Mr. Ryan to Mr.
Blaine.
Legation of
the United States,
Mexico, July 30, 1890.
(Received August 11.)
No. 355.]Sir: For the information of the Department, I have
the honor herewith to transmit copies of telegrams, with translations
thereof, relating to the pending war between Guatemala and San Salvador,
received from the Guatemalan minister of foreign affairs by the Guatemalan
minister at this capital, who handed them to me on the 27th instant.
I am etc.,
[Inclosure 1 in No.
355.—Translation.]
Señor Sobral to
Señor Diéguez.
[Telegram.]
Guatemala, July 23,
1890.
Minister Diéguez, Mexico:
The so-called government of Salvador has declared war on Guatemala after
having begun the same, invading our territory with fire and sword. My
Government has been forced to accept the war, and the army is being
actively mobilized to sustain with dignity the struggle; the foreign
colonies, business interests, and the people en masse have hastened to
offer their services for the defense of the country.
[Inclosure 2 in No.
355.—Translation.]
Señor Sobral to
Señor Diéguez.
[Telegram.]
Guatemala, July 25,
1890.
The Minister of Guatemala, Mexico:
The war which has been forced upon us by the so-called government of
Ezeta has been accepted, the causes of such acceptance being the
following: (1) Invasion of our territory; (2) after occupation of our
town of Atescatempa, the Salvadorians
[Page 650]
burned the town and put to the sword women and
children; (3) the existing government circulated incendiary publications
against Guatemala, and armed exiles in order to subvert thereby public
order in this Republic. The persons and properties of neutrals shall be
duly respected. Let it be known that we have made extraordinary efforts
to maintain peace. Nothing unusual has occurred to-day. The loss among
the Salvadorians is immense. It is calculated that of the enemy 600 were
wounded. The Order of the Red Cross has been most hurriedly organized in
Salvador. Our army holds good positions and in number is daily on the
increase.
[Inclosure 3 in No.
355.—Translation.]
Señor Sobral to
Señor Diéguez.
[Telegram.]
Guatemala, July 25,
1890.
The Minister of Guatemala, Mexico:
There is great enthusiasm for the nation’s defense. All classes of
society spontaneously proffer aid for the maintenance of the honor of
the country. The people comprising the foreign colony (1,000 in number)
offer their moral and material support. One foreigner offered the
President $100,000. The merchants, the students, the arti sans, the
representatives of all corporations, present themselves at the barracks
to take up arms.
The enemy has left our soil, and it is to be hoped he will not again
invade us, for his hardiness may cost him very dear.
