No. 76.
Mr. Hall to Mr.
Bayard.
[Extract.]
Legation of
the United States in Central America,
Guatemala, April 15, 1885.
(Received May 16.)
No. 337.]Sir: In the midst of the panic throughout
Guatemala, the demoralization of the army, and the apparent helplessness of
the Government which followed the death of General Barrios, at the personal
and earnest solicitation of Señor Cruz, the then minister for foreign
affairs, the foreign representatives residing in this city met at this
legation on the night of the 3d instant, with the object of rendering the
Government any assistance in their power to avert the anarchy which then
threatened the country. Señor Cruz was present, as was also General
Barrundia, the minister of war.
After much discussion it was decided that, in view of the revocation of the
decree of the 28th of February, and there being no motive for keeping up the
warfare, with the object of averting further bloodshed, to propose to the
Presidents of the several states an armistice of one month. The proposition
was telegraphed the same night to President Zaldivar. By reference to the
inclosure it will be seen that it was simply proposed to obtain a truce,
leaving the Governments of the states to settle their differences in their
own way.
President Zaldivar replied on the following day, the 4th instant, in a
dispatch, in which he entered at length into the merits of the contest, and
declared that he would give neither truce nor repose to Guatemala until the
ministry of Barrios had disappeared; until Salvador and her allies had
received a satisfaction and an indemnity, so far as possible, for the
expenses and sacrifices they had been obliged to make in consequence of the
decree above mentioned. It was evident that he desired to enter into a
discussion of the merits of the contest, which the diplomatic body were not
inclined to do.
The President of Honduras replied on the 6th, accepting the proposed
armistice on the condition that the other states should also suspend
hostilities.
No answers were received from Nicaragua or Costa Rica.
The diplomatic corps replied to President Zaldivar on the 7th instant, and
expressed their regret that his Excellency had not seen fit to accept the
armistice, which, in their opinion, offered an honorable means of
terminating pending difficulties by negotiations for peace, and that, in
regard to the terms and conditions of the peace, the neutral character of
the corps prevented their expressing officially, any opinion.
[Page 104]
To the latter President Zaldivar replied on the 10th instant, expressing
regret that his refusal to concede an armistice had been understood as a
non-acceptance of an honorable means of terminating pending difficulties
with Guatemala through negotiations for peace; that nothing would have been
more acceptable to him than the mediation of the foreign representatives; he
then gives his reasons for not accepting their proposed armistice, and
concludes by declaring that he had not refused and does not refuse any
proposition leading to a definite and permanent peace, much less when coming
through their friendly mediation.
On the 11th instant President Zaldivar telegraphed me personally, repeating
what he had previously stated to the corps—that he had not provoked
hostilities, nor did he refuse an honorable settlement, but that he
required, in addition to the guarantee of the diplomatic corps, the presence
of a new and independent personnel in the cabinet of
Guatemala.
* * * * * * *
It would seem that up to the 11th instant, the date of his last-mentioned
telegram, President Zaldivar had not been informed of the change of ministry
here. As to any guarantee of the foreign representatives, the idea was not
for a moment entertained by any of them, nor to discuss with him the merits
of his dispute with Guatemala. Their object was to avoid bloodshed and to
promote peace in the interest of humanity.
On the 12th instant President Zaldivar informed me that Honduras had entered
into a treaty of peace with the other states, and that it would be equally
satisfactory to him to terminate the difficulties still pending with
Guatemala, to which end he would be glad to have the mediation of the
diplomatic corps.
The two last mentioned telegrams from President Zaldivar were acknowledged by
me on the 12th, suggesting to him that inasmuch as the present Government of
Guatemala and himself were inspired by the same sentiments, I had no doubt
they would come to an honorable settlement, to which I promised him my own
aid and that of the diplomatic corps.
Again, on the 13th instant, President Zaldivar communicated by telegraph to
the several members of the diplomatic corps, thanking them for their
friendly offices, expressing his opinion that an honorable settlement, upon
which so many interests depend, would be possible, and substantially
requesting them to propose the bases for a treaty of peace and to
communicate the same to him by telegraph. Acting upon this invitation, my
colleagues came together again at this legation, and decided to send to the
President the following:
* * * Under existing circumstances, the diplomatic corps, acceding to
the expressed wishes of your Excellency, with the same motive of
averting the effusion of blood and to facilitate the consummation of
a treaty of lasting peace, as friends, propose to the five
Governments that a frank and solemn declaration of peace and
friendship, without conditions or reclamations of any kind, shall be
made, and that an absolute amnesty be conceded to all those who are
in any way implicated in political matters relating to this
war.
