The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-02-10
BY AN ASSASSIh'S HAND
President Barrios of Guatemala
Suddenly Stricken Down.
QUIET AT THE CAPITAL
Vice President Cabrera Takes the Oath
OF once Barrios Was Man of Great
Great Ability-Scanty Particulars
OF the Bloody Tragedy.

Washington. Feb. 9.-Senor Lejo AS
siga. the Guatemalan minister to the
United States, this afternoon received an
official cablegram from the minister of
foreign AFFAIRS of Guatemala, announc-
ing the assassination of President Bar
rios and the succession 10 the presi-
dency of Vice President Manuel Estrada
Cabrera. No details whatever are given.
The dispatch came from Guatemala
City, the capital. where President Bar
rios had lived and the government de-
partments are carried on. 1t added that
entire calm prevailed. The assassina-
.sion. coupled with the immediate sue
ression of the first vice president in ac-
cordance with the methods of the coun-
try, is a special source of qualification to
the officials of the Guatemalan govern
ment here and TO some extent alleviates
the shock with which they received the
news of the tragedy.
The relations between the late presi-
dent and the Guatemalan minister at
washington. Senior Arizaga Riga. were
of more than an official character They
were close friends and the death OF the
president at the hands of an assassin
came as a personal bereavement to the
minister. Senior Assiga said that Senior
Barrios was a man OF wide attachments
and marked ability. He was AZ years
of age. The Six-year term of service for
which he was elected terminates March
Is next. but the national congressional
assembly had already extended this
term for further four years. The new
president, NJ. Cabrera. is man of prom
inence in Guatemala, and is one of two
chosen by the congress to fill the presi-
dency in case of u vacancy.
San Francisco. Feb. 9.--The news of
the assassination of President Jose Ma
ria Reina Barrios of Guatemala Gre
ated considerable excitement in this
city to-day as both the murdered pres
ident and his wife We're well known
here and also because number of San
Francisco merchants have extensive
interests in that republic. To the lit
tie colony of refugees who fled from
Guatemala some months ago and To-
Gated in this city to escape the wrath
of the dictator the announcement was
not SO surprising. as the insurgents
threatened some time ago TO kill Bar
rios before the expiration OF his term
on March Is
At the time of his election to the
presidency, Barrios was residing tenn
porarily in this city and during their
years of residence he and his wife. an
American lady, who he married in New
Orleans, made many staunch friends.
Mrs. Barrios was in San Francisco
also when her husband proclaimed him
self dictator in June last, ostensibly en-
route to Europe: but she did not cross
the Atlantic and soon after the news
of his proclamation had been received
here. she returned to Guatemala
/ Private dispatches were received here
from Prospero Morales. 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 knowledge
of the assassination.