Mr. Mizner to Mr.
Blaine.
Legation of
the United States,
Guatemala, July 2, 1890.
(Received July 17.)
No. 117.]
Sir: Referring to my No. 114 of the 25th of last
month, on the subject of the revolution in Salvador, I have the honor to
inform you that as yet it is not positively known here whether the President
of that Republic was killed or died from excitement during the night attack
on his house.
There is much commotion in this city, and large bodies of troops are moving
to the frontier of Salvador.
The President of Guatemala has issued a proclamation on the subject, a copy
of which in Spanish, with translation into English, please find herewith as
inclosure No. 1.
The situation is complicated; friends of the “Union” fearing that the use of
force against Salvador to restore constitutional government will array the
people of that Republic against it and doubtless enable them to secure aid
from other countries even greater than the combined forces of Guatemala and
Honduras, and to permit a military power to take part in the organization of
the new Provisional Government, fixed for the 20th of next month, would not
be in accord with the true principles of the compact.
On the 28th of last month the President of this Republic declared martial
law, and suspended the personal guaranty clause of the constitution in the
departments fronting on Salvador, and Señor Sobral informed me yesterday
that his Government had an army of observation of 8,000 men in those
departments well supplied with new arms, and that the treasury had
$2,500,000 for their support, adding that large reinforcements would go
forward as required. He also stated that his Government would do all in its
power to effect a peaceful solution of the question.
It is believed here that the new order of things, under General Ezeta, in
Salvador is, at least to all appearances, supported by a considerable number
of the people of that Republic, and that he is now from his own frontier
confronting Guatemala with an equal force, so that the two armies are within
a few days’ march of each other, and a conflict imminent at any time.
Of actual important facts I will notify you by cable.
I have, etc.,
[Inclosure in No.
117.—Tranlation.]
Manuel L. Barillas, constitutional President of the
Republic, to his fellow citizens.
Citizens of Guatemala:
The deeds perpetrated in the capital of Salvador on the night of the 22d
instant have profoundly impressed every circle of society in Guatemala.
Fortunately there exists among our people such a deep sense of honor and
justice that, no matter what may be our local differences and party
preferences—our political “likes or dislikes”—all are of one accord in
denouncing evil deeds and in repudiating all relations with those whose
hands are stained with criminal acts.
Central America is at this moment under the stigma of a terrible
reproach. The chief magistrate of Salvador, honored and respected by
all, who bad brought about a praiseworthy reform in the political
history of his country; who had reëstablished the public credit,
encouraged progress and secured the strictest economy of administration;
[Page 30] who had assured the greatest
liberty for all, even for those who might be inimical towards him; the
worthy ruler who was the jealous guardian of republican institutions;
the eminent loyal citizen who deserved so much at the hands of his
countrymen—General Don Francisco Menendez, whose private and civic
virtues fill one of the brightest pages of Central American history, has
been the victim of the most scandalous and shameful outrage.
The annals of all countries present us with instances in which a
respectable number of citizens have been arrayed against the
constitutional authorities in revolutionary movements.
Each of the opposing parties in all such struggles is contending for
victory, regardless of the number of its enemies or the means of defense
at its command.
This can be readily understood. But what shall we say or think when
conspiracy, and more especially when treason on the part of those who
have sworn to be faithful servants of the chief of the State, taking
advantage of the very arms which have been intrusted to them and of the
army placed under their orders, deals the death blow to their superior,
and not only their superior, but the kind and constant friend who had
overwhelmed them with favors. Depend upon it, such men, who can be
guilty of so violent an outrage toward a trusting and confiding friend
and benefactor, must not with impunity be permitted to ascend the steps
of power, nor need they expect that there is any other government that
may be aware of the facts, and that has any regard for its own honor,
which will tolerate such conduct or hold friendly relations with men who
have stained their hands with the life-blood of him who should have been
the first to claim their protection and their love.
Being looked upon as the interpreter of the wishes and sentiments of the
citizens of this Republic, the Government of Guatemala hastened to
display the emblems of mourning for the deceased chief, who not only
maintained good and fraternal relations of friendship towards our
country, but who, in addition to this, made every effort within his
power to achieve the union and welfare of Central America; and not
without reason has the executive power, with the support of public
opinion and in full accord with the unanimous sentiment of the just and
upright people of Honduras, so worthily represented by their leader
General Bogran, ignored the legal existence of the present state of
affairs in Salvador, being the outcome of an odious military stroke
worthy only of the ignorance and brutality of the barbarous ages.
The fate of Salvador can not be indifferent to our people. She is a
sister republic; she is bound to us by solemn stipulations of union; her
people are among the most honored and laborious of all Central America;
her destinies are in common with the destinies of all the Central
American isthmus. With these antecedents, and being the bordering state
on our eastern frontier, so that all events in Salvador, whether
prosperous or adverse, have a reflex influence on Guatemala. It is the
duty of my Government to preserve peace, to be vigilant and watchful
over its own interest, and to endeavor to the utmost extent of its power
and influence to prevent the existence of everything resembling anarchy
and confusion in the neighboring republic, which would not only be an
incalculable damage to the generous people of Salvador, but at the same
time a dangerous menace for the whole of Central America.
For the foregoing reasons my Government has placed forces of inspection
on the frontier; for the same reasons and in behalf of all, but more
particularly in the interests of the people of Salvador, whose true
interests and natural rights we shall ever respect, this Government is
ready to act as the circumstances may require.
Citizens of Guatemala! To our upright and honorable conduct has been
intrusted a worthy and generous mission—that of maintaining peace and
harmony, that of restoring tranquility to a sister state—in a word, that
of guarding the good name and credit of Central America. To you I
appeal, as well as to all honest and honorable sons of that sister
state, as well as to all good Central Americans at heart, to all I
appeal for your support that you may aid me in the task of affording
solid guaranties for the reëstablishment of tranquility, of respect for
the law, for the maintenance of peace upon the soil of our common
country; that the work so well begun may be continued in a peaceful
manner in the interests of progress and of our Central American
union.
Fellow citizens, rest assured that my Government will not depart or turn
aside from the path of duty marked out by the institutions and sacred
interests of the country.
Your friend and fellow citizen,
M. L. Barillas.
Guatemala,
Central America, June 27,
1890.
