No. 61.
Mr. Hall to Mr.
Bayard.
[Extract.]
Legation of
the United States in Central America,
Guatemala, March 26, 1885.
(Received April 18.)
No. 327.]
Sir: With reference to my dispatch No. 322 of the
14th instant, I have the honor to inclose copies * * * and translations of
the telegrams, which have passed between the President of Nicaragua, the
minister for foreign affairs of Honduras and others, and myself, since the
19th instant. These show what has been done and the efforts that have been
made in attempting to carry out the views expressed in your telegram of the
11th instant, to wit, “that the United States stand ready to exert their
influence to avert a conflict and promote peace.”
These steps, which have been taken without my special instruction, other than
the foregoing, I trust will meet your approval. Aside from the ground of
humanity, our citizens have large interests in these countries, in Guatemala
especially; these interests are threatened with serious injury, if not with
ruin, in the event of war, which now seems imminent. I confess, however,
that while the efforts which have been made may tend to postpone the
conflict, I have little hope that it will be averted and peace promoted.
In my dispatch above mentioned I referred to an interview with President
Barrios, at which he gave assurances that he would not invade Salvador, and
that Honduras would observe the same conduct in regard to Nicaragua.
On the 19th instant I informed President Cardenas that I was making efforts,
through my Government, in favor of peace; that President Barrios had
promised that neither Gautemala nor Honduras would invade Salvador or
Nicaragua, if the two latter should observe the same conduct towards the
other states. He replied, on the 23d, that Nicaragua had abstained from
invading Honduras and that Salvador would remain solely on the defensive He
adds, however, that he knows positively that Bogran is advancing to invade
Salvador. I transcribed
[Page 92]
these
telegrams to the minister of foreign affairs of Honduras, who in reply,
dated yesterday, gives assurances that there is no such intention on the
part of General Bogran. He declares also that Salvador and Nicaragua were
the first to send their forces to the frontiers; notwithstanding, Honduras
will take no imprudent step. In a second dispatch he transcribes a telegram
from General Bogran confirming these assurances.
Copies of other communications between Presidents Bogran and Barrios, and
from the latter to his minister, Señor Cruz, are appended to the inclosure.
From these it is to be inferred that should hostilities take place the
responsibility will fall on Salvador; that Zaldivar has sent an Indian
outlaw named Baraona with a force of 400 Salvadorians into Honduras with the
view of promoting a revolution among those of his class, and that he
(Zaldivar) had also sent a band of 200 criminals into Guatemala to maraud
and plunder.
The two telegrams of yesterday from Minister Zelaya, of Honduras, were
transmitted at once to President Cardenas, and their receipt has been
acknowledged to day.
As I have informed you in my dispatch No. 322, and in my telegram of the 18th
instant, Barrios, since he has realized that he will not be supported by
Zaldivar, has manifested a willingness, and even a desire, to withdraw from
his present position.
* * * * * * *
In the mean time the Mexican minister and suite have gone to Salvador, and
the legation is closed, but the family of the minister remain here. The
British and German ministers have informed me that they have applied to
their respective Governments for naval vessels, to be stationed on the
Pacific coast of these states.
I have, &c.,
[Inclosure in No.
327.—Telegrams.]
Mr. Hall to
President Cardenas.
United
States Legation,
Guatemala, March 19,
1885.
President Cardenas, Managua:
Ever since my return from Nicaragua I have been making efforts, through
my Government, to avert a conflict. President Barrios offers me that
until my Government is heard from neither Guatemala nor Honduras shall
invade Salvador or Nicaragua, if on the part of the two latter the same
conduct shall be observed respecting Guatemala and Honduras.
I hope you will concur with me that this proposal is reasonable and
convenient, in which case Nicaragua will undertake no invasion of
Honduras. Please answer.
President Cardenas
to Mr. Hall.
[Translation.]
Managua, March 23, 1885.
(Received in Guatemala at 8.10 p.m.)
Minister Hall, Guatemala:
My Government, in deference to your suggestion, has abstained from
invading Honduras, and influenced Salvador to maintain herself solely on
the defensive; but to-day I know positively that General Bogran advances
with forces to invade Salvador, and I inform you in order to save every
responsibility for the consequences. Please acknowledge receipt.
[Page 93]
Mr. Hall to Señor
Zelaya.
[Translation.]
Guatemala, March 24,
1885.
