Mr. Mizner to Mr. Blaine.
Guatemala, August 18, 1890. (El Paso, Tex., August 20.)
Mr. Mizner informs Mr. Blaine that he telegraphed him on the 16th instant by way of La Libertad, and that he intends to send the present message via Mexico. He says that when in Salvador on the 12th instant he offered the good offices and mediation of the United States [Page 75] to the Provisional Government there and they were accepted. Returning to Guatemala City on the 14th instant and finding that our good offices had been accepted there also, he reports that he convened the diplomatic body that evening and bases of peace were suggested by the meeting, of which the ministers of both belligerent powers signified their acceptance subject to approval within five days by the respective Presidents. Such approval, he adds, was regarded as almost certain. The terms of the agreement, he goes on to say, were that the Provisional President of Salvador should retire from the exercise of all civil functions, and that the First Vice President should assume power in his stead for three weeks, and call an election for President; the successful candidate to continue in office during the remainder of the term of President Menendez and throughout the whole of the following term; that both Governments should withdraw their armies two days after notice of Presidential approval should have been given by the diplomatic corps, and that they should be reduced to a peace footing; that no demand should be made for reclamation or for any indemnity. He adds that Honduras remains to be conferred with, and expresses the opinion that certain political factions, as well as the two armies, will fail to be satisfied, although the best has been done that was possible.