Omaha daily bee., 1906-07-15
HONDURAS DECLARES WAR
Republic Resena Alleged Invasion Of Soil
BY Troops Of Guatemala.
OBJECTION TO PURSUIT OF Rtstls
HevOIutionists in Guatemala Have
Reen PIRnuInE foF Years to
Overthrow President
Cabrera,

PANAMA, July IA telegram received
here from san Salvador says that Hon
duras declared war against Guatemala
today
According to this same message the fol-
lowing proclamation had been circulated
In Salvador:
General Bonilla comma nding the Saliva
dorean army has repelled the Guatemalan
forces at Matapan, In Salvador, ten miles
east OF the Guatemalan frontier. The vic
torious army OF Salvador retained the
positions captured from the enemy
The declaration Of war. by Honduras
upon Guatemala brings third state ac-
lively into the Genital 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 countries still passive. and
II 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 controversy between
its neighbors Recent reports. however,
declared its territory had been invaded
by GuHtemsian troops in pursuit Of fugE
tives from the army OF General Regalado
the Salvadorean commander, who was killed
in the hghting at Jicaro.
History OF Trouble.
The present trouble in Central America
has been brewing for long time For
the past FIVE years the revoutionsts in that
country have been planning, intriguing and
preparing for the overthrow OF President
Cabrera, and in their efforts to this end
they have not failed to appeal for support
to certain elements in Honduras and SAL
| VadOr uOrkinp Ou
| for hrst place among the several states
forming Central America.
President Cabrera has been harshly criti-
cised' by his enemies. They declare he
rules with extreme despotsm that no
| mans life is safe under his administration
and that the country morally and econom-
ically is going to the dogs under his unwise
and ill-advised course
On the other hand President Cabrera has
| declared this revolutionary movement TO be
inconsequential and that the government
would promptly put It down.
President Cabrera's term OF office In fact
expired in 1906. He has insisted however.
on holding ONCE.
Cabreras army is said to have no faith
in him. The pay Of the soldiers has often
been in arrears. The lighting men of the
states Of Central America are little more
| than automatons, to be led into battle,
! told to charge and be killed at the command
Of their officers. The army of Guatemala
is in fairly good shape. There are some
! 1000 professional soldiers in the republic,
with 5000 ablebodied men Of service age.
The reserves amount to about 5000 men.
1t was reported that Guatemala had $1,000
men under arms near the Salvador bound
| airy line
The trouble between Salvador and Guate-
mala is an outcome of the progress of the
revolutionists in their efforts to oust Ca
brera.
state Department Acts.
The State department at Washington has
been trying to prevent an actual clash be-
tween Guatemala and Salvador and In
structions have been sent to Minister Merry
at San Salvador and to Minister Combs AT
Guatemala City TO use their good ofices