The San Francisco call., 1906-06-29
TAKES REBELS
FROM MEXICO
Officer Writes Account
of Empires Trip
to COrintO.

81: A letter has been received in this
city from an officer of the steamship
Empire, the flagship of the Guatemala
-revOlutionists. She left here May I3
for Corinto ostensibly for the purpose
Of wrecking a stranded British tramp
steamer. The custom house records
show that the Empire carried no cargo
and when tie cable told OF her arrival
al Corinto with arms, ammunition and
large number Of lighting men, mem
bers OF The Guatemala revolutionary
army, the report was received here
with incredulity. Even shipping brok-
er Hart. who acted as agent for the
new owners of the vessel, expressed
surprise.
Passengers who arrived here on the
City Of Peking told something Of the
part the Empire had played in the
Guatemalan revolution. Now comes
this letter confirming the first reports
ano supplying some additional and in
teEesting details.
The letter follows:
s s. Empire, Corinto. June /. 'Oe.
We have al last arrived at our desti-
nation after many novel experiences
en- route.
regret that I could not see YOU the
last time you visited the ship, but you
were perhaps aware OF the secrecy
rhat prevailed and prevented any com
mEnlcation with people ashore until
-. Leavin Frisco we steamed north.
followed by tug with our cargo. viz:
900 cases Of rifles and ammunition But
the crew mutinied and incidentally our
circulating pump broke down and we
mad 70 return We compromised with
: the crew for 500 bonus each. 1 could
nave demanded the same without pre-
'3Hdice. but / prefer 10 take chances on
: what j viii get in addition TO my sal
ary.
a.. other desolate Mexican landings. At
'LoDDla; near the southern extremity Of
tfse Mexican coast, we took on about
LAlrty OF the leaders of the revolu-
LiGnary party with General Castillo in
charge. Immediately we proceeded to
ward Ocos, Guatemala, where we exz
pected TO meet a detachment which had
been sent several DAYS previous to take
the town by land.
We failed 10 observe the prearrang-
eo signal as we approached the port
and knew al once that our coup d'essai
was not as we had planned The Vari-
Gus cOnsuls in OcOs hoisted their flags
on sight Of Us, As they expected bonn
bardment We have learned since that
the present government. in anticipation
Of our maneuvers, stationed a large
force there.
p. A former president is at the head of
This revolution 10 overthrow Guatemala
ahd he has large following.
p I sold my Watcn and chain 10 one of
tf{e reNolutionists Tor 80 100 l am go
lng.fO make good on this adventure.
Dom write 10 me as ] don't know
- mere We VIII go or when i can return.
Our distinguished passengers are yet
aboard. sleeping on the deck. in ham
mocks, etc. Iney are armed 10 the
teeth with a varied assortment OF
rifles. reyOlvers and swords and no par
ticular uniform. / wish / rad cau1-
era II would help me TO make a good
story Of all this for some paper.
As yet we have done no crooked work,
but when we do we are no longer un-
der the American flag. but viii be at
the mercy OF the enemy.
This ship may be kept here by these
people. in which event we viii go back
Is passengers on a Pacific Mail boat.
but 7 SIN have hopes OF some day be-
ing a dictator.