Minister Zelaya, Tegucigalpa:
I answer your telegram of to-day, informing you that under date of
yesterday, President Cardenas, of Nicaragua, telegraphs me the
following:
“My Government, in deference to your suggestion, has abstained
from invading Honduras, and influenced Salvador to maintain
herself solely on the defensive; but to-day I know positively
that General Bogran advances with forces to invade Salvador, and
I inform you in order to save every responsibility for the
consequences. Please acknowledge receipt.
“CARDENAS.”
I beg that you will give me the facts in regard to the invasion of
Salvador by Honduranian forces; if true, my friendly influence to avoid
a conflict and in favor of peace will avail nothing.
[Translation.]
Señor Zelaya to Mr.
Hall.
Tegucigalpa, March 25,
1885.
Minister Hall, Guatemala:
To-day I have received your telegram, for which I thank you. General
Bogran has done nothing more than to move to Nacaome and Cholateca to
take command of the army; but I assure you, and am answerable to you
therefor, that he will not invade Salvador nor Nicaragua. The
Governments of these states were the first to send forces to the
frontier. Ours have not moved from Nacaome and Cholateca. You can use
your friendly influence with the assurance that Hondurus will take no
imprudent step, and will wait to be attacked.
Señor Zelaya to Mr.
Hall.
[Translation.]
Tegucigalpa, March 25,
1885.
Minister Hall, Guatemala:
In confirmation of the telegram I addressed to you two hours ago, I
transcribe to you the following just received from General Bogran:
“Nacaome, March 25, 1885.
“Minister Zelaya:
“In consideration of the good offices of Mr. Hall, I shall
restrict myself to guarding the frontier until the result of his
mediation be known; but it will not be possible to maintain
indefinitely an armed and expectant attitude, which paralyzes
all operations and occasions heavy expenditures. Zaldivar has
Baraona (an Indian chief of Honduras) in Pasaquina, threatening
the tranquillity of these people. Taking into account the
character of that chief, he cannot be trusted to respect
Honduranian territory, even should he have orders to that
effect, so that should any excision arise, which I shall not at
present initiate, the blame and responsibility must be charged
to Salvador.
“BOGRAN.”
I am, your obedient servant,
Note.—Under the same date, 25th instant,
the last two telegrams from Señor Zelaya, minister for foreign
affairs of Honduras, were transcribed to President Cardenas of
Nicaragua.
[Page 94]
The following are translations of telegrams sent to Mr. Hall by
Minister Cruz, of Guatemala:
President Bogran of Honduras to President
Barrios.
Tegucigalpa, March 21, 1885.
I have just learned that Zaldivar (President of Salvador) has
armed the Indian Baraona with the object of revolutionizing
Honduras.
Same to same.
Tegucigalpa, March 21, 1885.
I confirm my telegram of this morning. I leave for the frontier
within an hour. My plan is purely defensive; but if I am invaded
I shall invade.
President Barrios to Minister
Cruz.
Azacualpa, March 24, 1885.
In answer to your telegram I have to inform you that Bogran
telegraphs me that Baraona with 400 Salvadorians has invaded
Hondurian territory, this is the conduct the separatists
observe, and according to a dispatch from the Commandant
Chiquimula, just received, they may invade Guatemala. This
invasion they expect to make with a force under Lieut. Col, José
Palacios. Zaldivar, as you know, is not a man whose word affords
any guarantee.
Same to same.
Rio de Par, March 25, 1885.
Go personally to Minister Hall and tell him that in this place on
the way to Jutiapa, I have received a dispatch from the
commandant of Chiquimula, informing me that 200 armed
Salvadorians have passed the line, and in consequence I have
given orders that they be followed up not only in our territory
but also, in Salvador as they are a band of criminals armed by
the Salvadorian Government with the object of plunder.
Mr. Hall to Señor Zelaya.
Guatemala, March 25, 1885.
I have received your two telegrams of to-day and transcribed them
at once to Doctor Cardenas, and will inform you the result. I
thank you for the courtesy with which my suggestions have been
received.
Señor Zelaya to Mr. Hall.
Tegucigalpa, March 26, 1885.
I thank you for your telegrams, and await news of the result of
your friendly offices, which you offer to communicate to me.
President Cardenas to Mr. Hall.
I thank you for your efforts to arrest conflict. Our forces on
the frontier of Honduras have received no orders to invade.
