The San Francisco call., 1899-07-10
GUATEMALA IS
IN THE THROES
OF D|SCONT TENT
Government Marked
by Disorders.
DEPARTMENTS UNOFFICERED
WRETCHED FINANCIAL CONDI-
TION Is THE CAUSE.
Arrival of Prominent Central Ameri-
cans Confirm the Stories of I'm
pending Turbulence and
Present Destitution.

The steamer San Juan. which reached
this port early last evening, had num-
ber of prominent Guatemalans aboard,
who are of one voice in a tale of govern
mental and financial distress and an i'm
pending public uprising. Stormy times are
ahead for the Central American repub
lies, and, judging from appearances, Guat-
emala will again be rent by civil dissen-
sion and internecine strife.
The presnt distress is said to be the
natural and logical outcome of the finan-
cial system of the country. Last October
arrangements were made to float a paper
issue of $4,000, 000 Bills were issued in
January, and from that time to the pres
ent 50 600 900 worth of comparatiy ely value
less paper was sent out. AS most of the
business conducted with foreign traders
is done through sight drafts on the United
States. that medium of exchange mas
jumped to enormous values. The nominal
quotation on United States sight drafts
reaches a 900 per cent premium, but the
men who arrived here last night say it is
far above that. According to their state
ments a sight draft on this Government is
hardly purCha asable with the currency of
Guatemala.
The imitation of paper money. in which
the people place no trust, is at the bottom
of the governmental evil. Tales Of suffer
ing and destitution come from all over the
country. One of the most prominent plant
ers. who is now in this city, said last
night:
1.-THE currency. combined with the sur
plus production of coffee, explains the
conditions OF late years every bit of ara
bic land has been used for the growth or
coffee, with a result that there is over
production. The coffee growers them
selves will not be the great sufferers, for
they trade directly with America and re-
ceiVe gold in exchange for their products.
The poorer classes feel the iron hand. as
they receive in turn money which is of
no genuine value compared with it's face
denomination Conditions he changed
in time by the enforced disuse of many
acres of coffee lands. but the real cause
of the trouble is In the finance.
President Cabrera is now at the helm
in Guatemala and he will have TO ride
heavy storm before he lands his ship in
a safe port H. f. Hockmeyer, DIR. Fran
are the three influential Guatemalans who
arrived last night Each one was lost
in a cloud taciturnity and preferred not
Letters received in this city last night
bespeak the tottering of the Cabrean ad-
ministration 1t seems that three depart
them At present, according to fnforma-
tiOn received, there are no Secretaries of
the Treasury, Foreign Relations and Pub
lie Works.
Though the bait has been proffered. no
one seems willing to take the hook;
the coinage of a silver standard piece,
600 fine in place of S35 fine. This brought
a storm about his ears and he laid the
blame upon the superintendent Oh lne
mint, who now lies in jail.
In order TO adjust matters Cabrera
made a demand upon the banks for sub
the result of the expulsion of President
Rocenda Devella of the Bank of Colom-
bia and the forced flight of Alexander
Abrahmson of the Bank of America.
Silver has been made contraband. All
Guatemalans who attempt to ship it are
apprehended and inCarcerated. Ameri-
cans doing so are invited to shake the
dust If Guatemala off their feet.
News comes from Washington that the
Guatemalan Consul. Antonio Lazo Ar
riago, intends to return to his own coun-
try to recover $4,000 back salary. This
will leave his country without a repre-
sentative at Washington. Judging from
present conditions Guatemala is on the
brink of a great upheaNal.