The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-02-10

WASHINGTON, Feb. 9.-Senor Ia
Jc Arriaga, the Guatemalan minister,
10 the United States, this afternoon
received an official cablegram from
the minister of foreign affairs of
Guatemala, announcing the asslss.na-
ton of President Barrios and the suc-
cession to the presidency Of Fist Vie
President Cabrera.
The dispatch came from Guatemala
City, the capital, where President Bar
rios has lived and the government de-
partments are carried on. 1t added
that entire calm prevails.
This last assurance coupled With the
immediate succession Of the first vice
president, in accordance with the con-
stttutIonal methods of the country. is
special source of qualification to the
officials of the GuatemaIan legation
here, and to some extent alleviates tie
shock with which they received the
news of the tragedy.
Inc relations between the late pest
dent and the Guatemalan minister To
Washington, Senior Lazo- Arriasa.
were much more than of an official
character. They were close, personal
friends and the death of the president
at the hands of an assassin comes as
a personal bereavement to the min
lister.
The new president, Mr. Cabrera. is
man of prominence in Guatemala.
and is one of two chosen by the con-
gress to fill the presidency in case of
vacancy. The system of the country
is different from that in the United
States. there being no vice president
elected with the president. The duty
of filling the executive chair devolVes
on the congressional branch and ac-
cCrdingly two vice presidents, first and
second. We're designated some time
ago. They are eligible in the order Of
1t, g.l,-
the tragedy has passed a presidential
election may be held.
Gen. d. Jose Ma Reyna Barrios president
OF the republic of Guatemala, was born I'm
San Marcos, in 1883. He was a nephew OF
the former president. Justo Rufuo Barrios.
who was killed in 1883. The general was
educated abroad and after his collegiate
course he made trip around the world.
He was always a Liberal, and when the
Conservative party was ousted he was a
close adherent to his unces principles. In
the ensuing of federation. the purpose
of which the unifcation of the Central
American state, the general was placed in
command of d division of the Liberal
troops.
During the war of 1859, when his uncle.
the president, was killed, the general sue
ceeded him as commander of the forces.
Later on, when President Barrillas was in
control, he banished the young general from
Guatemala. and he went direct to California
and resided in San Francisco about a year.
Nine years ago Gen. Barrios was consul i'm
/. ItdmDurS, Germany. In lS92 he succeeded
Barrilas as president. His term of Office
six years. expired in March of this year.
Last June he publicly declared himself die
tatCr of Guatemala.
His partisans say under his administra-
ton the country prospered and developed
extensively.
SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. 9-The new:
of the assassi aAt ton of President jose
Maria Refine Barrios, of Guatemala
Gated great excitement in this f.itv to
day as both the murdered presideu.
and his wife were we'll known here anl
also because a number of San f auCi-cc
merchants have extensive interests ir
that republic.
To the little colony of refugees who
fled from Guatemala some months age
and located in this city to escape the
wrath Of the dictator. the announce
ment was not so surprising as the in
sUrgents thereatened some time ago to
kill Barrics before the expiration Of his
term on March Is.
At The time of his election to the
| 81 esidency BarriCs was residing tempo
raIily in this city and during three
! years residence here his wife, an Amer
| lean lady, whom he married in New or
| leans, made many friends
Private dispatches were received here
today from Prosper Morellas, formerly
| leader of the insurgents in Guatemala.
to the effect that he was en- route to
this city. He had been informed of the
death of Barrios, but disclaimed all
lrr-O yx-la Of q