Office of the Historian
No. 85.

Mr. Hall to Mr. Bayard.

Legation of the United States in Central America,
Guatemala, May 30, 1885. (Received June 23.)
No. 367.]

Sir: With reference to my dispatch No. 355 of the 16th instant, I have the honor to report to you such further information as I have been able to obtain in regard to the insurrectionary movement in Salvador.

I inclose copies and translations of two proclamations of the insurgent chief Menendez. One of these, dated the 15th instant, relates to the formation of a provisional Government; the other, dated the 16th instant, is an exhortation to the Salvadorian people to support the movement, and discloses its aims.

Attempts have been made by both parties to bring about a peaceful settlement, but thus far without any favorable result.

My informant was but recently a resident of Salvador, and has the means of communication with Santa Ana, the headquarters of the insurgents. His statement is substantially the following:

On the 23d instant a messenger arrived at Santa Ana, bringing dispatches from General Figueroa, Zaldivar’s successor. These dispatches contained overtures from Figueroa to Menendez that each should name commissioners with full authority to settle all differences. The proposition was accepted. Figueroa named as his commissioners General Juan José Samayoa and Señor Miguel Yudice. These were accompanied by the Nicaraguan minister to Salvador and the Mexican consul, acting as advisers. Menendez appointed Drs. Gallardo and Castellanos, who are also members of his executive council.

The commissioners met at a place called El Molino, a league from Santa Ana, on the 24th and 25th instant. They had long conferences, from which nothing definite resulted, the propositions of neither party being accepted by the other.

Figueroa’s commissioners proposed that Menendez and his party should surrender their arms, under a guarantee of life and property, and an offer of subordinate appointments under the Government. As the insurgents have thus far gained all the battles that have been fought, and consider themselves, in some other respects, in a stronger position than the Government, it is not strange that the proposition to surrender their arms should not have been entertained for a moment by their commissioners. It appears also that Figueroa’s commissioners were without authority to make any other proposition.

The insurgent commissioners made several propositions, among them the following:

(1)
That both Figueroa and Menendez should retire; that a junta of notables should designate a third person as provisional President, whose first duty should be to convoke a congress for revising the constitution and provide for a popular election of a President.
(2)
That Figueroa and Menendez should retain their commands, jointly or separately; that a congress be called, and a popular election of a President be ordered.
(3)
Figueroa and Menendez, together with a third, to be named by them, forming a triumvirate, should exercise the executive authority, should convoke a congress, which should elect a President.

Menendez’s commissioners had full powers to conclude an armistice and any other negotiations favoring peace, and to avoid bloodshed.

[Page 125]

Figueroa’s commissioners had limited instructions, but upon retiring stated that they would ask for instructions in regard to the first-mentioned proposition of Menendez.

A telegram of to-day announces that the Government of Nicaragua will give armed assistance to the Government of Figueroa. This assistance consists of a force of one thousand men which will be sent from Corinto, Nicaragua, and landed at La Union or Acajutla. The same telegram also announces that another engagement has taken place near Cojutepeque between the Government forces and the insurgents, in which the former were defeated with considerable loss. It is claimed, also, that this victory insures the success of the revolutionary movement. It is not to be expected, however, that such success, even should it be realized, will secure permanent peace and tranquillity to Salvador. If reports are to be credited, there are other aspirants, besides the two above named, to the Presidency, and, if disposed to enforce their claims, all have followers enough to keep the country in a state of anarchy for months to come.

Since the 15th instant telegraphic communication with Salvador, beyond Santa Ana, and cable communication with the United States have been interrupted, and there is no immediate prospect of their being renewed.

I am, &c.,

HENEY C. HALL.
[Inclosure 1 in No. 367.—Translation.]

Proclamation of General Menendez.

Francisco Menendez, general of division of the Republic of Salvador, considering, that I have been called by the people of the Republic to place myself at the head of the revolution, whose noble object is to overthrow the administration of Dr. Don Rafael Zaldivar, which has so long suppressed our liberties and violated our guarantees, and that it is a duty of patriotism to procure the good of the country by saving it from the tyranny which oppresses it in order to give our citizens the enjoyment of their liberties and rights, I decree:

  • Article 1. I assume the provisional Presidency of the Republic of Salvador, placing myself at the head of the revolution, which has for its object the organization of the country upon true republican principles.
  • Article 2. General Don Estanislao Perez is appointed minister of war, and is charged with the general administration, to whom also is commended the organization of the several offices of the provisional Government.

Given in the Government House of Santa Ana, May 15, 1885.

  • FRANCISCO MENENDEZ.
  • MAXIMO MANCIA,
    Secretary ad interim.
[Inclosure 2 in No. 367.—Translation.]

Proclamation of General Menendez, of Salvador.

Francisco Menendez, general-in-chief of the liberating army and provisional President of the Republic, to his fellow-citizens.

Salvadorians: I have placed myself at the head of the national, insurrection against the corrupt and corrupting Government which, during the past nine years, has weighed upon the honor and shame of the country, and God having given victory to the cause of liberty and justice, we have defeated the hirelings of tyranny in Santa Ana, in Bejuco, in Sonsonate, and in Atiquizaya.

Dr. Zaldivar, valiant only in beating and assassinating helpless citizens, has fled shamelessly at the sound of our conquering arms. His ring, notwithstanding, remains in power—that ring of swindlers and miscreants.

Fellow-citizens, continue, as hitherto, to support with enthusiasm the efforts now being made by the noble sons of the west of the Republic, that we may have morality, country, liberty, and laws, and in a few days we shall have torn up by the roots [Page 126] the cursed tree of eastern tyranny, planted here by Zaldivar, and here by him and his ring irrigated with the tears and blood of a brave people worthy to be free.

Soldiers of the Liberticide Faction, the sacred right of revolution belongs to you; you are, like ourselves, rational beings, not machines, and, like us, citizens of a Republic which has so written it in her laws, and engraved it with immortal deeds in her history. Do you not blush in still defending those infamous men who carry on their foreheads the brand of public indignation, the brand of infamy (“thief”)? In their stratagem they may at some time attempt to disguise themselves under an honest exterior, as if from the glorious ranks of the opposition; but do not trust them, they who, like lepers, infect the hale with their miasmas and the atmosphere with their pestilential presence. Throw down your arms and come to fight on the side of morality and law.

Salvadorians! God protects our cause. Rally round the provisional Government, and soon the capital itself will be redeemed by our arms. The victory once consummated, the cannon silent, law shall speak and a constituent Congress shall carry out your wishes and crown the only aspirations of your friend and compatriot,

FRANCISCO MENENDEZ.

Santa Ana, May 17, 1885.