Mr. Mizner to Mr. Blaine.
Guatemala, October 8, 1890. (Received October 23.)
Sir: For several days prior to the beginning of this month some little friction appeared to exist between the three republics of Central America recently at war, growing out of intimations of a want of complete compliance with all the terms of the peace bases agreed to by them.
The time stipulated in which a treaty of peace between Salvador and Guatemala was to be made was rapidly passing, and as yet no notice of the election of the new President and the establishment of a new government in Salvador had been given, and no steps toward the making of the treaty referred to had been taken.
There was also a delicate question as to which republic should first send its plenipotentiary to the other. The feeling had increased so that on the 28th of last month General Ezeta addressed a rather sharp [Page 118] telegram to the President of Honduras on the alleged unsettled condition of affairs, which, however, was on the next day so frankly and kindly answered by President Bogran as to dispel all unpleasant apprehensions in that quarter.
In view of these matters, and at the suggestions of high officials of Guatemala and Salvador, it was deemed well for some of the members of the diplomatic corps to make a social visit to San Salvador, with a hope that an opportunity might offer to suggest means of more perfect harmony; accordingly, the ministers of Spain and Nicaragua joined me, and we went on the U. S. S. Ranger to Acajutla.
Commander Reiter kindly accompanied us to the Salvadorian capital, where we were most hospitably received by President Ezeta and his Government and greeted with a serenade and every attention.
Notice of the due organization of the new government and the appointment of Señor Alberto Mena as acting minister of foreign relations, as well as the usual letter to the President of the United States, were given me.
The President of Salvador informed me that he had appointed a plenipotentiary to Guatemala for the purpose of negotiating a treaty of peace, as above referred to, the Government of Guatemala having previoutly stated that such a minister would be received with the highest honors.
I am therefore quite confident that the treaty will be promptly agreed to and a lasting peace formally declared, thus restoring that order and good will among these States so important for their happiness and prosperity and so much desired by you.
Finding it necessary to return to Guatemala before my associates, the President sent his military band, as a compliment to our Government, on the train with me to the port of Acajutla, and I arrived here on Saturday, the 4th instant.
The newspaper telegrams purporting to come from these republics for the last few months in reference to local troubles are, as a general thing, utterly false and malignant to a degree that is absolutely startling.
I have, etc.,