DEMOCRATIC INSTITUTIONS IN SALVADOR.
1865-1885.
RULE OF PRESIDENT DUEÑAS—HIS CONSERVATISM—QUARREL WITH
HONDURAS—THE LATTER ALLIED WITH SALVADORAN LIBERALS—BATTLE
OF SANTA ANA—DUEÑAS DEPOSED—HIS IMPEACHMENT, RELEASE,
AND TEMPORARY EXILE—SANTIAGO GONZALEZ PROVISIONAL
PRESIDENT—GONZALEZ ELECTED CHIEF MAGISTRATE—GUATEMALA AND
SALVADOR AT WAR WITH HONDURAS—MURDER OF VICE-PRESIDENT
MENDEZ—EARTHQUAKES—PRESIDENT VALLE—TROUBLE WITH
GUATEMALA—EXEUNT VALLE AND GONZALEZ—ZALDÍVAR'S LONG
RULE—CONSTITUTIONAL CHANGES—ALLIANCE WITH NICARAGUA AND
COSTA RICA—RESISTANCE TO BARRIOS' PLAN OF CONQUEST—SALVADOR
VICTORIOUS—RESTORED PEACE—ZALDÍVAR ELIMINATED—REVOLUTION—F.
MENENDEZ MADE PRESIDENT.
[Sidenote: PRESIDENT DUEÑAS.]
Francisco Dueñas, called to preside over the destinies of Salvador in
1865, by the grace of President Carrera of Guatemala, was a member of
the legal profession, and had already figured in public affairs. He
was from early youth destined for the cloister, and in due time took
the vows as a Dominican. But being of an ardent temperament, he came
after a while to think himself adapted for a political leader rather
than to serve God under a monk's habit.[XIX-1] He accordingly entered
the political field, and soon attained prominence. In 1845 he was a
minister of state, and had previously been a deputy to the federal
congress, wherein for lack of eloquence he made no display; but in
committees and private conversations with his colleagues, he often
managed to have his ideas accepted. He was one of the deputies who
voted against the fatal decree leaving the states free to constitute
themselves. He was then a friend of Central American nationality, and
often defended it almost as warmly as Barrundia. Pretending to follow
public opinion, he was affiliated with the liberals. But his chief
aim was even then the furtherance of his own political advancement.
Thus we see him join the oligarchic clique, and ally himself with
Carrera of Guatemala, from which time he discountenanced every attempt
to restore true democracy. The republic became one in name only, for
his government was personal and absolute.[XIX-2] With the aid of the
oligarchs he managed to sustain himself for years, the country enjoying
peace and material prosperity, for which, as well as for his not
neglecting public education, he should have some credit.[XIX-3]
In December 1868, he was elected president for the next term, and
public affairs continued in a nominal condition for some time, the most
friendly relations being maintained with foreign powers, and specially
with the other Central American states. But in the latter part of
1870 serious differences occurred with the government of Honduras, the
latter imputing to Salvador marked favors to Honduran and Nicaraguan
refugees, who were constantly plotting to overthrow the administration
of President Medina. At last the Honduran government accredited
two commissioners, namely Céleo Arias, and Teodoro Aguiluz, in San
Salvador, with the view of settling those differences, if possible,
in a friendly manner. Salvador on her part named Rafael Zaldívar her
commissioner to treat with them, and their conferences began on the
16th of January, 1871, but they led to no satisfactory result.[XIX-4]
At the fourth and last conference, on the 21st of January, the Honduran
commissioners, after protesting against Salvador's course in rejecting
their demands, proposed as a last resort to preserve friendship—in
view of the fact that all hope of arriving at an understanding had
disappeared, as confidence between the two governments no longer
existed—that the legislatures of both states should be convoked to
meet on the 12th of March, and the two presidents, Medina and Dueñas,
resign their offices. After which elections for chief magistrates
should be held, with the express condition that during those elections
both Medina and Dueñas should reside out of their countries. Four
days having elapsed without any answer having been returned to that
proposition, the Honduran commissioners on the 25th renewed their
protest, declared the conferences closed, and demanded their passports.
However, after this, Zaldívar signified to them an acceptance of the
proposal concerning the resignation. This inspired some hope that
peace might yet be consolidated. But it proved to be a vain hope; for
the government of Honduras on the 7th of February suspended all treaty
stipulations between the two republics, and Salvador despatched in the
same month a body of troops to invade her neighbor's territory;[XIX-5]
in consequence of which President Medina on the 5th of March declared
war against Salvador, or rather against Dueñas' government.[XIX-6]
[Sidenote: HOSTILITIES WITH HONDURAS.]
