[XXII-40] Soto, Mensaje, May 27, 1877; Salv., Gaceta Ofic., June 22, 1877.
[XXII-41] The order for their trial was issued by the comandante general of the republic Dec. 12th, the executive having first, on the 10th, asked the advice of the supreme court of justice, which was given on the next day. The crimes preferred against the prisoners were conspiracy, instigation to rebellion, high treason, and concealment of government arms. The officers forming the court-martial were Gen. Emilio Delgado, president, generals Eusebio Toro and Luis Bogran, colonels Inocente Solís, Belisario Villela, Manuel Bonilla, Antonio Cerro; auditor de guerra, Justo Cáliz; prosecuting officer, Gen. Agustin Aguilar. Salv., Diario Ofic., suppl., Feb. 28, 1878; Voz de Méx., July 17, 1878.
[XXII-42] U. S. Minister Geo. Williamson, in reporting these executions to his gov., Feb. 16, 1878, uses these words: 'Medina's lack of wisdom in yielding to the selection (as president) of a man who from the dictates of a cowardly or cruel policy thought it necessary to select so illustrious a victim as himself, has led to this deplorable event.... It is said neither the victims nor any one else believed the sentence of the council of war would be either approved or executed.' U. S. Gov. Doc., H. Ex. Doc., Cong. 45, Sess. 3, i. 79-80. It has been said that the execution of Medina, now aged and infirm, was in obedience to orders from Barrios. Un Guatemalteco, Cartas, 25.
[XXII-43] Had generals Juan Lopez and J. A. Medina carried out the order to the letter, every inhabitant of Olancho would have been annihilated. As it was, 200 men were shot and 500 hanged, all without trial. El Porvenir de Nic., Nov. 26, 1871.
[XXII-44] Diario Cent. Am., Dec. 27, 1880.
[XXII-45] The exhibit of the state of affairs, both present and prospective, was encouraging, and appeared to be well founded. A synopsis of the address is given in Pan. Daily Canal, March 20, 1883; Pan. Star and Herald, March 23, 1883.
[XXII-46] He was permitted to visit the U. S. and Europe, where, as the majority of the committee to whom the subject had been referred said, free from official cares he might place himself under medical treatment, if necessary. Some members of the committee favored the acceptance, claiming it as a matter of justice, but the majority thought it would cause inconveniences in the orderly march of affairs. A journal, La Paz of Tegucigalpa, remarked: 'Friends and enemies of Dr Soto, men and parties the most opposite in ideas, join in considering that the withdrawal of Dr Soto would be the precursor of political misfortunes and catastrophes.' Id., Apr. 18, 1883.
[XXII-47] To adjust Honduras' share of the old federal debt, which was still unpaid; and to make some settlement respecting the loans contracted in London and Paris for constructing the interoceanic railway.
[XXII-48] A little later Barrios of Guat. claimed that it was due to his own constant support rather than to Soto's administration, which he declared to have been bad and ruinous to Hond.
[XXII-49] In his journey he was accompanied by his kinsman and former minister of relations, Ramon Rosa.