The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-10-06
IGLESIAS A DICTATOR
PRESIDENT OF COSTA RIGA FORCED
TO ACT WITH HASTE.
Bloody Riot in the Streets of Santo
RomingO-Eive Men Killed and at
Least Thirty Wounded.

NEW YORK, Oct. 5.--The first details of
the internal disorders which have resulted in
President Iglesas, of Costa Rica, declar-
ing himself dictator were received to-day
from Harrison r. Williams until recently
United States consul at San Jose, Costa
Rica, and who arrived here to-day on the
steamer Alene from Port Limon. The agi-
tation against President Iglesias eliminated
at Santo Domingo on Sunday Sept. r. in
bloody riot. in which five men. one of them
rich and the others more or less well known,
were killed and more than thirty others
wounded The riot was between influential
partisans of President Iglesas and his op-
ponents.
President Iglesias some time ago was an
nounced as a candidate to succeed himself.
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 op-
position to him. It's strength has been
chiefly in the cities, where the business men
are deeply opposed to him and denounce
him because he changed Costa Rica's
standard to that OF gold exclusively. They
say the change is foolish and impracticable
and will work great harm to the country.
They also speak bitterly of his Pacific Rail-
road scheme, which will cost SO 800, GOO. Pres
ident Iglesias is building 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 Iglesas is popular
with the country element. He has built
bridges and railroads and has projected
other internal improvements that have en-
deared him to the agricultural population.
He believes in spending more money in
schoohouses than on soldiers, and has not
only carried out that policy, but has given
Costa Rica a just and able administration.
His opponents call themselves the Liberals
Both parties had planned a demonstration
in their cubrooms in Santo Domingo on
Sept. Y. On the afternoon of that day they
paraded through the streets. About one
hundred men were in both marching parties
In order to reach their clubrooms they had
to pass one another. They met in the main
street opposite the cathedral. Both sides
had inhamed tempers, and words were ex-
changed. Then some one fired a pistol. In
a twinkling bullets were whizzing plentiful
ly. Knives were used and rocks hurled
Every man was bent on bloodshed The
priests came out of the cathedral and called
on the rioters to desst. The riot ragged for
some little time longer, but finally the
eIIOfJS Oh the priests were successful. The
ground was then found to be strewn with
bleeding men. Three were already dead and
thirty or more wounded This is a conserva-
tive estimate Many of the wounded and
perhaps killed were carried away by their
friends. Current report had it that over six
ty had been wounded. The latter were taken
into the cathedral and cared for Two of
them died the next day. Whether any of
them have died since is conjectural.
Among the killed was Senior Seamora.
cne of Costa Ricas richest men He
was with neither SIDE but seeing his son
in the opposition ranks and in danger he
ran 10 assist him. He was stuck by bul-
let. When President Iglesias heard of the
affair he Immediately availed himself or
the opportunity to declare himself dictator
Mr. Williams said he did this so as 10
make absolute assurance Of preserving the
peace and having no repetition OF the dead
ly riot. Mr. Williams says that he will be
reelected President, not because ne has
announced himself dictator but because
the majority OF the voters support HIM and
vote for him.
The Pacific Railroad against which
there is so much opposition. is being built
by John S. Carement. Of GAINESVILLE. o..
and w H. Logan. of Minneapolis.