Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-12-06

Gus Of the fact that my men were respon-
sible to me and not to them
EARLY during my term of office locked
horns with one of these jefes, and il was
only because the president of the repub-
lie backed me up that l was able to keep
my force out of their clutches. This
jefe. his name was Padilla, was the big
geSt one of them all, being the governor
Of the department in which the capital is
located. One of my commentaries, or
precinct captains. sent me word that Pa
dilla had ordered him to place under ar
rest and send to him two of his police
men. No charge against these men was
mentioned in the order. for order it WAS.
The comandante felt himself between the
sword and the wall. which is their version
OF our homely proverb about the devil
and the deep sea, and compromised by
holding the men In custody in his station
house. but notified me of Padila's de
mand, instead of turning the men over TO
him.
.'Thereupon I wrote Padlla q letter.
telling him very plainly that when he had
orders for any of my men they would
have TO be transmitted through me before
they would be recognized. / also asked
him on what charges he wanted these
men. He answered. saying that as he
was my superior officer. it was none Of
my business what he wanted the men for
He wanted them and that was enough
That put it UP to me, for if one iefe was
my superior all twenty-five of them Were
and my position with all those masters
over me would have been intolerable.
<x
$50 let Mr.. Padilla know that in nv
conception thcre was nothing in the laws
of Guatemala that made the jefes ST.
perior to the chief of police of the Who'll,
country. and without more ado 1 released
the men from custody and returned them
to duty. His bluff was called, and he
made no further effort to get hold of the
men he wanted to punish and at that,
he probably had nothing against them but
some trivial offense against his dignity.
Soon after that l had an even more
fragrant case to handle. one which was
more serious, because it involved me III
a clash with the military. One day the
comandante of Guatemala, Reyes was
his name, Summarily seized two of my
men. and without any trial or any little
formalities like that, sent them to the
penitentiary. Fortunately for the two
policemen l was informed Of what had
happened to them. and made a demand
on Reyes to turn these men over to me.
l said that if he would inform me OF
their offense I would see that they were
suitably punished.
HE refused, and, as there was no
other way for ma to obtain redress.
appealed TO President Cabrera, who
ordered the policemen to be re-
leased from the penitentiary and turned
over to me for my action. However.
since Reyes would not or could not prefer
any charges against them, l had to re-
store them to duty.
The military were always the worst
foes of the police. but fortunately / never
had to take than very seriously. They
are rather amusing than otherwise. I
one day, when my duties took
me to d large public cock-fight. seeing
colonel of the army in full uniform In the
pit down on his hands and knees, him
self putting the gaffS on a cock. Imagine
that in this country.
But there were lots of other men hlgh
lp in the government who tried all the
ime to butt into the administration OF the
police force. They generally wanted to
have some man punished, generally Tor
some trivial impertlnence or some sueh
nonsense, and they always wanted 10
-ailroad the men to the penitentlary
Without even telling me what the accused
men had done. Well, if l had allowed
hat the force would nave gone 10 pieces,
because the men would have seen that
was not able to protect them from the
attacks of revenge-seeking outsiders.
Every one treated me well in Guate-
nala" said Mr.. Lamb, in grateful tone.
he other day. president Cabrera him
elf and his ministers were always gra-
,ious and l don't want to have any OF
ny remarks construed carping crit
cisms of them, for l have no quarrel
whatsoever with them. l did the work
hat | was called on to do there. and left
when my contract expired, with only mu-
ual good feelings between myself ana
he members of the government.
Guatemala is great country, and
ONE day it is going to take the place
mong the nations that its great resources
nd natural riches, as we'll as the progress
iveness of its population, entitle it TO
ccupy. Then it will be better known 10
americans. and great many of them
viii be surprised to see what "A charming
ountry lies so near to us. Now that the
abroad is in operation from Puerto Bar
los to Guatemala City 1t is possible TO
each the latter place in six days from
Jew Orleans and TO find a winter climate
here as mild and beneficial as that Of
he Riviera"