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Page 5
Mexico still disapproved of the plan, and was not at all pleased that
the Greater Republic of Central America had been formed.
The level-headed men of Central America then suggested that Mexico
should be asked to join the union, and one vast Central American
Republic be formed.
To this President Barrios of Guatemala objected. He is perhaps the most
ambitious man in Central America, and undoubtedly aims to be the
president of the Central American Republic. Were Mexico to become a
part of this great federation, Barrios would have a strong rival in the
beloved President Diaz of Mexico, and so he steadfastly set his face
against union with Mexico.
The friends of solid government were much disappointed at this, and it
is stated on good authority that they then formed a plot, which has
resulted in the present disturbances throughout Central America.
It was decided that as Barrios of Guatemala and Diaz of Mexico were
opposed to the plan, they must both be removed from office as soon as it
could be managed.
According to this story, Barrios was the first to give his enemies the
opportunity they sought.
We have told you that he is a very ambitious man. In Guatemala
presidents are elected for six years, and are not allowed to be
re-elected.
President Barrios is very near the end of his term, and he could not
bear to think that in a few months he would go out of office, and lose
all chance of rising to the heights he wished to attain. He therefore
had himself proclaimed dictator of Guatemala, and announced that he
intended to have a law passed which would allow a president to be
elected for a second term.
This meant of course that he intended to be elected again, and that it
would be another six years before there was any hope of forming the
federation.
The people of Guatemala strongly disapproved of Barrios' action in
making himself a dictator instead of a president. A president is guided
by the wishes of the legislature, and though he has the power to veto,
or forbid the passing of, a law made by congress, that body has also
power to overrule his veto, and pass the laws in spite of him. So you
see the power is pretty equally balanced. Then, too, a president can be
impeached, or called to account, if he neglects the duties which he has
agreed to fulfil.
With a dictator it is very different. He has absolute power in the
government of the state. His word is law, and he is not accountable to
the legislature for his actions.
A dictator is sometimes appointed in times of war or great trouble, but
he should always be a man whom the people love and honor, and to whom
they can entrust this great power.
The reason for appointing a dictator is, that not being accountable to
the legislature for his actions, he is able to do as he thinks best,
without waiting for the long delays that must follow the submission of
plans to congress.
While the people were so opposed to the idea of giving these great
powers to Barrios, it was thought to be a good opportunity to overthrow
him, and so a revolution was begun, with Gen. Prosper Morales at its
head.
This revolution has steadily grown stronger. Most of the important men
in Guatemala have joined it, and success has attended the rebel arms.
They have captured one of the most important towns of the country, and
it seems as if the overthrow of Barrios was assured.
If the rumors of this great plot are true, the revolution in Guatemala
is but the commencement of the great rising which is to end in the
formation of the new republic.
That there is some truth in these rumors is shown by the fact that a
cowardly attempt which was made to kill President Diaz of Mexico, a
short time ago, was found to be connected with the present disturbance
in Guatemala.
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