After the foregoing bases for a treaty had been submitted to and approved by
the President of Guatemala, they were transmitted by telegraph to the
President of Salvador, and they have been unconditionally accepted by him.
The two Governments have to day entered into communication with each other,
and there remains no longer a doubt as to the termination of the troubles
growing out of General Barrios’ attempt to establish by force a union of the
Central American States, and this has been brought about without imposing on
any of them humiliating terms
I have, &c.,
[Page 105]
[Inclosure 1 in No. 337.—Circular
telegram.—Translation.]
Guatemala, April 3,
1885.
The Presidents of the five Republics
of Central America:
In view of the resolution adopted by the Assembly of Guatemala annulling
the decree of the 28th of February, ultimo, the diplomatic body
accredited to Central America proposes to the Governments of the five
Republics, with the object of avoiding bloodshed, that hostilities be
suspended and an armistice for one month be conceded.
- HENRY C. HALL,
Minister of the
United States. - WERNER von BERGEN,
Minister of Germany. - MELCHOR ORDOÑEZ,
Minister of
Spain. - J. P. H. GASTRELL,
Minister of
England. - LE BRUN,
Chargé d’Affaires of
France. - ANGELO MUTTINE,
Chargé d’Affaires of
Italy.
[Inclosure 2 in No.
337.—Telegram.—Translation.]
President Zaldivar
to diplomatic corps.
Santa
Ana, April 4, 1885.
(Received in Guatemala at 11.40 p.m.)
I have received the telegram dated yesterday, in which you are pleased to
communicate to me the resolution taken by the Assembly of that Republic
declaring null the decree of the 28th of February, in virtue of which
and with the noble aim of avoiding bloodshed, the honorable diplomatic
corps, earnestly proposes that hostilities be suspended and an armistice
of one month be granted.
I give, before all, due thanks to you for the earnest and humane interest
which yon manifest, although feeling that the friendly interference of
the diplomatic ministers cannot be under the circumstances as
efficacious as they desire nor can produce the proposed object.
I recall to you that not only Salvador did not provoke, but on the
contrary endeavored to avoid by all possible means the unjust war which
Guatemala has made; that confiding in the promise which was made to me
through the American minister that the forces of Guatemala would not
invade the territory of this republic if on our part we abstained from
an invasion, I maintained with the forces of Salvador a defensive
attitude, limiting myself to collecting them on the frontier in order to
sustain, should occasion arise, the dignity of the Republic, and finally
that the three battles which took place in El Coco, San Lorenzo, and
Chalchuapa, on Salvadorian territory, are the best proof that not only
on our part was fulfilled that which the promise demanded and the laws
of civilization in the sad extremity of war, but also we knew how to
brilliantly sustain our dignity and independence, repelling with arms
the unjustifiable aggression of the Government of Guatemala. But when
victory has crowned so splendidly our efforts, when the illustrious
blood of so many Salvadorians dead on the field of battle has irrigated
the soil of liberty, when the death of General Barrios places the stamp
on our triumphs at the same time that it punishes the rash boldness of
that military chief, would it be possible that I myself should eclipse
the glories of Salvador, that I should render in vain the noble blood
which has been shed, and deprive the Republic and all Central America of
the advantages which it is in a position to obtain, and in the right to
exact in order to insure its tranquillity, to indemnify itself for its
heroic sacrifices and to prevent fresh attempts?
I think that the honorable diplomatic corps cannot desire it thus, all
the more as this would be the sole result to which would lead the
suspension of hostilities for a month which they propose to me in the
telegram of yesterday which I am answering; on no account, the interests
of Salvador and her allies bind me, and the most holy duty imposes on me
not to take truce nor rest until the ministry of General Barrios
disappears from the political scene of that Republic, until Salvador and
her allies receive a complete satisfaction and that they be indemnified
to the extent possible for the expenses and sacrifices to which they
have been driven in consequence of the decree of the 28th of last
February.
