Omaha daily bee., 1910-04-07

President Davila Of Honduras Is reputed
to be the most honest executive in Central
America. That doesn't mean that his Is a
bed OF roses. His term will expire next
year and the elections will be held some
time in October, 1911. In all likelihood he
will not be a candidate for reelection. IL
he can serve out his term without a revolu-
ton to mar its peaceful history, he VIII
have every reason to congratulate himself.
The main argument that is directed against
him by his opponents is that he owes his
place at the head Of the state to Zelaya,
and that he must therefore be a henchman
Of Nicaragua's fallen dictator.
There are several political parties in
Honduras. They differ solely as to their
leaders. AS to principle or theories Uf gov
eminent they do not profess any definite
! convictions. Amy one of them coming into
power might be relied upon TO continue
the government in practically the same
way that Davila is now running 1t. The
personality Of the leaders therefore becomes
important. The party which supports
Polycarpo Bonilla does not at present have
any considerable degree Of popularity. Its
most conspicuous members, aside from Don
Polycarpo himself. are the brothers Ugarte.
particularly Angel Ugarte, at one time min
lister 70 England, and again to the United
states.
At the head OF another and very influ-
entail party is Manuel Bonilla. He is no
relative of Don Polycarpo, although bear
ing the same family name. Some of the
leaders of this party are in exile. Among
them is Fausto Davila, a relative Of the
actual president Of Honduras. Another con-
spicuous member Of this faction, General
Gallardo, has i'm his time held high positions
under the government. He was for some
time governor OF Tegucigalpa, and then
governor OF the Atlantic coast. Gallardo
took q leading part in the war with Mica
ragua three years ago. lie was in com
mand of one OF the armies operating
against Zelays. He withdrew from Hondu-
ras after peace had been established be-
Ween the two countries and President
Davila had come into office. Gallardo re-
turned to Honduras about eighteen months
ago, but his motives were suspected, and
within two weeks he was notified by friends
that the climate wasn't nearly so healthy
for him as he thought. The hint was suffi'
cient. Gallardo got a skiff and rowed
hastily away to Belize.
Polycarpo Bonills was once president Of
III aos L 81 OAC VI NAiNO bANeAhNAANs
who, in 1898, founded the Republlca Mayor
or Greater Central American Republic. II
this scheme he was associated with zelays
Of Nicaragua and Gutierrez of Salvador
The main feature of the union was a con
gress, which held its meetings in Managua
Spain even went so far as to recognize,
the existence Of the Republica Mayor, AM
to accredit a minister to it. But within
" n--.1zl- -N--4-l L.
Salvador against Gutierrez, which dlverte,
Salvador from the union, and it prompt.
dissolved. This was Don Polycsrpo's prin
cipal exploit as a statesman.
Polycarpo Bonilla is a man Of genuin
talent. He was originally a lawyer, an,
made his home in Tegucigalpa. His tern
as president came to an end In 1898, whei
sierra was peacefully elected to succee,
him. In 1902 Sierra declared in favor o
free electlons-that is, he proposed to al
low all parties to present their candidates
and to surrender power to the man get
ting the majority of the votes cast. Tha
sort of pronouncement might not awake
much interest in the United States, but
was quite novel enough in Central Americ
to create considerable discussion. Som
people urged Sierra to retain his hold o
power.
Two candidates declared themselves
Arias and Manuel Bonilla. The contes
was spirited. The Influence Of the gov
eminent was thrown to Arias. In spite c
all that Sierra could do to influence tn
issue, Manuel came in at the head Of tn
poll. Sierra, whose honesty of purpos
does not seem to be questioned, even nov
by his political enemies, then took tn
course, startling in view of his previou
liberal declarations, of cancelling the cleo
tons. He declared there had been fraud
of a nature to vitiate the result entirely
This action, under the constitution, thre,
the election into the congress. At the sam
3 time Sierra arrested some Of the mo.
enterprising OF the campaign managers {
the Bonilla party, and put them in jai
, Bonllla didn't wait for anything to haI
! pen to him. He departed with all hast
for Amapala, whittier his adherents prc
ceeded to assemble. In the meantime cor
: gress had met and cast its vote for Aria.
Bonilla felt he had been badly treated
4 and adopted the Central American c,
i, pedient of revolution. Within thre
weeks he succeeded in driving Aria
, out of office. There was some flerc
fighting, in which Sierra took part in III
I, conflict in person. When the result {
the campaign was no longer in question
Sierra and Arias departed precipitately fc
Nicaragua.
Manuel Bonilla made a pretty good pres
J dent. Two weeks after his inauguratio
his army was paid off and dismissed. H.
r regime was marked by the absence {
military parade, the common characterize
of Central American satrapies. The pres
dent was even known to ride around O