The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-09-22

1t was after the manner OF President
o NAPOLEON, at the time Of the coup
d&tat, in the year 1851, when he upset the
French republic and assumed di~ctatorial
powers, that President JOSE NJ. REYNA
BARR1os proclaimed himself dictator of the
republic of Guatemala in the first week of
June last. He caused his troops to march
through the streets of the capital, dis
solved the National Assembly, ordered the
arrest of those of his enemies whom he re-
garded as dangerous, set up a rule of ter
rorism. got a loan from the banks at their
peril, and issued a decree justifying his
assumption Of the dictatorship. The coun.
try was quiet. Every one acquainted with
the beginning Of the imperial career of
NAPOLEON III. must have been led to be-
lieve, three months ago, that BARRIos of
Guatemala knew all about it.
In his justificatory decree, BARRIos de-
scribed the country's roubles and the I'M.
worthy character and evil ways of the Ma
tional Assembly. The Deputies, he said.
were inspired by personal ambition; they
committed Irregularities their conduct was
unpatriotic and impolitic; they enacted laws
that were inexpedient and contradictory (;
they attempted to break the ties of harmony;
their performances were unprecedented in
the history Of Guatemala. Finally, a
majority of the Deputies retired from the
Assembly, leaving behind only a hostile
minority, who refused to take their seats at
the appointed time. Such a state of affairs
was irritating to BARRIos; it was detri.
mental to the Governments interests: and
it threatened the public security. Why
should these Deputies oppose the Executivei
Why set themselves up against the Presi.
Dental policyi
1t was under these circumstances that
BARRIo proclaimed himself dictator.
There was no disturbance or protest. 1t
was reported at the capital, soon after the
coup dttut, that some of the more offensive
OF BARRIos's enemies had been shot. He
gave notice that he was determined to
maintain order. and that he would strive
to promote the happiness of Guatemala.
The dictator may have been prompted by
other reasons than those mentioned in his
decree. By the Constitution, his term of
office expires next March and a number of
candidates for the succession took the field
last summer. As dictator, he could at
once dispose of the Constitution, knock out
his rivals. and hold on to his place. The
most annoying of these rivals was
Don PRosPERo MORALES. who had raised
two cries, Down with BARRIos - and
"Guatcmala for the Guatemalans - He
was n more formidable adversary than
either JUENTEs or CASTILLO, than AMADo
or CBICo, for he was once Minister of War.
and in high favor with the army. 1t was
all important to BARRIos to get rid of
MORALES, and a dictator of business habits
can get rid Of almost anybody.
From the beginning of June till the be-
ginning of September the power of BAR
RIOS as dictator was unchaIlenged, except
ing by a few malcontents. who soon disap.
peared from public view. About a fortnight
ago, however, there was a demonstration
against the dictatorship at Sal Jose, OH the
southern seaboard, which was followed by
another at San Marcos. near the Hondu-
rasian frontier, and another at Ocos, on the
west coast. The word revolution" was
heard at many places, not, however,
at the capital, where BARRIos, supported
by his army, detied the enemy. 1t was now
known that the leader of the revolt was
Don PRosPERo MORALES, the aspirant to
the Presidency, whose ambition had given
offence to the dictator. and that he had the
backing of all the other Presidential candi.
dates, six or eight in number.
Last week the insurgents, perhaps 1000
OF them, made a bold stroke by marching
upon the strongly fortified and rich old city
of Quezaltenango. The troops of the garri-
son stood to their guns at first, though they
could have got money by changing sides.
They fought from the morning of one day
till nearly the noon of the next, when they
struck their colors, surrendered in a body,
cheered the name of Don PRosPERo Mo-
RALEs, and Joined the revolt. The en-
larged force of insurgents moved toward
the garrisoned port of Champerico, prepare
tory to an advance upon Guatemala City,
which, at the end of last week, was yet In
the hands of Dictator BARRIos. about
whom there are two reports, one of which
Is mat he will fight to the death, and the
other that he will seek safety in flight. lie
mas been a tighter ever since he was sixteen
years old, and may try battle again; but,
as he has always kept out of danger, he may
again be able to keep out of it. Since the
existence OF the dictatorship was en-.