The Washington herald., 1908-08-23

So much interest has recently been
aroused in the CniteS States concerning
Guatemala. and the aims. policies. and
purposes Of the President. Gen Estrada
Cabrera, owing 70 the completion OF ;ls
TraEscontinentaI Railway. tlau We pub
lish to-day some heretofore unappreciated
facts about that wonderful country.
Guatemala stands in the forefront Of the
Latin countries as 70 education- Its
President has. since his Inauguration. en-
couraged in every possible xay both the
Industrial and intellectual progress OF his
people. for which the republic Eas been
50 ambitious
AS an instance Of this fact, the brilliant
success Of the recent Pan-Americen Med
icaI Congress. which has just completed
its labors IN the city Of Guatemala. IS a
splendid Illustration This congress was
attended by representatives from every
country in the Western hemisphere. in
cIUding the United States and Canada
Although general medical matters are
subjects OF discussion. yeJ its chief ain
is, naturally, 10 systematic the quara1-
tine and other sanitary matters which,
-L-- -4-A----s-Ag ---1
countries Of the Western hemisphere. are
demanding closer and closer attention on
the part Of governments and individuals
Guatemala was selected by all the gov
ernments OF America as JEs seat OF this
conference. because Of the interest which
II has taken n the advancement OF inter
national sanitation
Revolution in Education.
II the matter OF public instruction there
has been perfected . genuine revolution.
particularly in everything that refers %
primary and secondary teaching This
to-day follows the lines Of modern prac-
teal methods. and President Cabrera has
even summoned under contract from
abroad specialists II each particular fed
The number OF primary schools has a.
most doubled. and the annual Feast oS
Minerva. which VIII soon take place. has
attracted the applause OF the whole world
on account OF the moral and intellectual
significance and the Inspiration which Il
gives 70 the people OF Guatemala This
Feast OF Minerva IS an annual zebra
ton. instituted several years agA and
il is becoming famous L is designed 10
popuIarize true culture among the Ci-i-
zens- The government erected n the
city OF Gua-eUzlz temple on purely
classical lines as a symbol o< Grecial
culture. and around This palace take
place the exercises which are today .
national festiyity. President Cabrera
{ takes the deepest interest IN this teas-,
and his wife Is one Of its greatest sdvo-
Gates. The President was instrumental
I in the erection OF the building and n
+ arousing interest II the ceremonies Five
thousand people are expected 10 attend
( the coming festival
New Railway n Success.
The Industrial development Of the COM
/ Try is well illustrated BY the energy with
which the intsroceanic railway has been
pushed 70 completion This line IS now
Z in regular operation Trains run daily
[ from Puerto Barrios. on the Caribbean
| Sea 20 Guatemala City. and from there
l 70. san jose. on the Pacific
It must be confessed that these grsat
I forward movements could not have been
effected without the personal energy. en-
{ thusiasm- and mental force Of President
[ Cabrera 50 much has recently appeared
I in the. American press detracting from
/ the character Of the man that il IS only
due 10 him and 70 the country Cf which
I he Is President 70 give q few facts o. his
life
Z President Estrada Cabrera IS stiu
young. having been born in the city o1
/ Que Zaltsnarg0 On November =. lS57- E!s
early studies were completed IN that ci-y.
/ and there he took the degree equivalent
I 70 our doctor OF laws He pracricsd his
/ profession. and at the same time dis
/ charged the duties Of the uayo-alty q
| his native city. and represented his dis
: trict in the national assembly Under
d Gen tand President Reina Barrios, Es
I was called 70 occupy a place in the cabi-
I ne-. which position he held fOr i've years,
I and exercised q most important influence
{ on the progress which Guatemala showed
during the administration Of the la1ented
President Barrios-
Friend of Peace and order.
When President Barrios came 20 his
tragic end. Seuor Estrada Cabrera. being
First Vice President. become President
I which position he occupied with so much
courage and patriotism during this dan
gerous epoch II the country that even
his enemies recognized his power, and the
anarchistic tendencies were overcome
For the six years during which he has
[ directed the destin5es Of Gua-euala and
unfalteringly pe-severed in his political
programme he has established order.
peace, and progress as the basis OF his
country The army has never before
reached such a great degree Of discipline,
morality. and culture as IL has to-day II
is modern in every equipment
I Estrada Cabrera has taken great interest,
also. in the progress Of the other repub-
lies Of Central America and has often
come TO their aid Guatemala was among
the first 10 sign the treaties agreed 10 IN
Washington at the time Of the recent
/ peace conference The best answer
which the President can give 70 those
who would besmirch his name IS the deaf
ear which he has turned % their sIalders
and the nobility Of purpose with which he
has carried out his ideas for the benefit
o9 Guatemala