The Washington herald., 1921-09-18
Movement Said to Have
Been Politically
Inspired. .
ARE
BELIEVED hackers
Reign of Terror Laid to
Them Involves Mis-
siOnaries.

Guatemala, while celebrating its
independence anniversary, is on the
verge of revolution, said to be in
sugated by politicians of the Con-
serVative group, who are accused
OF starting a reign of terror.
American missionaries have been
assaulted and driven to the Amer
lean legation for protection, accord
ing to official information that has
reached Washington from Guate-
mala.
Serious disorders are reported
throughout the country. and grave
danger of a situation similar to that
existing in Southern Mexico during
the Zapata regime Is feared, due to
indian uprisings, inspired, it Is
claimed, by politicians of the Con-
servauve group, headed by NJ. Gar
cia Salas. Emil Escamilla Hegel. q
German ex-soldier: Eduardo Cana
cho, Spaniard; Jose Azmitia and
others
Promised Division of Land.
These are said to have been hold
ing meetings with Indians in dir-
ferent parts Of the country, advisipg
them that il they revolted and
killed the leaders of the Liberal
party in their vicinity the haciendas
and estates on which they were en-
ployed would be divided among
them They were also promised
immunity from prosecution in the
event they carried out the reign Of
terror. 1t is said.
AS 4 result, the Indians of San
Lucas Sacatepequez conspired to-
gether to murder all the Liberals in
the vicinity of Antigua, in whicn.
II is said. they were to be protect
ed by Edmundo Guerrero, Conserva-
tive Mayor of that city. The up
rising was scheduled for September
Is. but the plot was discovered by
one of the intended victims, who
notified the others, thus enabling
them to take precautions. In Chiqui-
mula similar situation has arisen.
and many CT the whites have sough.
refuge in Guatemala City.
Minister'S brother Involved,
A few days ago the Indians at San
Agustin Acssaguastlan murdered
the military Commander, Col. Leon
ardo, and two of his men. and at
tackled the town. The telegraph op-
orator on duty tried to notify the
capital, but the wires had been cut.
The Indians Overpowered the small
garrison and seized their arms.
With the arrival OF troops from
the city Of Zacapa they fed. leav-
ing behind letters signed by c. BIZ
anchl, brother of the minister or
Guatemala in Washington, and
other leading members of the Con-
servative party. The bodies CT Col.
Leonardo and his men were found
terribly mutilated. Another we'll
known Liberal, Col. Bustamente,
was murdered at the same time
while seeking to save his three
young children.
A group Of American mission
aries in the department of Escuintla
we're assaulted by a group of In
dians on the night of August 2S
while holding religious services at
the residence of one of their num-
ber. The trouble started with the
arrival Of a group of men who be-
gan shouting. throwing stones and
explosives into the house. seriously
injuring several of the occupants.
One of the Americans asked the
leading Indian why they were COM
hitting these atrocities, and was
answered that if the American
evangelists wished to hold their re-
liCious services they should go to
the woods to do so.
Appeal to U. 8. Legation.
few days later the Indians re-
turned, repeating the assault and
attempting to fire the house. the
authorities taking no steps to afford
protection. According to one of the
missionaries, it was learned that
the assailants were acting under
orders of the Conservative party,
through the mayor of the town. B.
Coronado Rodriguez. As the con-
stitution of Guatemala especially
allows religious freedom, the Amer
leans have appealed to the American
Legation for protection.
In Guatemala City the situation
is very tense. and the Conservative
leaders are threatening to oust
President Herrera if the latter re-
fuses their demand for control of
the cabinet. Any violence on the
part of the Conservatives. however
will he checked with force by Gen.
Rodolfo Mendoza. the new minister
of war. Practically the entire army
sympathizes with the Liberals, it is
said, and If a conflict ensues, a gov
SOhlTOIleu IndC party is
expected to be established.
Former President Manuel Estrada
Cabrera continues in prison, despite
the promise of Senor Luis Pomposo
Aguirre, minister of foreign rela-
tions, to Senator Moses and to Sec
retary Hughes last March that he
would be released September Is, the
day of the independence anniver-
sary.