[XIX-44] The govt was vested in three distinct powers: legislative in two chambers; executive in a president for four years; and judicial in a supreme court.
[XIX-45] He constituted his cabinet with the following ministers: Salvador Gallegos, of foreign affairs; Domingo Lopez, interior; Pedro Melendez, treasury and navy; Asun. Mora, war and public works; Luciano Hernandez, education; and Antonio J. Castro, justice. Guat., Mem. Sec. Rel. Exter., 1884, p. 6; Costa R., Mem. Sec. Rel. Exter., 1884, 5-6; Pan. Star and Herald, Jan. 16, Feb. 23, 26, 1884.
[XIX-46] He visited the U. S. and France, being received with the honors due his rank as chief magistrate of a friendly nation. La Estrella de Pan., Aug. 14, Sept. 11, 1884; El Guatemalteco, Apr. 29, 1884.
[XIX-47] Proclamations and manifestoes of Pres. Zaldívar and the assembly of Salv., March 14, 15, 17, 1885. Costa R., Boletin Ofic., March 21, April 1, 1885; La Estrella de Pan., March 28, 1885.
[XIX-48] The Salv. official reports claimed victories at Coco and San Lorenzo. The attack against the latter was made at 10 p. m. of the 31st, and repulsed. Repeated the next day from 5 a. m. to 3 p. m.; the assailants were driven back by Gen. Monterosa. Costa R., Boletin Ofic., April 2, 1885.
[XIX-49] According to a Guat. account, an error was committed in not bombarding the Salv. stronghold, Casa Blanca. Barrios at 8 a. m. of the 2d led the assault on the N. E. side of the fortification with the Jiron brigade of Jalapas, which on that day behaved cowardly. Shortly after the assault, a little past 9, Barrios was mortally wounded, and forthwith removed. The Jalapas gave way, divulging to other troops the death of the president. Thus it came to pass that the first who saw Barrios fall were the first to take to flight, followed by men of several other brigades. To avert a disaster, the troops operating on the N. side were recalled. The firing ceased on both sides at 4:30, and the retreat to the Magdalena began at 6:30, the Salvadorans not pursuing. The same authority claimed that if the firing had been kept up an hour longer, the Guatemalans would have won the day, several bodies of troops having abandoned the town, and the supply of ammunition in the place being already scanty. He asserts that the Guat. loss in all the fights was in killed, besides the president, and his son Gen. Venancio Barrios, colonels A. Jiron, V. Bonilla Cruz, Urbano Sanchez, Major Gonzalez, a few other officers, and 200 rank and file. Campaña de la Union Cent. Am., in La Estrella de Pan., May 30, 1885.
[XIX-50] Further details may be seen in Zaldívar, Mensaje, May 4, 1885; Costa R., Informe Sec. Rel. Exter., 1885, 1-4; Id., Boletin Ofic., Apr. 5, 1885; La Estrella de Pan., Apr. 4, May 2, 9, 1885; Pan. Star and Herald, Apr. 10, 24, 27, 1885; S. F. Cronista, Apr. 4, 11, 15, 25, May 2, 1885; Mex., Diario Ofic., Apr. 4, 1885; Id., Monitor Rel., June 20, 1885; Id., La Prensa, supl. no. 162.
[XIX-51] The gov. of Salv. proclaimed peace on the 15th of April, and granted a full amnesty to all who took part in the war against Salv., and generally to all in exile for political offences.
[XIX-52] Though the gov. had made common cause with Barrios, it manifested a disposition to cut loose from the alliance after the late events.
[XIX-53] Costa R., Gaceta, May 19, June 24, 1885. Zaldívar well knew that there was a powerful opposition to him.