No. 94.
Mr. Hall to
Mr. Bayard.
Legation of
the United States in Central America,
Guatemala, July 11, 1887.
(Received July 28.)
No. 683.]Sir: I have the honor to inclose herewith a copy of
a telegram which I addressed to you on the 5th instant, at the request of
President Barillas, in which he solicits your good offices in the event of
difficult ties with Mexico. He was constrained to make this appeal in
consequence of the suspension of diplomatic relations between the two
countries, announced by the Mexican minister accredited to Guatemala, and
the private telegrams from Mexico relating to the menacing attitude of the
Government which were being constantly received.
In this connection I inclose a copy and translation of a telegram, dated the
2d instant, from President Diaz to President Barillas, and a copy and
translation of a note of the same date from Señor Garay, the Mexican
minister, to the minister for foreign affairs of Guatemala. It will be
noticed that these documents do not accord in their tenor; the telegram from
President Diaz is not unfriendly; the note of Señor Garay is far from being
friendly.
I inclose also copies of telegrams exchanged on the 7th instant between the
Guatemalan minister to Mexico and the minister for foreign affairs here. * *
* There has been no complaint of the action of President Barillas in
suspending the constitutional regimen; the minister, however, has complained
personally to President Barillas that he (the minister) was not consulted in
the appointment of the cabinet; other causes of complaint are alleged. * *
*
So far as I am able to judge, the Guatemalan cabinet, as at present
constituted, offers better guaranties for the protection of foreign
interests, and especially the interests of our citizens, than any that have
preceded it during the past five years.
I shall refer to this subject in another dispatch, which I hope to be able to
forward by next mail.
I have, etc.,
[Page 130]
[Inclosure 1 in No.
683.—Telegram.]
Mr. Hall to Mr.
Bayard.
I am informed by the President of Guatemala that recognition of the
existing Government of Guatemala by that of Mexico has been refused, and
that Mexico has ceased to entertain diplomatic relations with Guatemala.
The Government of Guatemala is uneasy, apprehending that some trouble
may ensue. The Guatemalan President declares that he was forced to issue
the decree of June 26, in order that the Government might not fall to
pieces and the country be prevented from drifting into a condition of
anarchy; that the people are contented, and that in October a new
National Assembly will be convened. The good offices of the United
States Government are requested by him if they should prove to, be
necessary. He further maintains that there is no ground for intervention
by Mexico in the affairs of Guatemala.
[Inclosure 2 in No.
683.—Telegram.—Translation.]
President Diaz to
President Barillas.
To His Excellency the President of
Guatemala:
I have had the honor to receive your Excellency’s telegram, dated the
29th ultimo, and thank you for your courtesy in communicating to me the
interesting information that it contains.
The Mexican Government will respect, as in duty bound, all that the
Guatemalan people, in the exercise of their sovereignty, may do or
approve with relation to the institutions which are to rule them.
[Inclosure 3 in No.
683.—Translation.]
Señor Garay to
Señor Montufar.
Mexican
Legation, Guatemala, July 2, 1887.
Mr. Minister: In my note of the 29th ultimo I
informed your excellency that the gravity of the information that you
communicated to me in regard to General Barillas having assumed the
supreme power of Guatemala in suspending the constitutional regimen
obliged me to transmit it by telegraph to my Government.
Having now received definite instructions not to recognize at present, as
minister of the United Mexican States, the new order of affairs
established in Guatemala, I hasten to communicate it to your excellency
for its corresponding effect, protesting my distinguished
consideration.
[Inclosure 4 in No.
683.—Telegram.—Translation.]
Señor Dardon to
President Barillas.
The political events in Guatemala have caused alarm to this Government.
It is said that troops are on march for the frontier. Send me
instructions, so that I may know what to do.
[Inclosure 5 in No.
683.—Telegram.—Translation.]
Señor Montufar to
Señor Dardon.
Señor Don Vicente Dardon, Mexico:
Public acts have been received from all the boroughs approving the decree
in which the President assumes extraordinary powers. To-day the decree
convoking elections for the Assembly is published.
[Page 131]
This Government relies, in regard to Mexico, upon the words of President
Diaz to President Barillas.
There is absolutely no motive whatever for mobilizing troops on the
frontier. The country is tranquil. All foreign interests are guarantied,
as all foreigners who are accredited here, and who maintain cordial
relations with the Government, can testify.