The liberal party took advantage of the situation to adopt active
measures for the overthrow of despotism, and the restoration of
democratic principles. General Santiago Gonzalez, who had been called
to head a movement, made an address to the people, which produced a
great excitement. Dueñas tried to strengthen himself by means of a
so-called plebiscite, but this only served to show that a revolution
was impending. Gonzalez applied for aid to the government of
Honduras,[XIX-7] which, being then on the point of waging war against
Dueñas, was prevailed on to place under command of that officer the
forces he had organized to invade Salvador through Sensuntepeque.
With his Salvadorans and Honduran allies Gonzalez made himself master
of the departments of Santa Ana and Sonsonate,[XIX-8] from which he
could procure abundant supplies. The government forces, which had been
kept in suspense, not knowing which would be the invaders' objective
point, attacked them at Santa Ana, and after four days' hard fighting,
though much superior in numbers, were utterly routed on the 10th of
April, with heavy casualties; the main army was put to flight, and the
reserve forsook their standard.[XIX-9] Gonzalez was then proclaimed
provisional president, and Dueñas' government collapsed, he, together
with Tomás Martinez, ex-president of Nicaragua, who commanded in chief
the government's army, and others, seeking a place of safety in the
United States legation, then in charge of General A. T. A. Torbert,
minister resident. The next day Gonzalez and his army marched into
the capital amid the most enthusiastic acclamations. His first step
was to protect the person of Dueñas against possible violence from his
exasperated enemies, among whom were the friends of the never-forgotten
Gerardo Barrios, whom Dueñas had caused to be shot in cold blood, and
to obtain his surrender that he might answer before the nation for his
alleged illegal acts.[XIX-10] Both Dueñas and Martinez were surrendered
to the provisional government on its giving a pledge that their lives
would not be imperilled. The surrender of Dueñas was made on the 20th
of April, with his own acquiescence; he was then transferred as a state
prisoner to the military school building.[XIX-11] Martinez was released
and permitted to leave the republic.[XIX-12]
Ex-president Dueñas was, on the 13th of April, 1872, declared by
the senate legally deposed, and amenable to the laws for acts of
usurpation. Murders, among which was reckoned the execution of
Ex-president Barrios, unjustifiable executions, and imprisonments of
citizens, incendiarism, misappropriation of public moneys, and other
misdemeanors. It was further ordered that the accused should be turned
over to the jurisdiction of the courts for trial, pursuant to article
71 of the constitution.[XIX-13] In July of the same year, while the
constitution was in suspense, during a temporary internal disturbance,
the supreme court set him at liberty, which caused much agitation in
Salvador. He left the country after giving bonds in $100,000 that he
would not land in any port of Central America. He went to and remained
in Europe some time, then returned to America, residing a while in
New York, and afterward in San Francisco, California. Subsequently he
was permitted free access to his country, and was treated with high
consideration both in Salvador and Guatemala.
* * * * *
[Sidenote: NEW CONSTITUTION.]
The constituent assembly, which had been convoked by the provisional
government, was installed July 28, 1871, and began its labors on the
31st, when the provisional president gave an account of his official
acts, all of which were legalized at once.[XIX-14] The following
persons were, in the order named, designated to take charge of the
executive, provisionally, in the event of disability of Gonzalez;
namely, Rafael Campo, Manuel Gallardo, and Cruz Ulloa.
On the 16th of October, the assembly adopted a new fundamental law
in twelve titles, which may be said to have been in perfect accord
with democratic principles.[XIX-15] This constitution was amended
on the 9th of November, 1872, in a few particulars by a constituent
assembly, the presidential term being made of four years instead of
two. He could neither be reëlected for the next immediate term, nor
act as president even a single day beyond the time for which he was
chosen.[XIX-16] This same assembly in 1872 enacted several secondary
laws of importance, to wit: on freedom of the press; trial by jury in
criminal and libel cases; use of martial law; elections by universal
suffrage; public instruction; codification of the laws in force since
1821; and appropriation of private property for great public uses.
The presidential election under the new charter of 1871 resulted in
Gonzalez, the provisional president, being chosen the constitutional
chief magistrate, his term to begin on the 1st of February the
following year. The amendment to the constitution of November 9, 1872,
extended it to February 1, 1876.
