The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-03-22

An Unsigned Treaty and "An Ideal
Constitutions" Are Elements.
Boston Transcript.

Boston Transcript.
The present trouble In Honduras arises
from the quadrenn.al election. which was
held last November. There were three
candidates, the chief OF which was Manuel
Bonilla. Terenso Sierra had been President
for four years, and under the new Consti-
tuition was ineligible to reelection. There
are about 5000 votes usually cast in Hon.
duras. but 1t was found that about 5000
had been cast at this election. showing a
marked discrepancy. Although Bonilla had
a large majority of the votes cast, President
Sierra declared that the election was fraud
ulent. and that Bonilla was not entitled
to his seat This precipitated, of course.
immediate conflict. When Congress met
President Sierra submitted the dispute as
to the presidency for it's decision. but al
though Manuel Bonilla needed only two
more votes for a majority he could not get
them 1t is reported that Sierra offered to
give Bonilla enough votes If he would agree
to appoint Sierra general of the army and
consent to the latters reelection to the
presidency four years hence. This report is
disputed by Sierra's friends, but there is no
doubt that he controlled the situation and
prevented the election.
Bonilla is one of the richest and most ag-
gressive and popular men in Honduras. He
Is merchant and a planter and cousin
Of Polycarpo Bonilla. who was President
before Sierra. Manuel Bonilla lives on the
racine slope, near Amalpa. He did not
seek the presidency. but went into it, 1t is
claimed, to oblige some of his friends and
70 prevent Sierra from usurping his con-
troll Sierra is a professional soldier and
Indian. with very little education. Near
ly his whole life has been spent in revo-
buttons. 1t was Polycarpo Bonilla who laid
down the present Constitution for Hon.
duras, and he was the first President that
had ever served out his term. At that time
Sierra was made commander-in-chiefo of the
army and secured good results, so that
when Polycarpo Bonilla went out of office
Sierra was elected without any trouble
But Sierra showed the same ambition that
many Honduras men have for a dictator
ship, al evidently wished to perpetuate
himself In power
Bonilla gathered an army near his home
toward Tegucigalpa- After the revolution
sarted, Sierra resigned the presidency in
favor OF Juan Angel Arias, who had been
MS private secretary Sierra Immediately
TOOK charge OF the army and started for the
Pacific coast TO check the Bonilla rebellion.
1t Is claimed that Sierra has been expect
q ing trouble from Bonilla for few years,
scame into the treasury in order, to down
: the expected revolution.
To complcate matters, there Is a serious
one one side and Honduras on the other.
which threatened to involve all Central
America In one of those terribly bloody
wars This trouble Is the outcome of the
congress OF the Central American republics
ct Corinto, near Nicaragua, last year, in
which treaty was drawn up and subse-
quently signed providing for arbitration of
any disagreement between the republics.
While the congress was being held a seri-
Gus MISUNDERSTANDING occurred between the
presidents OF Salvador and Guatemala. 1t
was announced last October that the Cen
trail American court of compulsory arbi-
tratton had been installed at San Jose.
Costa Rica. but that Guatemala had refused
TO participate. Guatemala on the one side
and Nicaragua and Salvador on the other
are also involved in this election contest
OF honduras; Guatemala is in favor of
Bonilla, while Nicaragua and Salvador
have taken a stand for Sierra. This makes
pretty contest and one with great possf-
terdays news seemed to show that the rev.
olution Is nearly over. Bonilla Is having
success all along the line. and the govern
n mens expects defeat: Bonilla has pro
organised his army, to Point Pela on the
Atlantic seaboard. The wife of Sierra at
last accounts was trying to make her es-
tional proof OF the fright Of the govern
ment supporters.
Many believe that the constitution which
Polycarpo Bonilla gave Honduras in the
course Of his term Of Office was too nearly
ideal to be practicable I'm such a country.
10 this imPracticability is ascribed the
present condition. His constitution at
tempted to give the people a secret ballot
tn place OF the oral form of voting, which
the country previously had. The evil which
this change was intended TO counterfeit was
the tendency of Presidents to make use of
the power thus put into their hands for
their own benefit. Unfortunately. only one
quarter of the people OF Honduras can read
and write. The secret ballot is therefore
not practicable. The law contains this
novel feature: Every citizen is obliged to
"A of fine <1ft
less he can prove that he had a reason
able excuse for remaining away from the
polls.
Ex-President Polycarpo Bonilla, the man
whom some have styled the abraham Lin
coin of Central America" IL living a re-
tired life I'm the capital Although less than
nifty years old. 1t Is said OF him that he
was the only President of Honduras that
ever relinquished his office to a successor in
q friendly spirit.