The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1922-03-19

lessly wandering the stre<ts. II
was q common sight 1t first TO Sic
q policeman intoxicated from na-
tive rum. dischargfng his -ifle In
the air, and terrorizing the citi-
,sens. Instead Of being h protec-
ton the police were q menace.
This condition was remsdisd ~
rapidly as possible. necsssitatinq
the discharge Of nearly tbs entire
force. replacing them with what.
ever material could b had. The
new personnel proved to b the
same caiiber In about 80 per cent
Of cases. Contracts were given
out for new uniforms from kahii
found in the government store
house. the President having to
intervene with the Secretary Of
War TO turn It over to tho police.
In conjunction with the police
school and the worry and trouble
with the force at the capitol all
other police forces In the republic
had to b directed by telegraph.
I was unable to straightsn out
matters by . flying trip in auto
on the south coast where sood
roads were provided. or by . ssv-
erai day trip by mule back whore
there were no roads. With hard
ly any assistance worth speaking
Of from the Hondurian aides, the
work was well nigh impossible Of
accomplishment. One Of the off,
ciais with natural ability began
to bring the needed reforms in
his precinct. He mot with de-
termined opposition and persist
ing In his purpose was assassi-
mated by two of his own men In
the streets Of his town, the Do
lice using their rifles for the
death shots.
During the month Of March q
noticeable change was apparent in
the department and II began to
look a. though order could be
brought out Of chaos, but that re-
manned to be seen. One Of the
National holidays Of Honduras 10
the ssmana Santa or Easter week.
the festivities lasting from five
to seven days, all government de-
partments cloaing and people com
ing into the city from the sur
rounding country. The PROFESSIONS
held assume rather largo proper.
cause great confusion. The youths
of the town take this occasion
to engage in merriment by throw
ing flour, mixed with water land
in some cases powdered hme) on
the marchers.
Latin Americans being Of
quick tempered dispositions.
many fights occur and quite q
few casualties. II was decided
that this would not occur this
year II 1t was possible to prevent
it.
ARTIILERYMEN ATTACK. ..
Orders were issued to mass the
police along the line Of march
and to arrest anyone causing dis
order. A number Of arrests were
made and after the youths saw
that the police meant to enforce
the law, they desisted from dis
order with threats that they
would get even" with the police.
On the day of the last process
sion 1t was noticed that q large
number Of the members Of an ar
tillery company stationed in the.
capitol were In civilian clothes.
Word was brought to police head
quarters that the artillery was
going to attack the police as they
had done in years previous. A
request was sent to the COM
mander of the artillery company
to cancel leave, with the informa-
ton that the same thing would
be done with the police forces OF
the city. 1t was later learned
that the request on the military
authorities was ignored.
After the last procession had
been held and the police dismissed
with instructions to the officers 10
see that the order In regard to no
liberty" should be strictly enforce'.
they were marched to the l'olice
barracks and q guard placed OIL
the entrance to the barracks. tn.
ruffians who took part In the up.
rising seemed to think tina. this
was the opportune time to strike
their blow. Word was brought 10
me at the International Club that
the artillery had begun to ATTACH.
On proceeding towards the oliee
barracks and arriving at an inter
section Of two streets I noticed "a
policeman running with his rifle
In his hands. On arriving at the
corner Il was seen that he WIS oe-
ing pursued by a mob Of severh'