[Sidenote: CALAMITOUS TIMES.]
The political relations of the governments of Salvador and Guatemala
with Honduras had, early in 1872, become so unfriendly that a war was
unavoidable. Salvadoran and Guatemala forces invaded Honduras, and were
successful in their operations, the details of which will be given in
connection with the history of the latter country.[XIX-17] President
Gonzalez and his victorious army on their return to San Salvador in
June received an ovation. Subsequent events demanded the despatch of
more troops to Honduras, which, together with Guatemala's, completed
the work of the first campaign. The government also felt compelled
to exile a number of persons who were manifestly conspiring for the
destruction of the liberal régime.[XIX-18] The ministers addressed
an exposé to the constituent congress, which had been in session
since September 27th, reviewing the policy of the administration, and
submitting for its sanction the late war measures, at variance with the
constitution. All the acts of the president were subsequently approved
by congress.[XIX-19]
The only other event of 1872 worthy of mention was the murder of the
vice-president, Manuel Mendez, on the night of the 1st of September,
in the public street,[XIX-20] by a man named Juan Melendez. At first
it was supposed that the act might have been prompted by other motives
than personal revenge; the latter proved, however, to be the real
cause. The assassin fled into Honduras, but was finally discovered and
surrendered to Salvador, where he was tried and executed.[XIX-21]
The year 1873 in its first part was a calamitous one for Salvador.
A series of earthquakes caused destruction in many places, specially
on the 19th of March, ruining the capital for the eighth time in its
history. The national congress, after approving the government's acts
to the date of closing its session, left the country to devote its
best energies in repairing the havoc of that catastrophe. The rest of
the year and 1874 formed, indeed, a period not only of restoration
but of marked progress in every respect. National industries went
on developing, public instruction, under the fostering care of the
authorities, was constantly being spread among the masses, and the
financial condition had become much improved. Peace reigned at home,
and the relations with foreign powers were on an amicable footing;
cordiality seemed to preside over those with the other Central American
states. The future, at the inception of 1875, promised concord and
good-will as well as undisturbed progressiveness.[XIX-22] But these
expectations were not realized. The public peace was disturbed on two
occasions; the first, by the Indians of Dolores Izalco, who, because
of a dispute with the authorities anent their community lands, rose in
arms, and on March 14th assaulted the garrison of the city of Izalco,
to be repulsed with considerable loss. Their head men were arrested and
imprisoned some months, until, promising good behavior in the future,
they were released.[XIX-23] The other affair was a more serious one,
calling for energetic action on the part of the military power. An
armed mob of reactionists and religious fanatics, led by one Tinoco and
a clergyman named José Manuel Palacios, on the 20th of June, fell upon
the city of San Miguel, slaying the small garrison, together with the
comandante general, Felipe Espinosa, and several citizens, sacking the
business houses, and burning down a portion of the town. Such deeds of
blood, robbery, and incendiarism as those of the 20th to the 24th had
seldom been witnessed in Central America. Troops arrived from La Union,
and the Honduran port of Amapala, on the 24th, and the malefactors
fled, but not before about thirty of their number, including Father
Palacios, were taken prisoners. A considerable part of the stolen goods
was recovered. Reënforcements followed, and the department was secured
from further molestation. President Gonzalez was at San Miguel on the
27th.[XIX-24]
On the other hand, a sanguinary and disastrous war with Guatemala
caused an entire change in the administration.
The general assembly had, on the 1st of March, convoked the people to
elect on the first Sunday of December a president and vice-president
for the second constitutional term to begin February 1, 1876, and end
February 1, 1880. Andrés Valle was chosen president, and Santiago
Gonzalez, vice-president. The latter offered his resignation, but
the assembly did not accept it. They were inducted into office on
the appointed date. But previous to this, Guatemala having assumed a
menacing attitude, congress decreed that in the event of the president
going to the field at the head of the army, Valle, then a senator,
should act in his stead, pro tempore. On the same date a forced loan of
$500,000 was also ordered to be raised.
[Sidenote: PENDING HOSTILITIES.]
