The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-08-06
URUGUAY'S MANY REVOLTS.
ANOTHER LIKELY SOON IGAINsT THE
RULE or PRESIDENT CUESTAS.

ANOTHER LIKELY SOoN IGAINsT THE
RULE or PRESIDENT CUESTAS.
| The BlRnco Party About Ready for Ano
Try for tho Possession of the Public
| Onices-Present Conditions in the Re
| public and why 1t Does Not Progress.
MONTENEGRO. July 5.-There exists no Span
| ish-American republic. unless 1t be possibly
Venezuela or Ecuador. in which tho inhab-
| itants are 10 thoroughly imbued with the spirit
of revolution as in Uruguay. The Uruguayan
looks upon revolution az the legitimate way to
assert his privilege OF protest against any OIL
clal conditions or acts displeasing to what he
considers his rights ms a citizen Hewil agree
that rebellion and the attendant evils are dis
asters for the country when he Ia In power and
the outbreak occurs against the authority Of
his friends and hinself: but when the same
nan is on the other side Of the fence he will
declalm for hours on the justice OF his cause
and the sacred right OF himself and his COM
patriots to appeal to arms as the only possible
method OF finding a solution to the question
OF the day.
Tho last few years OF the history OF this re-
public form an interesting record from revo-
lutlonary point OF view. In 1875 President
Ellauri was overthrown by revolt headed by
Gen. Latorre. and Senior Varela was proca ed
President. with Latorre as Minister OF War; in
1877 Gen Latorre headed revolution against
President Varela, won the day and declared
himself Dictator. afterward influencing his
friends to secure his election MS President; in
1881 Gen. Latorre found the place uncomforta-
bly, warm and resigned the presidency to es-
caro- assassination; Vice President Vidal then
came into power. but resigned In 1883 from
the same motives that induced Latorre
to seek an asylum In Buenos Ayres |;
Gen. Santos then declared himself Die
tstor and afterward obliged tho Cham
beers to elect him to the presidency. but
fed the country In 1890 after being shot
through both cheeks and finding life altogether
too insecure In his position as head Of the re-
public then came Gen. Tajes. who gave place
in 1890 to Julio Hertero Ohes. during whose
term OF office various revolutionary outbreaks
occurred but were suppressed in 1894 Presi
dent 1diarte Borda took up the administration,
was embroiled in serious insurrectionary
troubles and was finally killed in Montevdco
in August OF 1897: President Cuestas then
stepped in and was confronted by military
mutiny in the national capital on July 4. 1893.
but was enabled after considerable shedding
of blood to suppress this attempt to overthrow
him This record OF twenty four years OF
presidential Office will hardly be equalled in
any quarter OF the world
President Cuestas. whose legal term Of Office
does not expire until 1902 has the reputation
OF being honest and anxious to do good for his
country. He has already introduced certain
financial reforms. and Is making energetic
attempts to reduce the system OF adminstra-
ton to comparative order All such efforts
mean. however. the making OF enemies and
difficulties spring up at every turn. The off,
ciais who have had matters very much in their
own hands up to the present resent an reform
that may take from them what they consider
tho legitimate spoils OF office. They have
small intention OF resgning themselves to
the sacrifice OF subsisting on the salary
OF the posts they may hold whom by little
ingenuity and black mailing they can make
fortunes. Hence the innumerable obstacles
which arise whenever proposals are brought
forward by the President for measures Of
economy or the more effective discharge OF
Official duties. To take the bull by the horns
and dismiss these officers would DO like put
ting lighted match into barrel OF powder.
and the remedy would be worse than the
disease. The President quite understands
this. and practically finds himself powerless
to materially alter the existing condition OF
affairs. always hoping. however. to gradually
bring about n change for the better.
President Cuestas at the present moment 10
not only obstructed by his own political party.
but is Also ia no little danger from the opposi-
ton. The two political sections In Uruguay
are divided into the Colorados and the Blancos.
For years the Colorados have boon on top and
all officials plums have been for them. Time
and again tho Blancos have disputed possession
| by force OF arms. but have generally been de =
| feated. In 1897 a revolt started by the leaders
OF the Blanco party was partially successful.
| insomuch as President Cuestas. to obtain
peace. was forced to offer them some OF the
and small representation In Congress. These
terms were accepted. but the revolutionists
| openly declared that they we're not fully
satisfied aud would prepars f9r another out
are organizing their forces and are taking full
| advantage Of the discomfort among the Colo
Trse 81 the
| that the time for an uprising is not far OF and
that tn. task ask O of oSH s the neck
Blancos aud Qolorados In tae matter OF govern
Ing capacity. but II there is to be a revolution,
as seems practically certain. the hope OF all
property owners is that tho fight will be a
short one with decisive victory for ono side
The question Of revolution brings to mind an
| Incident occurr Ing to friend Of the writer a
come people tried to persuade themselves that
the era OF revolutions had passed; Ny friend
~ in he eoas,ry. and the owner to adj 10
tho merits OF the bargain. stated 1t had in
Gs9E t the h
| two were talking servant rushed in and began
| closing tho heavy window shutters.
| Que hay, Juan p said the proprietor.
| "Otra reyolucion. ssror." was tho reply.
| And SO it Is In Uruguay to-day There Is no
| saying how soon the next insurrcction may
| begin, So far as political principles are con-
| cerned there is no very distinct line between
the two parties The Bancos represent more
generally the landed interest and therefore
the more solid wealth. OF the community; the
Colorados are. for the most part. jewellers in
cities. and owe their long lease OF power TO the
clever Vaccinations Of professional politicians.
| who have succeeded hitherto in keeping the
military eement on their side, a very strong
factor In small country. The Blancos prob
| ably have the more general sympathy, and IL
| is this popular sentiment that makes the pres
ent situation replete with possibilities for the
near future in the direction OF political de-
| velopments,
The population OF Uruguay is now Officially
| estimated to be 100000. but no census has
| been taken since 1850 and the estimate OF the
number OF inhabitants is. therefore. at beat.
| only RuesswOrk. The number of foreigners
In fIa 10 l,rrv ID,