Mr. Mizner to Mr. Blaine .

No. 130.]

Sir: The past week has been such a busy one that I will be able to give you only a very brief outline of events connected with the war between Guatemala and Salvador. The regular mail, via Livingston, which should have gone yesterday, has been detained by this Government to accommodate the diplomatic corps until 6 o’clock this afternoon.

As I telegraphed you, through Minister Ryan, on the 29th instant, the two armies are resting from their recent engagements. These were [Page 42] at Coco, Chingo, Contepeque, and Atescatempa—the three last named being on Guatemalan soil—the general result of all of which was to the advantage of Salvador, notwithstanding the troops of that state have fallen back to their own territory and are fortifying their cities, towns, and passes, and it is hoped that no further battles will be fought until the voice of the peacemaker can be heard.

Having reason to believe that the time had arrived for a tender of good offices, I called on President Barillas last Saturday evening. After distinctly stating to him the impartial position of the Government of the United States towards all the republics of Central America, and our sincere desire that peace and harmony should prevail among them, I tendered the good offices of my Government in the direction of peace in any way consistent with the neutral and friendly feeling entertained by us for all the parties to the unfortunate conflict.

The President received my suggestions most kindly, thanking my Government for its interest, but declined any other terms than that Salvador should surrender to him her last gun and pay all the expenses of the war, stating that while he had been willing to negotiate for a settlement at the time of the signing of the treaty of the 19th instant, a copy of which I sent you in my No. 124 of July 23, he was not willing to do so now that Salvador had invaded his territory, killed a number of his people, and dispersed several thousands of his soldiers; but, in concluding the conversation, the President intimated that the time might come when he would be pleased to accept our kind offer.

The diplomatic corps here has been most active in its efforts to bring about a restoration of peace. Meetings have been held at this legation and at those of France and Spain, attended by the representatives of all the nations resident in this city, for the interchange of ideas and for information, and I think the effect has been good. Of course, our joint action as between ourselves is understood to be advisory only.

The main difficulty in rendering any effective service in these troubles has been the refusal of this Government to in any manner recognize the existing state of affairs in Salvador, notwithstanding its declaration of war certainly does so, to the extent at least of admitting the existence of a de facto Government in the latter state; but after many conferences of the corps, including the ministers from Nicaragua and Costa Rica occasionally, and suggestions from the minister of foreign relations of this republic, who spoke by authority of the President, a letter was addressed by the ministers of Nicaragua and Costa Rica to each of the other members of the corps, requesting our good offices. To this letter a joint reply was made, wherein we expressed our willingness to assist in the restoration of peace in any manner consistent with our friendly and impartial relations to all the republics of Central America; which letter and reply were telegraphed last evening by the ministers of Nicaragua and Costa Rica to General Ezeta, the leader of the Provisional Government of Salvador, with the request that he consider them and make such answer as he might deem proper.

In this way it is hoped that negotiations may be opened between the contending powers with all due regard to the honor of each.

All these documents and several others necessary to a complete history of the situation are in the Spanish language, quite lengthy, translations of which into English I shall not have time to make so as to inclose them by this mail, but will do so at the earliest opportunity and forward them to you.

I have the honor to be, Sir, your obedient servant,

Lansing B. Mizner.