The difficulties arose from a supposed understanding of President
Gonzalez with Guatemalan refugees in Salvador, and the government
of Ponciano Leiva in Honduras, with the ulterior object of bringing
about the downfall of Barrios. The latter alleged also that Gonzalez
intended to uphold with his forces the government of Leiva, which,
according to him, was entirely unpopular, because of its subserviency
to Salvador. This intervention was deemed not only an attack against
Honduran autonomy, but a menace to Guatemala. Gonzalez was notified
that if he persisted in that course, Guatemala would then interfere
in favor of General Medina, who was then trying to overthrow Leiva.
The result of this attitude was a renewed assurance by Gonzalez of
friendly feeling, and a proposition to hold a verbal conference on
Honduran affairs, which Barrios accepted, and such a conference was
held now with President Valle at Chingo, and a convention was signed
on the 15th of February, under which Marco Aurelio Soto, an Honduran
by birth, was to undertake the pacification of his country, backed
by equal forces of Guatemala and Honduras.[XIX-25] Barrios contended
that, though Valle was president, Gonzalez was the real power in
Salvador, whom he accused in a public manifesto of hypocrisy and
treachery. Angry words continued, the two nations being now armed
for the conflict, till they agreed to disband their forces. Both
governments claimed to have done so, imputing to the other a wilful
neglect of its obligation. The probability is, that, distrusting one
another, they merely pretended compliance, keeping their troops ready
for action. Barrios sent 1,500 men into Honduras, and came himself
with a force to threaten Salvador on the west, and actually invaded the
latter without a previous declaration of war. At last, on the 20th of
March, José María Samayoa, minister of war in charge of the executive
of Guatemala, formally declared all official relations with Salvador
at an end, and then again on the 27th, alleging that Salvadoran troops
had invaded Guatemala, decreed the existence of war, giving Barrios
unlimited power to make such uses of this declaration as befitted the
dignity of Guatemala.[XIX-26] The government of Salvador on the 26th of
March decreed the treaty of amity and alliance concluded with Guatemala
January 24, 1872, to be no longer in force.[XIX-27]
[Sidenote: THE WRATH OF BARRIOS.]
Barrios' plan for the campaign was to assail Salvador on the west
direct from Guatemala with an army under his personal command, and
at the same time by a movement from Honduras under General Gregorio
Solares on the eastern departments of San Miguel and La Union.
The Mexican general, Lopez Uraga, adjutant-general of Barrios, was
stationed with a garrison at Jutiapa to guard the army supplies. At
this time the Salvadorans unsuccessfully attacked an isolated position
on the frontier, which roused the ire of Barrios. He then directed
Uraga to move the supplies to Chingo, whence he started himself to
the invasion of Salvador. Solares had not yet been heard from. He had
first of all to get Medina and Leiva out of the way in Honduras. The
Guatemalan president then marched to the Coco hacienda, and hearing
that Chalchuapa was abandoned, occupied it at once. The Salvadorans had
their headquarters at Santa Ana. The armies which were to encounter
each other on the field of battle were the most numerous Central
America had ever seen. Barrios with 8,000 or 9,000 men laid siege of
Ahuachapan. Uraga stationed himself at Chalchuapa with about 1,500, and
Chingo was left with a handful of men.[XIX-28]
The Guatemalans who have occupied Apaneca were driven away, and on
returning thereto encountered the Salvadorans on the 15th of April,
and after a fight lasting from eight in the morning till nightfall,
were routed, and pursued as far as Atiquizaya, sustaining heavy
losses.[XIX-29]
Meantime the belligerent armies in the east were not idle. Solares
after hard fighting from the 17th to the 19th of April won a signal
and decisive victory at Pasaquina over the Salvadorans commanded by
generals Brioso, Delgado, Sanchez, and Espinosa; the results of which
were that he obtained control of the departments of San Miguel and
La Union, menacing those of San Vicente and Usulutan, and even the
official residence of President Valle; thus depriving the government of
large resources, and disheartening the army of Gonzalez in Ahuachapan
and Santa Ana.[XIX-30] After this victory, Solares being reënforced,
the Salvadorans, now reduced to 800 or 900, precipitately retreated
to San Miguel, but by desertions on the march dwindled down to less
than 200. The defence of San Miguel became impossible, and Solares
occupied it, as well as La Union. There being insufficient elements to
defend San Vicente, the government ordered the scattered garrisons to
concentrate at the capital.
[Sidenote: CONVENTION AND TREATY.]
