Evening star., 1948-04-28
Guatemala RevoItPIot,
Nicaragua War Fears
Stir Central America
BY the kssoeioied Press

(. MEXICO CITY, April 28.-
Three Central American repub-
lies were reported beset by trou-
BILE today.
Travellers from Guatemala said a
plot to overthrow the government of
President Juan Jose Arevalo has
been discovered
A reliable source said Gen.
AnaStaSio Somoza, Nicaragua's war
minister, is arming the country to
repulse an invasion by water.
1t was reported from Costa Rica
that Nicaraguan troops still are
fighting soldiers of Rebel Chief Jose
Figueres' army Of liberation"
Plot Discovered Friday.
The travellers from Guatemala
said revolutionary plot was dis
covered Friday and that a dead-or-
alive order had been issued for the
arrest Of the man believed behind it.
He was identified here as Miguel
Mendoza, former police chief and
former defense minister in the
Arevalo government. Seventy men
repeatedly went to arrest him at
his home but he was gone. Friends
said he is hiding.
Eight persons were arrested, one
of them repeatedly an army colonel
picked up by policemen patrolling
in one Of Guatemala's new radio
cars.
Persons who know the Guatemalan
political situation say Mendoza is
the leading contender for the presi-
dency If the Arevalo government
falls.
The plot report put a damper on
Guatemala's plans for a May Day
celebration. Police, fearing trouble
have decreed only city workers can
march. Last year thousands tramped
through the streets.
Guatemalans who depend on the
daily papers for their information
heard nothing of the reported re-
volt plan. Travellers here said strict
censorship was imposed by the gov
ernment, and that officials refused
to comment. They said many lit
terry businessmen have sent their
families out Of the country.
SOmoza Expects Attack.
The report from Nicaragua said
Gen. Somoza is expecting an attack
from neighboring Costa Rica, where
rebel forces under Mr.. Figueres have
crushed the government of Presi-
dent Teodor Picado MichalSki.
Nicaraguan troops were reported
fighting for the Costa Rican govern
ment early in the revolt. Later
they were said to have been pulled
back home, but reports of their
presence in Costa Rica continued
to crop up.
An informed Mexico City source
said Gen. Somoza is concentrating
on strengthening Nicaragua's south
ern frontier and seeks national ap-
proval to send troops ito drive the
Communists out of Costa Rica."
Although some Communists in
Costa Rica have been disarmed,
Manuel Mora, member of congress
and head of the Vanguardia Popu-
lar formerly Communist party
was allowed to stay in San Jose.
President Picado and Rafael CAL
deron Guardia, government-bac
defeated presidential candidate, were
eXiled.
Costa Rica Firing Continues.
In San Jose. Costa Rica's capi-
tai, the city prepared a big victory
demonstration for Mr.. Figueres,
amid reports that rifle fire stu
echoed in the northern hills.
Col Miguel Ramirez, Mr.. Figueres'
chief OF staff, said withdrawing
Nicaraguans and some who stub
bornly refused to surrender, were
still fighting near Liberia. Liberia is
about two hours by highway from
the Nicaraguan border in Northeast
ern Costa Rica.
But while shutters came down in
San Jose and the people were de-
scribed as "delirious with joy," all
was reported not we'll politically.
A traveller from San Jose said Mr..
FiguereS and Otilio Ulate Blanco,
whom Mr. Figueres backed for pres
ident, had split. This traveller said
GOODNESS had developed when Mr..
Figueres suggested a military junta
govern the country after May 8. Mr..
Ulate, whose election as president
was annulled, thus touching off the
revolution early in March, repeatedly
wants m take ofFce