Democratic Sentinel, Volume 18, Number 8, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 9 March 1894 — PEACE IN HONDURAS. [ARTICLE]

PEACE IN HONDURAS.

President Vasquez Seeks an Asylum in Salvador. Tlje prospects of peace in Central America have not been so bright for nearly three years as they are now. This is because Vasguez, the President of Honduras, has sought safety inflight, and the leader of the rebels, Policarpo Bonilla, will soon be elected in his stead. It is about three years since Bogran's term of office expired as President of Honduras. Not being eligible to re election, he managed to secure the election of Ponciana Leiva, a subservient tool. The candidate of the ant -administration party was Eonil a, who claimed that Leiva’s election was unconstitutional and unfair, and a:, once began to sow the seeds of revolution. Bogran died, but Leiva was inaugurated. Gen. Doming) Vasquez became lii chief friend and advi-er and the head of his cabinet. Leiva finally became frightened at Jhe proportions the insurrection had assumed, and turned the Presilency over to Vasquez. Vasquez was not popular, but he conducted a vigorous campaign against Bonilla, so that the latter was finally driven out of the country into Nicai agua. Peace followed for a time, although Bonilla was quietly nursing his wrath and preparing for future operations. Conspirators against Vasquez were executed every now and then hy order of the President and an outbreak was almost constantly expected. In the meantime Bonilla was collecting other exiles, and biding his time for the invasion of Honduras. Vasquez protested to the Nicaraguan Government against its hat boriug of such an expedition. The controversy ended finally in war. Last December the Nicaraguans together with a number of Honduran malcontents, under the leadership of Bonilla, invaded Honduras. Vasquez resisted as well as he was able, but was finally penned up with the remnant of his forces in the cadital. The city was besieged, until Tegucigalpa was surrendered to the rebel. It was predicted that Vasquez would be shot. It appears, however, that he has sought an asylum in Salvador. President Ezeta of that country will recognize Bonilla as the ruler of Honduras, and at the elections soon to follow Bonilla will undoubtedly be chcsen President, and will grant amnesty to all who participated in the conflict. In the long siege the allied armies lost only two generals, seven colonels and 200 privates. When peace is firmly established the Nicaraguan army with its leader, Gen. Ortez, will return to their own country. Vasquez was at La Union when last heard from, hut will probably be taken into the interior for greater safety.