The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1906-07-15

ten miles east of the Guatemalan from
tier. The victorious army of Salvador
retained the positions captured from the
enemy"
Two Arrayed Against One.
The declaration of war by Honduras
upon Guatemala brings a third state ac-
lively into the Central American trouble
which has been progressing with more
or less severe fighting and bloodshed for
month or more. Honduras and Salvador
are now arrayed against their neighbor
on the west.
Nicaragua and Costa Rica are the only
two states still passive and it has been
said that the former is about to take
part in the fighting.
Up to today Honduras has seemingly
taken no part in the difficulty between
her neighbors. Recent reports, however,
declared her territory had been invaded
oy Guatemalan troops in pursuit of fug
tives from the army of General Regalado
the Salvadorean commander, who was
Killed In the fighting at Jicaro
Brewing for a Long Time.
The trouble in Central America has
oeen brewing for long time For five
years the revolutionists in Guatemala
nave been Intriguing for the overthrow
or President Cabrera, and they have an
pealed to certain elements in Honduras
and Salvador working on national 1eal-
ousies
PRESIDENT Cabrera has been harshly
criticised by his enemies. They declare
he rules with extreme despotism; that
no mans life Is safe under his admin
istration. and that the country CONNER
cially and economically is going to the
dogs. On the other hand President Ca
brera has declared that this revolutionary
movement is inconsequential, and that
the government would PROMPTLY put it
down.
President Cabrera's term of office ex-
pired in 1906. He has insisted, however, on
holding office.
No Faith In Cabrera.
Cabrera's army is said to have no faith
In him. The pay of the soldiers has often
been in arrears. The fighting men of
the states In Central America are little
more than automata, to be led into battle,
to shoot and charge and charge to be
killed at the command of their officers
The army of Guatemala is in a fairy
good shape. There are some 1000 pro-
5000 able bodied men of service age. The
reserves amount to about 10000. 1t was
reported recently that Guatemala had 5O-
900 men under arms near the Salvador
boundary line.
The revolutionists are said to have had
plenty of fighting men, arms and am
munition, and they doubtless have in
vaded the frontiers of Honduras, Saliva
dor and MexiSo during the fighting
20 nfor hU
General Barllas, a former president of
the country.
Guatemala is a little larger than the
state of Ohio.
The trouble between Salvador and Guat-
emala is outcome of the progress of
the revolutionists in their efforts to oust
Cabrera They have invaded Salvadorean
territory and Guatemala claims have re-
ceived actual support from that govern
ment The statement has been made that
Salvadorean regulars are fighting with
the Guatemalan revolutionists, but Presi-
dent Escalon of Salvador has declared
that his government was observing strict
neutrality and had nothing to do with
the revolution in Guatemala
Revolutionists Have Best of 1t.
The revolutonists appear so far to have
had the lest of it. They have captured
and held several towns and as the move
ment progresses anu succeeuS ehNil i"HNS
are constantly being strengthened
The army of Salvador is described as
consisting of 5000 men and the militia of
1900. In case of war military service is
compulsory from IS to 80 years of age. The
area of the republic is estimated about
5000 square miles and the total population
at 1,006S4S.
The participation of Honduras in this
truble comes surprise There has
been very little to intimate thai this
country would get into the fray A re-
cent dispatch from Manuel Bonila, presi-
dent of Honduras, to the Hondurean con-
sui general at New Orleans, said that the
number of Honduras troops the Qua
temalan frontier had been doubled for the
purpose of preserving the peace.
Honduras Has Small Army.
The army of Honduras consists of 500
an area of about 5000 square miles and
total population of something under
100000.
The state department at Washington
has been trying to prevent an actual clash
between Guatemala and Salvador, and In
structons have been sent to Minister
Merry at San Salvador and to Minister
Combs at Guatemala City to use their
good offices with the governments to
which they are accredited to bring about
. peaceful settlement. In addition the
+. state department has been in correspond
ence with Ambassador Thompton at the
= City of Mexico and he has enlisted the
active support of the Mexican govern
ment