[lbo-talk] Query - U.S. intervention in Honduras 1919

[Gar Lipow]

It turns out a work I'm doing requires a brief history of U.S intervention. 
I'm using one of the standard lists from anti-imperialist sources, but 
adding a paragraph or so of explaination to each item.

For Honduras, 1919 I've got:

"Francisco Bertrand Barahona, chosen as interim President by the U.S. in 
1911, now an elected President, his term in office expiring in 1920, unable 
to run again because of term limits under the constitution, tries to impose 
brother-in-law [Nazario Soriano] as a way to stay in power. General Rafael 
López Gutiérrez and the U.S. kick him out. The U.S. chooses another interim 
President, who holds a manipulated election which Gutiérrez wins. "

Is the use of the word "impose" in this context fair? Every source I've run 
into says that or worse. (Some say he declared a "dictatorship".) Was he 
simply running his brother-in-law to get around the constitutional term 
limits with good chance of success? Or was he actually imposing (about to 
impose) his brother in law by force or fraud? Also, some sources saay he was 
ABOUT to run his brother in law, whereas others say he actually had done so. 
Which is correct? The latter would certainly support the use of the word 
"impose" , since elections were not actually scheduled until 1920. The broad 
outlines are clear enough; this was a U.S. puppet who overestimated the 
length of his string. But if I'm going to tell it even briefly I don't want 
to get details wrong.

Also there is another point; El Salvador, Nicuragua, and Guatemala were all 
about to be dragged in making it a regional war. Avoiding this was the U.S. 
excuse. So in fairness I have to mention it. But before I do, does anyone 
know if Gutiérrez would have mounted a rebellion in the first place without 
U.S. support?

The following is a basic list of source I've found on Honduras:

http://sshl.ucsd.edu/collections/las/honduras/sources.html

Can anyone advise whether any of these are particularly good or particularly 
bad, or suggest any others?

Thanks

Gar
Gar

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