred
miles away from the capital lies Quezaltenango.
| perhaps, than the capital. New Guatemala has
about 1000 inhabitants, and Quezalte-
mango about 10000. Both lie in the, line
| slope and within seventy.tlve miles OF
a0d the of
| tion about Sep. at San Marco village forty
miles from Quezaltenango. When news OF this
| insurgents nearer home. The whole army of
| the country numbered less than 1000 men and
officers. and not all OF this had stuck TO Barros.
| Barrios had troops 10 spare TO protect Qucz-
altenango: and In place OF them he sent word
| 10 Rogue Morales. his schicfmiitary commander
in the city, to seize all the principal merchants.
demand all the money which could be had from
them and hold them for further orders. This
| was done, and the merchants, among whom was
| Aparicio. gave up the required money. When
| the insurgents under Morales and fuentes ap-
| preached the city word was sent TO them to stop
| or the merchants in Jail would be shot. The in
! surgcnts advanced, the ninety merchants were
| shot, and then Quezaltenango fell into the hands
OF the Insurgents
The killing OF Aparicio and the others raised
great storm OF Indignation. Aparicio came OF
| family OF Spaniards " no settled in the country
a baby. his grandfather started the house OF J
| Aparicio & Sons TO raise and handle coffee
hides. and sugar. The firm owned the largest
plantations in the country at san Felipe. hal.
runs from the port Of Cha'upericu on the Pacific
TO San Felipe. all the stock ol the Quezaltenangc
companes there. ana lots OF city real estate.
At san Felipe. where the plantations are. anc
1000 men are employed. the people rose agains
| Barrios' men. and joined with others all cowI
10 The port and attacked Rogue Morales. II.
escaped with wounds. but the lieutenant WI,
was killed Mr.. Aparicio was IL years old. anc
leaves a widow and four children.
| The house in this city is J. Aparicio & Co.. anC
Its members were Juan Aparlcio. Manuel Apa
| ric!o. and Juan Aparicio. Jr.
| WAsuiNGroS.. sept. 9j.--News OF the capture
| Of Quesalteuango Guatemala. by the iusurgen
forces was received AT the state Department 10
day in telegram from :. V. Lord a Cnite'
| States Consular officer Mr.. Lord says:
Il left Champerico and am in QucsateuanS
to protect American interests. Communicates
with the Guatcmalan capital is interrupted
The city OF Quesalteuango has been under fir
and bOmbardmcnt for twenty four hours. and
now in the hands OF the opposition General
| Great American interests are threatened.
| QucsaIteuango Is fortified town n!nety-hv
| miles from the sea coast.