The Cairo bulletin., 1912-02-18
Events Of Recent Times Not Easily
Understood BY the Unfamiliar
Person
Review Of Historical Events Of Re
cent Years Made in Most
Thorough Manner


Panama, Feb. 1S.--The tragic
events IN Ecuador are not easily
understood by one not familsark with
south American politics.
Such will find difficulty in recon
filing the claim of Ecuadorians that
they are a peace-loving and law
abiding people with the fact that a
man who had just stepped down
from the presidency was lynched in
Guayaquil and five other generals
murdered at Quito, st the capital,
three days later
AS much as this violence is to be
deplored, an impartial review oil the
events leading up to the tragedy
shows that the constituted authori-
ties did their best to uphold the law,
and the populace. who finally took
the law in their own hands. were
moved by an impulse at least no
worse than TO wipe out forever those
who had plotted against the State.
But to go back little. President
Eoy Alfaro was elected in January,
1907, after dictatorship that he
won by overthrowing the constitu-
tional government of Lizardo Garcia
early in 1906. His term would have
expired on August 80, 1911. In the
preceding January elections had
been held and Emilio Estrada,
reputable civilian, was chosen over
General Flavio Alfaro, the Presi-
dents nephew, by plurality OF
100000 votes. Alfaro had support.
Cd Estrada, but after his election,
disappointed that the latter did not
become his tool, he attempted to
force his resignation. Estrada stood
firm and was supported by the peo-
pie, who were weary of the abuses
which had marked Alfaro's rule.
Alfaro's Attempt.
Then Alfaro attempted to pro-
claim himself dictator, but failed,
and on the eleventh of August was
forced to resign He was protected
by the diplomatic corps at Quito and
later left the country, promising
to refrain from political activity for
at least year. Flavio Alfaro, VINO
had supported his uncle, also ieft
Ecuador. ~
Estrada took the oath of office on
September / and retained General
Pedro M6ntero as military COM
mander at Gaayaquil, as his loyalty
had not been questioned UP to that
time. tt
President Estrada died in Guaya-
quill suddenly on the twenty-second
of last December and was succeeded
temporarily by DR.. Freil Zaldum-
bide, the Acting Vice-President.
The Provisional President called an
election for January %, and all po-
litical parties were left free to work
in peace for their candidates. Mon
tero addressed the soldiers under
his command, advising them to re-
main loyal to the constitution, and
no one expected to see him betray
his trust, two days later.
Three Governments at Once.
On the twenty-eighth of Decem-
Der, six days after the death of Es-
trada, a few soldiers proclaimed
Montero supreme chief, ignoring the
constitutional government. In the
meantime General Flavio Alfaro also
proclaimed himself supreme chief
in the state Of Esmeraldas, there
being then three governments in the
Countrywide constitutional govern
ment in Quito Monteto in Guaya-
quill and Flavio Alfaro in Esmer-
afdas..
Montero called General Eloy AL
faro from Panama and invited Fla
VIC. Alfaro to come down to Quay
aquil and unite their relationships
He appointed as secretaries OF hts
government a few men who had
shown sympathy with his movement
! ana prepared to attack the constitu.
tiopal' government and subdue the
country.
Quito Summons Soldiers. 4
The government in Quito sum.
nnoned General Leonidas Plaza and