The San Francisco Call. Newspaper, February 27, 1898, Page 17

AN FRANCISCO, SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 1898. REVOLUTION IN THE AIR: SAN SALVADOR READY FOR IT “I expect an uprising at any moment, but when they strike they will find me well prepared, for I will not is smoldering alvador, ready to break into sudden fla So qui- d secretly are both eparing r the out- that the etly of the is imminent 4 fessional revolutionist is in this city purchasi on for the is not onal am- of doubt the man engaged in this although 1 had been d his trade by one 1t members of the short and stout, “with 1 hair in odd contrast blue eyes; just the would label “doctor, ’ but never ‘‘chief,” Hegreeted mein broken Anus ve token Mt ris grandmother that I instincts,” he ex- und him skin )t counted business interests ial in the make-up of a profes- 1l revolutionist, but then nearly rything said upset my precon- ions of a “revolutionist.” m?” he began, when ques- y-dear senorita, I assure onorable gentleman that as w there is not the slightest olution in my country.” I said, struggling to 11 1 knew about his secret mis- should President Gutierrez write iis statement?” And I proceeded to read him an extract from the letter, “Ah, T see you are well informed, so I will not deny that there may be a revolution.” The fact that he had given his word to the ¢ rary but a moment before did not seem to trouble him in the slightest “And you are here,” I continued, enjoy his look of ammunition for s a bit surprised, but e in point blank anger. 1. But before I could olution to run for the r recovered himself, :d me that he was . “But,” he added, ‘T have heard that there gentleman here on such a business ou are pleased to mention.” ntleman when he has purchased the ammunition will he go back to fight in the revolution?” I queried. “He will go back to Salvador as- suredly, but he will not take an ac- tive part in the revolution.” “I should think if he were heart and soul in the cause he would wish to fight.” “My dear senorita, his duty 1s to at- ténd to the business part of the affair. Besides he might t killed, and that would prevent his being of any use in the next revolution. Of course he Is always taking great risks because if the other side once get Ssuspicious of his real business they would kill him. They would what you call assassinate him.” 5 - “What are his reasons for allying himself with the revolutionists?” “It's a matter of business. A mer- chant sells his goods to the highest bidder. This man manages the busi- ness detalls of a revolution for the side that pays him best.” “How long has he been in this busi- ness?” suavely here for his ¥ with an ahem i submit to being forcibly ejected.” EXTRACT FROM A TRECENT LETTER WRITTEN BY PRESIDENT GUTIERREZ. “SANTA MARIA! WHAT SORT OF A MAN IS THIS PRESIDENT? OUT WITH HIM!" THEY SHOUTED. EVEN WHILE THEY SHOUTED THE SOLDIERS AND POLICE BEGAN TO CHARGE THE MOB. ““Oh, he has looked after half a dozen affa some biz and some of no con- sequen “All in Salvador?” 0. This will be the first one in Salvador. It would not do to conduct the business for one country alone. He would become known quickly and so be killed, what you call ssinated.” “And where were the other revolu- tions he was engaged in?" “Oh, Guatemala and the other coun- tries down there.” ““Then you—I mean this revolutionary agent—has no personal feellngs in the matter? He is not personally opposed to President Gutierrez?” “Gutierrez! He is a fool, because he has no business sense. But he is a good fighter. He is too honest for those people down there. No, this agent I speak to you of is not opposed to Gu- tierrez personally. Only, you see, the revolution gives him a chance to make some business for himself. It pays; you understand.” “Who hired this man to come up here and buy ammunition?” The senor smiled with an air that spoke plainer than words: “What a 00C0000000000000000000000000000000000000C0000000000000C0 CO00000C0DO00000000C00000D000000000000 000 * * * | am prepared in case of revolution, and | will make an exam- ple of those who disturb public order. Meanwhile they are heaping upon my head daily all manner of insults through the local press, headed here I shall take strenu- ous measures to suppress these scan- by the students. Even if a revolution does not break out, I fear that the Presidential elec- tion will take alarming proportions. I am fully determined to be neutral in the election—that is to say, | shall not lean toward any candidate. No personal sacrifice will deter me from maintaining public order during the election. ejected. o o o o o o o However, [} for the election, but use force of arms = § to shorten my term. [ Notwithstanding that my enemies § are convinced that I do not crave for o power, that I do not seek re-election ‘g and that | uphold and always shall up- g hold the principle of rotation