The condition of the army of the west was not much better. There were
in Ahuachapan about 2,600 men, and in Santa Ana hardly 3,500. The
former was greatly decreased by constant fighting during the holy week,
and on the day after easter hardly exceeded 900 demoralized troops.
An unsuccessful attempt was made against Chalchuapa. A few days later
Salvadoran commissioners visited Barrios' headquarters, as he was, it
is averred, on the point of raising the siege of Ahuachapan.[XIX-31]
He then marched to Atiquizaya, and the next day to Chalchuapa, where
the negotiations for peace were held,[XIX-32] which resulted in a
convention, preliminary to a treaty of peace, concluded on the 25th
of April, ratified the next day, and coupled with the condition
sine qua non of a complete change in the personnel of the Salvadoran
government.[XIX-33]
Under the preliminary convention of April 25th, Rafael Zaldívar
was chosen provisional president, and on the 1st of May appointed
his cabinet.[XIX-34] A definitive treaty of peace, friendship,
and alliance, offensive and defensive, was signed at Santa Ana May
8th,[XIX-35] in which Honduras joined on the 27th of May. General
Gonzalez had meantime repaired on board the British war ship _Amethyst_
at La Libertad, transferring himself afterward to the American mail
steamship _Costa Rica_, on which he left Central America.
Pursuant to the 6th clause of the convention of April 25th, the people
were called upon to choose, on the first Sunday of June, a president
and vice-president, as well as representatives to the legislative
assembly, the latter to meet at San Salvador on the 1st of July. This
clause having been duly carried out, the Guatemalan forces withdrew
from Salvador, in accordance with the 7th.[XIX-36] The elections
took place, the national congress being installed July 3d, and Rafael
Zaldívar declared to have been duly chosen constitutional president to
continue the term from February 1, 1876, to February 1, 1880. He was
accordingly inducted into office on the 19th of July.
* * * * *
Rafael Zaldívar had previously served in both houses of congress, in
the cabinet, and filled several diplomatic missions, notably that of
minister plenipotentiary in Berlin.[XIX-37] On his return he became
President Dueñas' right-hand man and supporter. He was president of the
last general assembly at the time of Dueñas' downfall, and considering
his life in danger, he concealed himself, and finally escaped out
of the country.[XIX-38] After this he lived in exile about five
years.[XIX-39]
* * * * *
[Sidenote: CONSTITUTIONAL CONGRESS.]
The new administration had no home or foreign complications to distract
its attention from the usual routine of duties, and progress was
soon noticeable in every branch of industry as well as of the public
service. The executive, on the 3d of April, 1879, called the people to
choose a constituent congress to effect reforms in the constitution
of November 9, 1872. This body was duly installed June 9th, under
the presidency of Teodoro Moreno; but after appointing a committee to
frame a constitution, it adjourned July 2d to meet again between the
1st and 15th of January, 1880. It reassembled on the latter date, and
proceeded to consider the project of a fundamental law laid before it
by that committee. Some amendments were finally adopted on the 19th
of February, and Zaldívar was reëlected president for the ensuing term
from February 1, 1880, to February 1, 1884.
Nothing worthy of special mention occurred till the end of 1882. The
constitutional congress opened its session on the 5th of January,
1883, when the president gave an encouraging account of the political
situation. Peace reigned, and the people were devoted to their
industrial pursuits. The relations with the other nations of the earth
were cordial, Salvador, though a small power, being the recipient of
respect and regard from all others. With Costa Rica the relations,
interrupted since October 1879, were renewed, and with Nicaragua
the most perfect understanding existed. The treaty of alliance with
Guatemala and Honduras was in full force.[XIX-40]
But this happy state of things was not to last. At 2 o'clock in the
morning of April 16th, a body of men armed with rifles, shot-guns,
revolvers, and machetes attacked the garrison at Santa Tecla, crying
Viva la religion! Viva el Doctor Gallardo! Mueran Zaldívar y Barrios!
They were repulsed by the troops commanded by Colonel Matías Castro
Delgado, who captured forty prisoners. The government forces went in
pursuit of the others in the region of the neighboring volcano.[XIX-41]
The insurrectionary movement had ramifications in other towns, namely,
La Libertad, San Salvador, Santa Ana, Ahuachapan, and Sonsonate, where
its authors expected to be seconded. The president at once placed the
departments of San Salvador, La Libertad, and the west under martial
law. This and other prompt measures prevented any further action on the
part of the would-be revolutionists. Quiet having been fully restored,
the decree of martial law was repealed.[XIX-42]
Another change in the constitution was made this year. The executive
called a convention on the 18th of October to meet between the 15th and
20th of December, to revise the charter of February 19, 1880, adapting
the fundamental institutions of the country to its present needs; and
also to take cognizance of other matters which the executive would lay
before it.[XIX-43]
[Sidenote: CHRONIC REVOLUTION.]
