Mr. Mizner to Mr. Blaine.
Guatemala, September 24, 1890. (Received October 9.)
Sir: Referring to my dispatches Nos. 151 and 161 of the 3d and 10th instant, I have the honor to inform you that the protocol in print, or certain proceedings of the diplomatic corps on the subject of peace between Guatemala and Salvador, was not received until this morning, too late to give you more than a brief outline of its substance.
The material and more important documents of this protocol please find in my No. 151, with translations.
It will be seen that the negotiations were initiated by the special ministers of Costa Rica and Nicaragua addressing a note to the members of the diplomatic corps proper and receiving their reply, thus making it to some extent a family matter and avoiding any semblance of local interference on our part or subjecting our joint friendly action to criticism.
Other matters which may have transpired between myself and the Governments of Guatemala and Salvador can be reserved for a future dispatch, if necessary. It may be admitted, however, that both Republics considered the United States as the moving influence and power in the peace settlement, and frequently so stated.
In the detail and practical part of the negotiations Minister Larios, of Nicaragua, and Minister Arellano, of Spain, by reason of their superior knowledge of the Spanish language, rendered very efficient services, and the venerable ex-President of Costa Rica, Señor General José Maria Castro, contributed the weight of his diplomatic experience.
I have, etc.,