Without rejecting, therefore, the friendly offices of the honorable
diplomatic corps, whom on the contrary I thank sincerely, I hope, in
order to make them efficacious in
[Page 106]
behalf of peace, avoiding further bloodshed, they
may be carried out in the sense above indicated, serving as intermediary
and as guarantee for the settlement of the conditions which will put a
definite and advantageous stop to hostilities. I must state that neither
Salvador nor her allies conceal any hostile intent against the brother
people of Guatemala, whose fate interests them as much as their own, and
that they only desire to treat concerning the conditions of a peace in
which they can freely manifest their wishes, and to exercise by the same
means their rights, this being from now the only object for which the
forces of this republic are kept together.
I am, &c.,
The Diplomatic Ministers H. C. Hall, Melchor
Ordoñez, J. P. H. Gastrell, Werner von Bergen, J. A. Le
Brun, and Angelo Muttine.
[Inclosure 3 in No.
337.—Translation.]
Acting President Leiva, of Honduras, to the foreign
ministers residing in Guatemala.
Tegucigalpa, April 6,
1885.
I have received the telegram of your excellencies in which you urge me,
with the view of suspending hostilities, that a truce for one month be
conceded. I appreciate, as it merits, the humane and friendly solicitude
of the ministers, and my Government on its part, wishing that there may
be no more shedding of Central American blood, has acceded to the
suspension of hostilities proposed by your excellencies, which promise
shall take effect when it shall be known that the other belligerent
Governments are of the same accord, which I trust your excellencies will
be pleased to communicate to me, as also in regard to the negotiations
for peace, which may be initiated.
I have, &c.,
[Inclosure 4 in No.
337.—Translation.]
The diplomatic
representatives to President Zaldivar.
Guatemala, April 7,
1885.
The diplomatic corps accredited to Central America has had the honor to
receive your telegram of the 4th of this month, and observes with regret
that your Excellency has not been pleased to accept the friendly
proposition to concede an armistice for one month, which, in their
opinion, offered an honorable means of terminating the pending
difficulties through negotiations for peace. In regard to the terms of
the proposed peace, the neutral character of the diplomatic corps
prevents them from expressing officially any opinion.
Your obedient servants,
- HENRY C. HALL,
- WERNER von BERGEN,
- MELCHOR ORDOÑEZ,
- J. P. H. GASTRELL,
- J. LE BRUN,
- ANGELO MUTTINE.
[Inclosure 5 in No.
337.—Translation.]
President Zaldivar
to Henry C. Hall and others of the
diplomatic corps in Central America.
Santa
Ana, April 10,
1885.
By your excellency’s telegram of yesterday, just received, in answer to
mine of the 4th instant, I notice with regret that my refusal to concede
an armistice for one month is taken as a non-acceptance of an honorable
means of terminating the difficulties pending with Guatemala, through
negotiations for peace. Correcting this misunderstanding, I have the
pleasure to make known to you that nothing would have been more grateful
to me than to make use of the friendly mediation of the diplomatic corps
for effecting
[Page 107]
peace under
honorable conditions, and my reason for declining with regret the
armistice solicited was because in making that request nothing was
suggested that would lead to the desired object; on the contrary, the
probabilities were augmented that the strife would continue with more
violence, and the one month’s truce would afford the Government of
Guatemala an opportunity to reorganize its forces. I confirm to the
honorable diplomatic corps the favorable disposition that from the first
I have met with to settle peacefully and honorably the difficulties
pending with Guatemala, of which are an evident proof the steps that I
took at the commencement to induce General Barrios to desist from his
purpose; my attitude, purely defensive, under the promise of the
American minister; and, finally, the fact that all the battles have
taken place in Salvadorian territory in just defense of the rights of
the Republic.
Your excellencies therefore know that I have not refused, nor do I
refuse, any proposition that may lead to a definite and permanent
peace—much less when coming through the friendly and respectable medium
of the honorable diplomatic body.
I am, &c.,
[Inclosure 6 in No.
337.—Translation.]
President Zaldivar
to Mr. Hall.
Santa
Ana, April 11,
1885.
I suppose you have already received my reply to the telegram of the
diplomatic corps, dated the 3d instant. I repeat it under cover, adding
that I have not provoked these hostilities, nor do I refuse to terminate
them through a worthy and honorable settlement. I only demand to have
faith in such a settlement, that in addition to the guarantee of the
diplomatic corps that another should be given to this Government and to
its allies by the presence of a new and independent personnel in the cabinet of Guatemala. I trust that the bases
they may propose will be communicated to me by telegraph.
