West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1898-06-23

WueU De 10 cltcfeh. NC OONtInOFS
are appointed by The President.
In addition to the civil govern
ment. there is the military power
each department being under the
immediate control OF "comandante
do Aepartsmento," and each
slcaldls and Municipality being
under military chief called "el
comandante. In fact the military
takes precedence OF the civil au-
tborities-though by Fiction" this
is not the caee. 1t needs only a
"rumor OF war" to place any de
partment under "martial law" or
to place the entire republic in the
hauds OF the military. This is done
by simple proclamation by the
President. The President, him
self. is military chieftain. aud is
always accompanied by several
adjutants. even when he is taking
walk or paying social visit.
During my sojourn in that
country saw the inauguration of
six presidents. though the term is
four years. This was effected in
part by resignation (so- ca!led) but
principally 10y revolution.
1t was my lot to pass through
four revolutions within tho four
years OF my residence there. Two
of them "came right home to m-. I"
The last one. from Dscein Der, 1913,
to March, 1924, was the most SER
ious. The present President OF
Honduras, Doctor Policarpo Bonil
Ia. who had been a prominent law,
yer and leader Of the liberal p .rty,
had been exiled in 1898 by the then
president, aud with Guatemala and
Nicaragua as basis, bad organ
lied all the disaffected elements,
and having formed an alliance with
Nicaragua, successfully conducted
the last revolution. and is now en-.
joying the fruits of his victory.
1t was IN January, 1894. that
Bonilla and his allies laid seige TO
the capital, and for 81 DAYS life
Was burden to non-comba blatant
as was. The city was bombarded E.
fighting was going on day and night
there was no ingress of egress-
and above all the already scanty
living was growing scsntier. until |
and my conferes were compelled to
exist upon pancakes and molasses"
for four days. We bribed the gov
eminent soldiers to flake" for us
anything to be found. Our con
sciences were not quite so loud in
their demands as our stomachs.
We were brave enough. but the in.
donation Of bursting shells and the
sharp whistling of bullets is what
caused our annoyance. Many
Americans took part in the revolu-
ton on one side or the other, and / g.
as Consular representative, was
given good deal of trouble after
the war was over. helping my
countymen out of their difficulties.
The religious ovservances were u
source OF grea. interest to me. The
feasts and festivals are numerous,
and the professions were gorgeous
ss well as representatives. The fes
tival OF the resurrection, which oc
cupied all of "holy week." is the
principal one. The entrance Of
Christ into Jerusalem on Palm
Sunday, the resurrection and meet
ing of the Christ with Mary and
John are acted out in their entire
ty, by means OF images and spec
t"culnr representations. The TIN.
kle of the little bells. as the priest
passes along the streets, coming
and going to and from the home of
some dying man, to whom he had
ministered "extreme JUNCTION. !"
Is the signal for all persons within
sight to kneel upon the sidewalk or
in the door of their dwelling, until
the procession has passed by. The
CHURCHES are devoid Of pews. The
men stand and the women kneel or
sit upon the tiled floor. 1t is a
part Of the religion. apparently, for
women to wear shawIs upon their
heads, and ave stood at the en-
trance Of the cathedral and wit
messed pleasing sights of kneeliug
women, covered with shawls OF
every possible color. hose inter
mixture lent light and shade TO the
scene, as the priest entoned the
mass.
Social customs are peculiar in
themselves. The American young
man or woman would not relish
the strlctness of the association Of
the sexes. TO walk upon the streets
with young lady (unless she is nc
companied by her mother, or some
member OF her family. or her
"duens,") is social offense which
10 disastrous. Love making aud
ccurtship have their full share of
difficulties. The young man never
sees his sweetheart alone. He does
not take her to ice cream parlOrs,
buggy riding, long walks and
shady hooks. He sits In the
blossom OF her family" and di-
reefs most Of his conversation to
her mother. even after becoming
engaged. lie is sly enough. and