The San Francisco call., 1904-06-15
SAYS REPORTS HAVE
SLANDERED GUATEMALA
PortugaPs Representative at President
Cabrera's Capital Predicts Pros
DerOus F1ture for ReDubIic

porous Future for Republic.
According to a letter written by
Ricardo Franz, Consul of Portugal in
Guatemala. to Henry Mohns of this
city the affairs of Guatemala are by
no means in so bad a condition as has
been reported. The letter says:
We frequently receive papers from san
Francisco bringing notices and reports on con-
ditions of things in Guatemala which are the
very opposite OF truth Not long ago monthly
journal published in the Spanish language said
such queer things as to almost cause US to
smile were it not for the fact that they we're
grossly slandering to this country. II is always
unfair TO attempt to influence and set public
opinion against a country BY reports which
caused by spite and selfish motives even
If the author, in the above case had the
mercial enterprise.
San Francisco has so many and far-reaching
commercial interests and relations with this
republic that the people should have a clear
understanding Of the situation by strictly i'm
partial and reliable accounts. Like most OF
perienced within the last few years a sue
cession of depressions, and the crisis was the
more intensified because Of the influence OF the
low coffee prices and the terrestrial disturb
ances well known to all of US.
The crop Of 1904 and 1905 promises TO be
a most bountiful one, and the hncas. which
first owing 10 the excitement were considered
totally ruined. have been recovered and i'm
proved to such an extent that Il really NAV
be called marvellous. Thus the damage to the
previous crop which partially lost and
The losses caused by the destruction OF build
ings Will be more than equalized by the re-
slization Of the good prospects for this year
During the period Of 1895 to 1905 the balance
amounted to 500 s82 SIS 60 gold. and the tTsde
balance was in favor Of expectation. In face
Of this it may be natural to ask why the crisis
lasted such long time. In answer 70 this
1t must be stated that one OF the reasons is
the fact that most Of the business and the
most productive coffee plantations held
by foreign people and that the value OF their
products goes to foreign countries with the ex
ception OF What little Is needed for the sup
port Of the fncas, for personal expenses and
for exDort( duty.
The smaller native farmers have been
obliged to sell most OF their product TO paw
expenses. interest and mortgages and as cof-
fee prices ruled low for several vears mis-
meant a contraction in the returns for natural
products well shifting of balance
for which. however, the Government cannot
be held responsible.
The last years revenues amounted to SfT
5S6, ,S64 30. against expenditures OF S17,O3a-
OBS 46. national currency. in this cOnuectioA
II Is of interest to note that the present Gov
ernment paid out during the last six years OF
its administration So. 6S1 .419 "a in gold and
$40. 592, 461 u in national currency. of which
81. 513. 152 30 gold and So, 691. GA paper money
must be charged to compromises made by the
previous Government.
The American newspapers have already given
the important details in regard to the con-
cession obtained BY the American syndicate
object the constructing Of the Northern Rail
road, which Is to connect Puerto Barrios on
the AtlantlC SIDE WITH san Jose on the Pa
cific shore. This road is Of the utmost inn
portance. II reduces the distance between
New York and Chicago to one week.
Since Don Estrada Cabrera has taken hold
OF the reins OF the civil government the era
OF the Guatemala revolution has ceased. The
greatest part OF the dissatisfied element has
gone to work and is now enjoying peacefully
the fruit Of a steadily progressing and pros
porous country.
The reelection OF President Cabrera in July
seems to be pretty we'll assured and as he
Is a man OF such energetic mind and action
which he knows how to apply II necessary the
country is bound to steadily develop under
his administration
The salvation OF all the Latin American
countries lies certainly In the direction OF
work and not in politics.
Cabrera combines modesty and affabilitv to-
gether with the highest degree OF intelligence
and energy He Is man well fitted to Be
to Guatemala a second Porfrfo Diaz and the
progressive element is very enthusiastic IN Civ
ing him its support.