Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-06-05
.GUATEMALA'S UNREST
Series of Events Preceding
Present Revolution.
RISE AND FALL OF RULERS
Alternating Eras Of Economy and Elk
travagance.
has A HIGHLY TRAINED ARMY
Barrillas is Said to Have the Money
to Finance Highly Success
). full Revolution.

The sudden revolutionary outbreak in
Guatemala Is the elimination of long
reign of terrorism and misrule under the
despotic sway of one Estrada Cabrera a
self-constituted dictator. who, having sur
rounded himself with picked number of
henchmen, has held the reins Of govern
ment as tightly as any car. without having
either the ability of wise ruler or the
friendly aid of the counselors of a bu-
reaucracy. His rule has been one Of self
preservation through the medium Of murder
and crime.
Twenty years ago, at the close of the
progressive, yet strong. administrative rule
of ]. Ruflno Barrios, Guatemala seemed to
have forgotten the art of making revolu-
tons. Barrios' administration was termi-
mated with his death at Chalchuapa as a
result of his vain attempt to bring about
by force of arms the union of the five Cen
trail American states. The political stu
alton was saved at that time by Gen. Lis
andre Barrfllas. who, taking up the reins of
government, threw the cruel minister of
war, BurTindia, into JAIL proclaimed HIM
self provisional president and held cleo
tfon which resulted in his being chosen
for the constitutional period of six years.
AT the end of a comparatively peaceful adj
ministration, Barrillas distinguished himself
by announcing his determination of retiring
from the political field and holding an cleo
ton of his successor. This program being
carried out, Barrilas retired quietly to his
coffee estates near Quezaltenango, where he
set an example of extraordinary patriotism
by his non-interference in national politics.
and accepted minor offices at various times
where his services were needed.
Reina Barrios. who succeeded Barrillas.
distinguished his rule by an extravaganza
far beyond the ability of his country to
sustain and finally plunged the country
into revolution which he successfully put
down, only to meet his death at the hand
of crazy assassin.
Cabrera got control of the situation
which followed. From whence he came and
how he got control no one seems to know,
but he found at his disposal a weil-orga-
niZed and fully equipped army. for Reina
Barrios, imagining himself the young Ma
poleon of Ce ltral America, had not only
squsndered money on brilliant uniforms.
but had kept the army up to the high
grade of efficiency instituted by his uncle,
j. Rufino BarrioS
In countries possessing well equipped and
disciplined armies, no matter how revoiu-
tcnary their tendencies, 1t Is hard for rev.
olutions to prosper. When the country re-
voited against the extravagant rule Of
Reina Barrios, he sent his disciplined troops
against the insurgents and captured them
or chased them over the frontier So Ca
brera, with his army at his disposal, has
successfully put down number OF incip-
lent revolutions, although the. whole country
has been shocked at his career of crime and
high handed measures.
Isolation of Guatemala.
In the Central American states there
have always existed two distinct political
parties-the conservative and the liberal.
For forty years the conservatives ruled In
Guatemala. with an illiterate half-breed for
president. man from the lower element
of life. who began his career as swine
herd, became an outlaw and bandit, invaded
the capital city with q crazy band of eol-
lowers at an unguarded moment, Laid Inc
city under tribute, with the intentio'> OF
Withdrawing at nightfall. but found his2ssif
proclaimed president by the leaderless con-
servatives, who at once supplied him with
the sinews of war for the purpose of end
ing the rule of the liberal, Morazan. Under
the rule which followed Guatemala was al
most as completely isolated from the out
side world as a walled China. The country
practically lived off its native industries,
and although the government OF the ex-
brigand president was often dictatorial and
cruel In the extreme. 1t was the most eco
nomical government which the country has
ever seen. There were no high-salarled OF
fees. no money spent on roads or hign-
ways; there were neither seaports nor rail-
roads All foreign innovations were dis
couraged immigrants were not wanted ana
at no time was any too friendly feeiing
displayed toward the few foreigners VINO
succeeded in making their way into the
country from time to time. But j. Ruhno
Barrios changed all this. He at once
opened up the country to Foreign INDUSTRIES
and enterprises. He parceled out the gov
eminent lands to foreigners and encouraged
them in every way to raise cattle and cof-
fee He built highways and railroads ana
onened ports on both the Atlantic and Pa
cifc seaboards.
Conservative Rule.
The administration of Lisandro Barrillas
was marked by neither of these extremes.
He exerted himself more to carry out the
law as written than to introduce any reac-
tionary measures reforms. His rule was
one of comparative peace, greatly encour-