New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-03-25

OF the city's inhabitants. The Indians and
poems were plainly awed by the display
the more comfortable classes were much
entertained and frequently amused. All
were respectful, but one looked in vain for
a gllmmer Of the sort Of welcome that
distinguished guest receives in North
America
Ihat evening, after the dinner given by
the Minister of Foreign Affairs. three thou
sand Indians took part in a torchlight pro-
cession past the Foreign ONCE. and Presi-
dent Cabrera, giving his arm TO Mrs
Knox, stepped to an open window, from
which he witnessed the somewhat weird
scene. 1t was a pathetic sight-dull faced
men, women and children, their miserable
garb made more fantastic by the uncer-
tain light of their torches, trudging along
to doleful music and occasionally cheering
for Cabrera. in review for the entertain
ment Of the Presidents American guests
Cabrera, the last Of the type OF Dlaz
Castro and Zelaya in the republics to the
south of the United States, is the absolute
ruler of his 100000 subjects" 10000 Of
whom are Indians. Little is said OF the
President, and If what is said is true he
is nearly perfect man. The obsequious-
ness Of his ministers at various functions
was marked He directed every move. At
the slightest movement Of his hand men
rose and sat down, stepped toward him and
retreated automatically.
Guatemala is always peaceful" said the
President in an interview, land so we 90
not need a court at Carriage. But some OF
the other republics, where there are oc-
casional revolutions, do need such triouna
and II is a good thing" Guatemala, how
ever has not been especially punctlious IN
observing her obligations under the Central
American peace pact Of 1907, and only re-
Gently Salvador had occasion 10 complain
and invite the good offices Of the American
State Department to secure her territorial
rights against Guatemalan aggression.
Mr.. Knox evidently had this in MIND
when he delivered his formal address at
President Cabrera's dinner He declared In
language that could not be misunderstood
that the strict adherence OF Guatemala 10
the Washington conventions was insepara-
BILE from any hope of future prosperity ad-
vancement and peace These conventions
provide that disputes between the five re-
publics shall he submitted to the Peace
Tribunal at Carriage: that no government
shall invade the territory Of another or
permit within it's boundaries the outht-
ting Of revolutionary expeditions against
sister republic.
The grievance OF the lower classes-if
indeed. they realize that they have any
Is to be found in the poverty resulting. In
part at least, from the immense revenue
necessary to maintain the President and
army in lavish style. Foreigners complain
that they are subjected 10 more than In
convenience by the frequent demand for
the services of their laborers as soldiers
What the better classes think is not known
for certain. but 1t is true that for four
teen years Cabrera has maintained his
military dictatorship.
Yet many Americans resident here told
members Of the Knox party that no other
government is possible. and that Cabrera's
absolutism was better than ceaseless revo-
buttons, that the United States could not
hope to do moro with Cabrera than awe
him into being reasonably good" and so
protect the neGhboring governments from
enCroaChment.