No. 478.
Mr. Morgan
to Mr. Blaine.
Mexico, October 6, 1881. (Received October 20.)
Sir: I had a visit this morning from Mr. Herrera, the Guatemalan minister. He informed me that on the 4th instant he had had an interview of Señor Mariscal. I inquired of him with what purpose he had called on the secretary for foreign affairs. He replied that he had been instructed so to do by his government to ask the meaning of the large armed force which Mexico was concentrating upon the Guatemala frontier. He informed me that Señor Mariscal had replied that there were some troops in that vicinity and that others were on their way there; that their object was to protect the Mexican frontier from invasion, and to recover possession of the Mexican territory which Guatemala had taken some months ago. The number of Mexican troops, he said, amounted to about 3,000. Mr. Herrera says there are about 4,000.
I inquired of Mr. Herrera whether Guatemala had any troops in the neighborhood of the district which Señor Mariscal said it was the intention of Mexico to take possession of. He said there were. I asked “if the Mexican troops attempt to take possession of the territory in question will the Guatemalan troops resist?” He replied that they certainly would.
Mr. Herrera spoke long and earnestly about the differences between the two countries, and of his last interview with Señor Mariscal. The [Page 811] first was only a repetition of what I have heretofore reported to you, and of the last I have given you the substance.
I have seen Señor Mariscal several times since my last dispatch to you upon this subject, but he has never alluded to it. His official report thereon will soon be published. I understand that he proposes to publish the copy of your dispatch to me No. 138, a copy of which, under your direction, I left with him, as well as his reply thereto.
I am, sir, &c.,