Okolona messenger., 1907-04-17

cerned, and the rapine and slaughter OF peaceful
Inoncomhatants will begin.
1t is a mistake to call snch wars az this opera
bouffe affairs. They comical enough in the
matter OF the fighting, but aftermath generally
brings many horrible tragedies. The natives OF
Central America, like all hybrid races, are not
Warlike, although one or two Of the Indian tribes
whose blood has remained pure and brave enough.
Most of them, however, gre as cruel as they are
they show no mercy to the conquer.
ed, not even to the women and children. An IL
Illustration ofthis ierdcioHs cruelty was given the
other day whena NicaragHSn general issued pro.
clamation 20 his troops bidding them fight one more
EBatte aud then thew sw0nfd Sbe allowed to ayenge
their fallen comrads by pilaging and burning the
EHOndurans nstQwnsapd ravaging the country. The
trules Of civilized wariafeare unknown to the tropic
zone. ~f'h .rA ~ Y'f
The worst feature. Of these wars aside from
the killing of non-coIhbatants is the forced con-
ItributiOns that are levied upon the foreign mer
chants and business men, American, English and
German, who Conduct,most Of the trade and COM
merce OF those coutres. Both sides plumber them
in turn and it is death to resist their demands
notable exception occurred, however, during the
civil war in Honduras In the s9Os. "A director gem
era1Oi the cotton exposition in New Orleans in 1884
ly86 Major Burke, state treasurer OF Louisiana did
some fav0rs for the then president of Honduras and
in return was given a large concession in mining
and railroad building in that country After Burkes
term state treasurer had expired and his accounts
had been pronounced he left Louisiana to de-
velope his HOnduran properties. Shortly afterwards
his accounts were examined again and it was dis.
covered that he was defaulter to the amount Of
over $7OO, 900. ThereupOn the president Of Hon
dnras decided that he would seize Burke'E mining
machinery engines, dredges aud other materials
and work the rich properties on his own account,
But Burke was a fighting Irishman and he made up
his mind that he would not tamely submit to the
spoliation. Accordingly he got up revolution
i which proved so successful that within few weeks
ithereWas new president in Honduras Much to
\ the Irish maior'S surprise and disgust, however,
the new executive was as avaricious as the former
enc and as soon As his covet0us glances fell upon
the Iich'ofes Burke had taken out he declared the
c0nceasi0t forfeited to the government and ordered
Bnrke TO report to him at the capital Tegucigepa,
I alittle town In the interior in the heart Oh the
highest mountains in the country. Burke went,
4 but he took six young Americans with him, all Of
them dead Shots and taking possession OF hill
looking the town, demanded its surrender. The
Hond1fan army, consisting OF fifty privates and 500
generals were ordered out, but the etraght shoot
ling Americans with their Eharpe's rifles held shem
at bay for week or more and finally routed them
lin pitched battle. Then, the town being at their
mercy the president begged for terms Of peace,
which was granted condition that the concessions
should be renewed. Burke Jailed to get the capital
neceeaaFyto deyeOpe his properties and soon after
The died apOor man. But he and his little band OF
brave Americans were never moleeted again by the
Hondnfan army Or any oi the tyfant dictators who
rule the country.
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