A new constitution was adopted soon after, containing all the political
rights recognized in the most liberal instruments of the kind,
guaranteeing also the free exercise of all religions not repugnant to
morality and public order.[XIX-44] President Zaldívar was reëlected
and reinaugurated on the 1st of February, 1884.[XIX-45] But obtaining
leave of absence to visit Europe, where his family had been some time,
he turned over the executive office to the first designado, Angel
Guirola, who was to hold it till his return.[XIX-46] He was again in
San Salvador in August, and resumed his duties.
Another period of trouble is now again impending on Salvador. Elsewhere
I give the particulars of the undertaking of Barrios, president of
Guatemala, to reconstruct Central America as one republic by force
of arms. It is unnecessary to do more than glance at the same here.
On finding a deliberate opposition to his project on the part of the
governments of Salvador, Nicaragua, and Costa Rica, he placed his
army in the field to support any movements in those republics toward
the end he had in view. The people of Salvador responded to the call
of their authorities,[XIX-47] who in a short time had about 1,800
volunteers enrolled, and relied, moreover, on the aid of the other
three governments equally interested in defending their autonomy. About
12,000 men were stationed on the western frontier under the direct
command of President Zaldívar, but no act of hostility was committed,
out of respect for the American minister, who had been mediating, and
obtained from Barrios that he would not invade Salvador if his own
territory were not assailed. But this pledge went for nothing. The
Guatemalans invaded Salvador March 30th, compelling the Salvadorans
who had been fortifying the hacienda del Coco to abandon that position,
though only after severe fighting, and retire into their fortifications
of Chalchuapa.[XIX-48] The latter were assailed by the whole force
of the enemy, but the garrison returned the fire with success, and
gallantly met the desperate onslaught until a signal victory crowned
their well-directed efforts. Barrios, the intrepid leader of the
Guatemalans, lost his life, but this did not put an end to the fight
for several hours yet.[XIX-49] The discomfited assailants began their
retreat to the frontier at six o'clock, or a little later, in the
evening, unpursued.[XIX-50]
[Sidenote: FRANCISCO MENENDEZ.]
With the friendly intervention of the foreign diplomatic corps an
armistice was signed, giving time for negotiations, which culminated in
a treaty of peace with Guatemala, the particulars of which are given
elsewhere.[XIX-51] With Honduras[XIX-52] a treaty was concluded, with
the assent of the three allies, which restored friendly relations.
Zaldívar called congress to hold an extra session, and laid before it,
May 4th, an account of the campaign and its results, and concluded,
asking that body to accept his resignation. This was unanimously
refused; nor was his subsequent request for a year's leave of absence
granted. But on his declaring his intention of taking the unused time
of the leave given him in 1884, that body acceded, and allowed him to
be absent twelve months. On the 14th, he placed the executive authority
in the hands of the second designado, General Fernando Figueroa, his
minister of the treasury, who had the support of Zaldívar's friends;
and on the following day departed for Europe.[XIX-53] An insurrection
had already broken out in the west, promoted by political adversaries,
whose leader was General Francisco Menendez. The government reported
a victory over the insurgents at Armenia the 19th of May, but the
revolution gained ground so rapidly that Menendez, who had been
proclaimed presidente provisorio, made his triumphal entry in San
Salvador on the 22d, midst the acclamations of the populace.[XIX-54]
The revolution was successful, and the new government was afterward
recognized by foreign powers.[XIX-55]
In August, Menendez called on the people to choose a constituent
convention, and preparations were made therefor; but disturbances
having occurred in several places, he prolonged his dictatorship and
redeclared martial law.[XIX-56] Zaldívar was charged with improper uses
of the public funds, and the government refused to recognize a certain
indebtedness incurred in his administration. His property in Salvador
was seized, and an attempt was made by certain persons to lay hands on
some real estate of his in Costa Rica, but they were not permitted to
do so.[XIX-57] Shortly after there was a rupture with Nicaragua, which
did not last long, a treaty of peace being signed at Amapala in January
1886.