Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-12-05

OF all the worlds sautocrats none is more
interesting than Archbishop Casas Nuevas,
the cassocked despot of Guatemala, and
none uses that power more beneflcently.
This Is the more remarkable because Gem
trail America in general and Guatemala in
particular has for generations been domi-
mated by military dictators ruling under the
thin disguise Of constitutional presidents.
The archbishop towers above these dicta-
tors as the greatest dictator Of them all. He
tried In vain to become president, and
through that very failure became more
powerful than any president Guatemala has
known. Here is the story Of how 1t hap
pened:
Many years ago. when Barrios was In the
height OF his power in Guatemala, there
lived in that country rich planter named
Senior Don Casas Nuevas. He was the only
man in Guatemala who dared to openly
Withstand Barrios. He was the only man
whom Barrioe feared. Wealthy. well-born,
influential. clever and attractive in his per-
sonality. Don Casas Nuevas soon gathered
strong party around him and became one
of the most popular men In the country.
He was of a fiery ardent nature. and all
his tastes were military. While still young
he sought to become an officer in the Qua
temalan army. but Barrfos refused him a
commission, fearing his popularity among
the people too much to put him in a po-
sition to influence the soldiers also.
II I can't go into the army" said Casas
Nuevas to his friends. 'Ill have an army of
my own"
Had a Private Army.
Forthwith he set to work to organize one
among his friends and the laborers on his
large estates. He was the richest man in
the country. owning turquoise mines. opal
mines. coffee plantations and cocoa walks.
Even the maintenance Of his own little
standing army was luxury he could well
afford. The force was better disciplined,
better drilled. better paid and better uni
formed than the regular troops Of the gov
eminent. Barrios ordered it to disband, but
dared not try to enforce the order.
Then when the time for the election Of
president came around Casas Nuevas ran
as a candidate against Barrios. This was
an unheardof piece Of audacity. Barrios
was an autocrat who hitherto had simply
renominated and reelected himself without
or position at the end Of each successive
presidential term. But Casas Nuevas sur
rounded by his many friends and guarded
by his little army, defied him and made
it necessary to fight the election with bal
lots.
Of votes, and the Qua temalans rejoiced that
his long reign was ended at last by the
handsome, gallant 'Casas Nuevas-the idol
OF the people everywhere. But they re-
5Oiced too soon.
In his own part OF the country, on his
estates, surrounded by his army. Casas
Nuevas was safe. But he foOlshly came
to the capital, almost unattended, to as
sumo the presidency. .Barrios still controlled
the Guatemalan army, and saw his chance.
In the dead Of night his soldiers dragged
Casas Nuevas from his bed and arrested
him on charge Of high treason to the re-
public. So p,
Forced to Become Priest.
The high treason consisted OF having run
for the presidency against Barrios, and the
tribunal was a drumhead court-martial
composed of Barrios' favorite officers. The
trial took place that same night. and casas