The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1897-10-07
COSTA RICAN DISORDERS.
EVENTS LEADING UP TO PRESl
DENT IGLESIAS DECLARING
HIMSELF DICTATOR.
A BLOODY RIOT IN The STREETS
Friends and Enemies of the Presi-
dent Met in Deadly Combat.
Adoption of Gold Standard
One of the Causes.

New York, Oct. 5.-The first details
of the international disorders which
have resulted in President Iglesias of
Costa Rca declaring himself dictator
were received today from Harrison K.
Williams, until recently United States
consul at Jose, Costa Rica, and who ar
rived here today on the steamer Alene
from Port Limon. The agitation against
President Iglesias eliminated at Santo
Domingo on Sunday, September II, in
bloody riot, in which five men, one of
them wealthy and the others more or
less we'll known, were killed and thirty
wounded. The riot was between infiu-
entail partisans of President Iglesias
and his opponents. President 1glesias
some time ago was announced as can
didate to succeed himself The cleo
ton Is to be held next month and he is
at the head of what is known as the
civilst party. There arose very bitter
opposition to him. Its strength has
been chiefly in the cities, where the bus
mess men are deeply opposed to him
and denounce him because he changed
exclusively. They say the change is
foolish and impracticable, and will work
great harm to the country. They also
speak bitterly of his Pacific railroad
scheme. which will cost $3,SOO,OO0.
President Iglesias is building a rail-
road across Costa Rica from shore to
shore. The men of the cities say that
the cost is excessive. On the other
hand, he says President lglesias is pop
ala, I. ,trx- ole 10 hn
built bridges and railroads and has pro-
jected other internal improvements that
have endeared him to the agricultural
population. He believes in spending
more money in school houses 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 II
Santo Domingo on September II.
On the afternoon of that day they
paraded through the streets. About ten
men were in both marching parties, and
in order to reach their club rooms they
had to pass one another. They met In
the main street, opposite the cathedral
Both sides had inhamed tempers. Both
sides had words. when some one fired
pistol. In twinkling bullets were
whzzing plentifully. Knives were used
and rocks hurled. Every man was bent
on bloodshcd. The priests came out
of the cathedrals and called on the riot
ers to desist. The riot ragged for some
little time longer, but finally the efforts
of the priests were successful. The
ground was then found to be strewn
with bleeding men. Three were al
ready dead and thirty or more wounded.
This is n conservative estimate.
Many of the wounded and perhaps
killed were carried away by their
friends.
Current report had it that over sixty
had been wounded. The latter were
taken into the cathedral and cared for.
Two of them died the next day. Wheth-
err any of them have died since is con
iectural Among the killed was Senior
Iamora. one of Costa Rica's richest
men. He was with the other side, hut
seeing his son in the opposition ranks
and in danger he ran to assist him. He
was strcuk by bullet.
When President Iglesias heard of the
ARRAY he Immediately awaited himself
of the opportunity to declare himself
dictator. Mr.. Williams says he did
this so as to make absolute assurance
of preserving the peace and having no
repetition of the deadly riot. Mr.. Viii
liams says that he will be reelected
president, not because he has announced
himself dictator. but the majority of
the voters support him and will vote
for him.