The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1897-10-06
.INGLESIAS is DICTATOR
Takes Advantage of Riot to Assume
Supreme Authority In Costa RlCO.
BLOODY BATTLE FOuGHT IN THE STREET
Five Mcn Killed ana n Largo Number
WouEded-Kiynl Parties Como to
Ciash-Inglcsias Popular with
the Farmers, bus opposed by nusi.
ness Men.
New York, October 5, 1897.

NeW 1Ofk, OCTOBER D, 1871.
The first details OF the international
disorders which have resulted ia Presi-
dent lnglesias, OF Costa Rica, declar-
ing himself dictator, were received to-
uay from Harrison r. Williams, until
recently United States Consul at San
Jose, Costa Rica, and who arrived here
lo-uay on the steamer Alene from Port
Ilmon The agitation against the
President eliminated at Santo Domingo
on sunday, September IL. i'll bloody
riot. in which five men, one of them rich
ana Inc others more or less well known,
were killed. and more than thirty
others wounded. The riot was between
influential partizans OF President Ingle-
slas and his opponents.
me President, some time ago, was
announced as 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 opposition to him. Its
strength has been chiefly in the cities.
where the business men arc deeply op-
posed TO him and denOUrce him because
he changed Costa Rica's standard to
mat OF gold exclusively. They say the
chanSe is foolish and impracticabc ana
VIII work great harm to the country
They also speak bitterly of his Pacific
railroad scheme, which will cost S3SOO.-
0O0 President Inglcsias is building a
to shore. The men OF the cities say
that the cost of this road is excessive
On the other hand, Mr.. Williams says,
president Inglesias Is popular with the
country element. He has built bridges
and railroads and has projected other
international improvements that have
ehdeared him 10 the agricultural popu-
ration. He believes IN spending more
money In schOolhouscs than OF soldiers
ana has clot only carried out that policy
nut has given Costa Rlca just and an
able administration His opponents call
themselves the Liberals
Both parties had planned n demon
stration In their club rooms I'm Santo
Domingo. Ccl Setcmber 12. On the after
noon of that date they paraded through
the streets. About 100 men were in both
marching parties III order TO reach
their club rooms they mad to pass one
another. They met in the main street.
opposite the Cathedral. Both sides had
words when some one fired pistol In
u twinkling bullets were whizzimg nlen-
thullE. Knives We're used and rocks
hurled Every man was bent on blood
shed. The priests came running out
OF the Cathedral and called on the riot
erS TO deSist. The riot agcd for some
l:ttle time longer. but finally the ef-
Iorts or the priests were successful.
The ground was then found to he strewn
with bleeding men. Three were already
dead and thirty or more wounded. This
Is n conservative estimate.
Many of the wounded and perhaps
Killcd were carried away by their
friends. Current report had it that
over sixty had been wounded The lat
Ter 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 Senor Ramona. one of Costa Rica's
richest men. He was with neither side,
but seeing his son IN the opposition
rank. and in danger. he ran 10 ass!s;
him. lie was struck by a ballet
When President Inglesias heard Of the
aifray he Immediately avaiIed himself
of the opportunity to declare himself
Dictator AIR. Williams says he did 50
as to make absolute assurance of pre-
serving the Peace and having no repc-
tition OF the deadly riot. MIR. Williams
says that he will be reelected President.
not because he has announced himself
dictator, but because the majority of
the voters support him and will vote
for him. The Pacific railroad, against
which there is much opposition, is
being built by John S. Carement, Of
GAINESVILLE, O., and w. II. Logan, of
Minneapolis.