The Kansas City sun. (Kansas City, Mo.) 1908-1924, 1914-03-21

DSllS, as IL Ieu LnOuSdUu hlO
alarms had been set off at
once. There was nothing un
usual in this, for 1t was only the
sounding of the 6 o'clock mass from
the cathedral across the plaza; but
while 1 was still rubbing my sleepy
eyes, the terrific explosion Of a bomb
nearly lifted me from the bed, writes
F. F. Soaring in the New York Even
ing Post, under a San Salvador date.
Thinking that a new revolution had
broken out, l hastily scrambled into
my clothes, when the strains of the
national anthem smote my ears. Won
dering why national anthems are al
ways made impossible tunes that no
one can sing, 1 fell into a mental argu-
ment with myself as to why Dixie
but another bomb exploding cut 1t
short.
1t was only the anniversary Of the
death of the great Central American
patriot, General Barrios.
"And they killed him for thanks"
said the fat Dutch proprietor Of the
hotel.
ludI was qulIo COLclobShS ~
piled, "even Salvador does not have a
monopoly of that particular virtue. 1
know of other countries-it seems to
me l recall one Dewitt of Holland, in
times gone by?"
l found much excitement in the
plaza, after / had escaped the wrath
of the Dutchman. Around the beauti-
full equestrian statue of General Bar
rios, in the center, were gathered a
company of veterans. The scene re-
minded me of a Grand Army reunion
in the United States. Stacked arms
filled the walks, and griZzled veterans
sat about on the benches talking OF
old times. They wore uniforms OF
blue, trimmed with red. Libertad o
Muerta (Liberty or DEATH was the
inscription on the broad ribbons en-
twined about their straw hats. At the
corners of the pedestal of the statue,
four of the old fellows mounted guard
at the sound of the trumpet. Some
had shoes; others were in their bare
feet. Each hour they were relieved
by others, for the ceremonies con-
tinued the entire day from sunrise to
sunset.
Barrios it was that united Central
America; but he was shot in the city
Of San Salvador in 1868, and the I'M
ion separated.
Rain That Is Really Rain.
Never had l seen it rain until l
came to Salvador. The other evening
we called upon a friend about a block
and a half from the hotel; while there
the rains descended and the foods
came. In a few minutes the street
was a river from curb to curb, at least
two feet deep. The rain stopped; but
the waters from the mountains that
surround the city now filled the
streets, and we were prisoners, unable
to reach the hotel across the way.
BY and by a curious contrivance.
consisting of a long board with wheels
on one end, was pushed into place,
and we crossed dryshod. l noticed
that on every crossing these rescuing
vehicles had m~ysteriously appeared.
1 had a very pleasant interview with
the new president, Senior Melendez. at
his private residence. It took place
in the same room where, last Deem
Der, 1 visited the then president, Senior
Araujo. 1t produced quite a sensation
to sit on the same chair and
with his successor, and l recalled his
violent death. which took place in the
Plaza Bolivar in February last. 1t was
curious to note hat wires had been
tied about all of the s~tatuary in the
room, and everything else that could
topple over, on account of the earth
quakes. This city has been destroyed
once or twice by the earthquakes, for
they continually occur.
The whole country is volcanic. and
Izalco, which is seen on approaching
the port Of Acajutla, is constantly &C