Evening star., 1907-07-08
GREAT ARMY CAMP NOW
GUATEMALA MAKING READY
Fc2 NICARAGUAN WAR.

MEXICO CITY, Mexico July S.-Guate-
mala is in position to put 60,oO0 we'll
drilled and well-equipped men in the field
in the event of war, according to esti-
mates made by natives of the republic
now in Mexico. If President Zelaya of
Nicaragua carries out his program of try
ing to bring about Central American
federation by means of war he Will have
to do lot Of fighting in the Guatemalan
mountains before he can conquer.
'Guatemala is a military nation, said
man who is well posted about conditions
there.
There is hardly man in the republic
who has not seen military service The
system compels almost everybody to
serve in the army, and many persons
strength of the country, especially If it
came to the point of repelling a foreign
invasion.
The regular period of military service
is only three months, so that the men in
the ranks keep changing, and almost
every man in the republic has to take his
turn. Most men do not seriously object
to the service, realizing that they can
return to their business in a few weeks.
Soldiers Well Trained.
TT is surprising how well the soldiers
are trained. The boys begin at school and
remain soldiers until they die. Americans
and Europeans are employed as instruct
ors, and the Guatemalan officers have
absorbed ideas from experienced military
men of all countries. The rifles and guns
could stand the strictest inspection In any
country. Most of them were purchased in
the United States. The general condition
of the army is far superior to that in the
average Spanish american country
Mexico from Salvador, where he has
coffee plantation. is convinced that Guate-
mala is in a position to offer a strong de-
fense If attacked, and that If the troops re-
main loyal 1t would require very hard work
to overthrow the present administration.
He says no regular trains are now running
on the Guatemalan railroads. as the gov
ernment is using the equipment in trans
ferring troops and munitions of war. The
frontiers are lined with armed men and
preparations for war are being made on
every side. All the seaports have been forti-
fed and at San Jose. besides placing new
Dor has been mined. Machine guns have
been sent to Champerico and the fortifica-
tions there have been strengthened
All Talk Of War.
'All that one hears throughout Central
America Is war talk" said Mr.. Downie
land Guatemala seems to be devoting her
entire resources to preparations for a strug-
gle that cannot long be delayed In the pub
lie estimation"
Don Ricardo Garcia Granados left this
city today for Sal:na Cruz, where he will
take steamer for Salvador to begin his
duties as charge d'affaires, relieving the
spresent Mexican minister, Don Federico
Gamboa, who has obtained a. leave of alb
sence.
Senior Garcia Grenados has been non.ed
as charge d'affaires to Salvador and tNca-
ragua, leaving Honduras. which Is sun posed
porarily without any diplomatic representa-
ton from Mexico. In Guatemala Il = ar
chiyes of the Mexican legation have Leap
turned over to the consul, Don Fidel PoSrt,
guez PARA, and there is no diplomatic a. e. "
there Senor Garcia GrenaCos is well kno ~
In Mexico City. He has recently served as
member of the congress, ard h. belongs to
the Society OF Engineers a,4S c@hite IT'S and
to the Academy Of Social licences