I am, &c.,
[Inclosure 7 in No.
337.—Translation.]
President Zaldivar
to Mr. Hall.
Santa
Ana, April 12,
1885.
With pleasure I inform you that yesterday at 6 p.m., in the town of
Namasasigare Honduras, peace was signed between the Republic of Honduras
and the Republics of Salvador, Nicaragua, and Costa Rica, thus avoiding
on that side further effusion of blood. It would be equally satisfactory
to me to terminate the difficulties still pending with Guatemala, to
which end I shall see with pleasure the friendly mediation of the
diplomatic corps.
On my part, I renew to you the assurance that I will accept favorably
every initiative conducive to that important object.
I am, &c.,
[Inclosure 8 in No. 387.]
Mr. Hall to
President Zaldivar.
Guatemala, April 12,
1885.
To-day I have addressed you a telegram acknowledging the receipt of yours
of the 10th and 11th instant. I have now the pleasure to acknowledge the
receipt of yours of to-day, announcing that peace has been signed
between Salvador, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Honduras. In view of the
disposition of the present Government of Guatemala, which inspires the
necessary confidence, and the good intentions you have manifested, I
have no doubt that the two Governments will come to an honorable and
satisfactory settlement. I believe the aid of the diplomatic corps can
be depended upon. I assure, you that I shall do everything in my power
to that end.
I am, &c.,
[Page 108]
[Inclosure 9 in No. 337.]
President Zaldivar
to Mr. Hall.
Santa
Ana, April 13,
1885.
I thank you for your good offices. Considering the friendly disposition
of the Government of Guatemala and my own, I have no doubt it would be
feasible to come to an honorable settlement, and as upon this depend so
many interests, I would like that by telegraph we fix upon the principal
bases, so that not only hostilities may be suspended, but also the
movement of forces.
Men of order in all Central America will notice with gratitude the
efforts of yourself and of the honorable diplomatic corps in favor of
peace, and hoping that you will communicate to me whatever may be done
to retain it,
I remain, &c.,
[Inclosure 10 in No.
337.—Translation.]
The foreign representatives in
Central America to President Zaldivar.
Guatemala, April 13,
1886.
The undersigned members of the diplomatic corps accredited to Central
America have had the honor to receive the telegrams of your Excellency
dated the 10th and 12th instant.
Under existing circumstances the undersigned, acceding to the expressed
wishes of your Excellency, with the same motive of avoiding the effusion
of blood and to facilitate the consummation of a treaty of lasting peace
propose, as friends, to the five Governments that a frank and solemn
declaration of peace, without conditions or reclamations of any kind,
shall be made, and that an absolute amnesty be conceded to all those who
are in any way implicated in political matters relating to this war.
We are, &c.,
- HENRY C. HALL,
- WERNER von BERGEN,
- MELCHOR ORDOÑEZ,
- J. P. H. GASTRELL,
- J. LE BRUN,
- ANGELO MUTTINI.
[Inclosure 11 in No.
337.—Translation.]
President Zaldivar
to the diplomatic corps.
Santa
Ana, April 14,
1885.
I respond with pleasure to the telegram of your excellencies of
yesterday’s date, this moment received, in which, with the desire to
avoid further effusion of blood and for conciliation, you propose, as
friends, to the five Republics that they enter into a treaty of lasting
peace, that without conditions or reclamations of any kind a frank and
solemn declaration of peace be made, and that an absolute amnesty be
conceded to all those who are implicated in political matters relating
to this war.
Inspired by the same sentiments your excellencies manifest, and in view
of the acceptance of the President of Guatemala, I on my part, and in
the name of Salvador, accept the propositions you are pleased to make
me, and I to-day invite all other allied Governments to make one
identical declaration; but without prejudice to this declaration I would
wish, as soon as practicable, the representatives of both Governments to
meet in Acajutla, to make a definite treaty of peace, declaring in
force, in the mean while, the stipulations and franchises of the
treaties which were in force before the 28th of February ultimo.
I renew to your excellencies my thanks for your friendly mediation, and
repeat that I remain, &c.,