in office, ¢ o o ° ° o ° ° o © o © o o ) o o o [ FROM PRESIDENT GUITERREZ’ LETTER ON THE APPROACHING REVOLUTION. [ fear they will not wait yet the office-seekers and boodlers are so anxious that they cannot wait until my term naturally expires. For this reason I expect an uprising - at any moment, but when they strike they will find me fully prepared, for I will not submit to being forcefully Right and justice are on my side and they had best beware. * * * 00000O000000Q0000606000000O000000000000000000000000090 gudgeon she must think me!"” Aloud he simply said, “How should I know?"” “‘Oh,” I replied, innocently, “I thought you might have a faint idea. Of course, Yyou couldn’t know positively.” “Well, there are men who want to take Gutierrez's place in the chair of the President, and, perhaps, one of them hired him. Most likely the man who will head the revolution.” Then he went on to tell me that the students were playing the principal roles in stirring up the revolution. They did not realize that Gutierrez was not responsible for the condition of affairs. They are young and hot- blooded and anxious to have their first chance in a revolution. General Gutlerrez should thoroughly understand how to cope with the new revolutionists, for he was leader of the last revolutionary party that suc- ceeded in = overthrowing President Ezeta. Although the presidents of the Central American republics are supposed to be elected every four years by popular vote, the smiall matter of law is over- looked and the President retains the office as long as he sees fit or until some other man is strong enough’ to oust him. The important question is then settled by a revolution, the leader of the winning side taking the Presi- dency and thus saving the people the trouble of casting votes. g General Gutierrez, it is believed, was influenced purely by patriotic motives when he headed the revolution against the Ezetas. It is said they had been using, or rather misusing, their power toward private ends, making conces- sions in return for financial considera- tions, ete. A band of forty men met one night in Santa Anna, elected Rafael Antonio Gutierrez leader, gathered a thoussnd recruits, and stormed the Government stronghold. The Ezetas had heard mut- terings of the coming storm, had pre- pared themselves. and had forced into their army twenty thousand recruits. These men were duly armed and or- dered to Santa Anna. It looked as though General Gutierrez would be powerless to match his little band against such apparently formidabie odds. But it is one thing to lead a horse to water and another thing to make him drink. Of the 20,000 Government re- cruits ordered to Santa Anna not 500 obaved. The men took their arms and drifted off to their various homes. General Gutierrez and his followers easily captured the fort, took posses- sion of the ammunition and made short. work of all opposition. ‘When the Ezetas were ousted it was naturally supposed that Gutierrez would step into the vacant Presiden- tial chair. The victor, however, dis- claimed any wish to be President, much to the surprise of everybody. As far back as the memory of the oldest Central American went there had never been a man who had ever headed a revolution execept to gain power for himself. Gutierrez, the victor,- like Cincine natus of old, wanted to return to his coffee plantation and spend his life in peace and in rural pursuits. At least he sald so. He suggested two of his generals as best fitted to assume the responsibili- ties of the high office. But on all sides the cry went up: “Gutierrez! Gutierrez must be Pres- dent!” It was finally decided that for a year he should be dictator and he accepted the trust. The revolutionists declare it was the old trick of Caesar being of- fered the crown. At any rate to most of his countrymen Gutierrez proved a man of good common sense, thor- oughly just and honest, and brave in battle. But time proved he was not fitted to cope with the baseness and intrigue of the Government depart- ments. At the end of the year of dictator- ship he was proclaimed President ia spite of low mutterings of discontent. At first they wére almost inaudible, but soon they swelled to a chorus that went rumbling up and down the land. Gutierrez discovered that each year swelled the list of his enemies alarm- ingly. At the head of the discontented now are the merchants, especially those who love a President that in- clines for a consideration to wink at smuggling. An honest President means smaller profits for such merchants. Then some of the office-holders at pres- ent are carefully watched to prevent their filling their private pockets with public money. Added to these are the regular starved office-seekers, to whom a change in government Is hailed as a chance for another lease of easy-going life. Of late coffee has been going down Continued on Page Twenty-four.