Mr. Mizner to Mr.
Blaine.
Legation of
the United States,
Guatemala, August 18, 1890.
(Received September 5.)
No. 141.]
Sir: I have the honor to inform you that on my
arrival at La Libertad, in Salvador, on the 8th instant, on the U. S. S. Thetis, Lieutenant-Commander Stockton commanding, I
was met by Henry R. Myers, esq., our consul to Salvador, who was about to
sail in the Pacific Mail steamer for New York, but determined to remain
temporarily for the purpose of explaining to me the reasons for his hasty
departure. He stated that during the attack of the 30th and 31st of last
month, against General Rivas, in the city of San Salvador, the United States
consulate was assaulted by the forces of the Provisional Government, the
building and archives much damaged, our flag torn down, and he compelled to
lie on the floor of his bath room for over thirty hours to escape the
continued rain of leaden balls. He stated, also, that he heard the order
given by one of General Ezeta’s officers to tear down our flag; that it was
so torn down and dragged in the streets by General Ezeta’s soldiers; that
the consulate was taken possession of by Provisional forces and used as a
stable, and that he was refused permission by the Provisional forces of the
privilege of telegraphing the facts to his legation in this city or to his
Government. Upon inquiry of General Calonge, the commandant of La Libertad,
I learned that he was one of General Ezeta’s officers in the capital at the
time and saw the flag in the possession of one of his soldiers; took it away
from him and gave it to a German.
On the same day, to wit, the 8th of August, a committee from General Ezeta,
consisting of Messrs. Amaya and Dawson, called on me on board the Thetis, inviting me to the capital, which invitation,
in view of the treatment our consul had received, I for the time declined;
but upon being subsequently assured that they had conferred by telegraph
with General Ezeta, and that he was willing to make any reparation for the
indignity which I might think proper, I consented to visit San Salvador as
soon
[Page 76]
as the proper honors were paid
to our flag. Accordingly, Lieutenant Denfeld, U. S. Navy, was directed,
under my instructions, to proceed to San Salvador and cause the flag to be
hoisted over our consulate by the Provisional Government, duly saluted, the
consul reinstated in his office with all proper guaranties, and a written
apology made, as will appear by a copy of the report of Lieutenant Denfeld
herewith, showing that my instructions were complied with.
Arriving at the capital on the 10th instant I inspected the consular
premises, finding them damaged as stated. For further details of the
conflict, reference is made to the report of Consul Myers to the State
Department.
The result of this action has been most salutary.
I have, etc.,
[Inclosure in No. 141.]
Report of Lieutenant Denfeld.
U. S.
S. Thetis (Third
Rate),
Acajutla, San
Salvador, August
12.
Sir: I have the honor to make the following
report in obedience to your orders of August 8, 1890, a copy of which is
appended marked A. About 11 a.m. in the morning of August 9, 1890, I
arrived at the capital, proceeding to the office of General B. Molino
Guivola, secretary general of the Provisional Government of San
Salvador, accompanied by the United States vice-consul, F. Baruch, who
acted as interpreter. Explained my mission, and read to him my letter of
instructions from Hon. Lansing B. Mizner, United States envoy
extraordinary, etc., to the republics of Central America, a copy of
which is appended marked B. Then I requested to be presented by the
secretary general to General Carlos Ezeta, the Provisional President.
The secretary-general announced my mission, and, as a result of our
interview, the Provisional President desired to have me send a telegram,
hereto appended marked C. In answer to the above-mentioned telegram, I
received one from the United States minister, hereto appended marked
D.
I made known the contents of the above telegram to General C. Ezeta and
was assured by him that the ceremony would be performed according to my
letter of instructions between the hours of 8 and 9 a.m., August 10,
1890. The following morning I arrived at the United States consulate at
7:45 a.m., the consul and vice-consul being present. An official from
General Ezeta informed me at 9 a.m. that the ceremony would take place
at 12 o’clock, and requested me to inform the United States minister by
telegram, a copy of which is appended marked E, and to invite all
American citizens to be present. At 9:30 a.m. I received a telegram from
you, a copy of which is hereto appended marked F, and 15 minutes later
the secretary-general informed me that I might name the hour for the
ceremony to take place. Accordingly, I set the hour at 10:15 a.m., and
requested the consul and vice-consul to notify all the American
citizens. At the above-mentioned time a full company of infantry, two
pieces of artillery, and a band were drawn up in the square in front of
the United States consulate. The United States flag was hoisted at the
consulate by a commissioned officer of the Provisional forces, the
infantry company presented arms, the band played the national air of San
Salvador, and the artillery fired a salute of 21 guns in the presence of
myself, the consul, vice-consul, the American citizens, and several
foreigners. I then called on the secretary-general, who agreed to comply
with the remaining articles contained in the United States minister’s
letter of instructions.
After this agreement I sent you a telegram, copy of which is hereunto
appended marked G. In all my dealings with the authorities I was treated
with the utmost courtesy.
Your obedient servant,
- G. W. Denfeld,
Lieutenant, U. S. Navy.
- Lieut. Commander Charles H. Stockton,
U. S. N.,
Commanding U. S. S.
Thetis.
U. S. S.
Thetis,
Off Acajutla,
Salvador, August 13,
1890.
Respectfully forwarded for the information of the Hon. L. B. Mizner,
envoy extraordinary and minister plenipotentiary to Central
America.
C. H. Stockton,
Lieutenant-Commander, U. S. Navy,
Commanding.
[Page 77]
A.
U. S.
S. Thetis (Third
Rate),
La Libertad, San
Salvador, August 8,
1890.
Sir: By request of the Honorable L. B. Mizner,
envoy extraordinary, etc., to the republics of Central America, you are
hereby detailed, as representative of the United States, to proceed to
San Salvador and there witness the ceremony of the restoration of the
flag of the United States over the consulate of the United States in the
city of San Salvador and the due reinstallation of the United States
consul in his office and residence.
This ceremony will be performed by the representatives of the Provisional
Government of Salvador in the manner indicated in the accompanying
letter of instructions. Upon the performance of this duty, you will
return to this vessel, making a written report to me of the entire
matter.
I am, respectfully,
- Chas. H. Stockton,
Lieutenant-Commander, U. S. Navy,
Commanding.
- Lieut. (junior grade) G. W. Denfeld,
U. S. N.
B.
U. S.
S. Thetis (Third
Rate),
Off La Libertad, San
Salvador, August 8,
1890.
Letter of instructions.
Sir: Upon your arrival at San Salvador you will
place yourself in communication with the officials in charge of the
military and political departments of the Provisional Government in San
Salvador and read to them this letter of instructions containing the
requirements necessary to atone for the indignity recently offered the
flag of the United States, the consular official residing there, and the
building of the consulate.
They are as follows:
- First. That the flag shall be hoisted in broad daylight over
the consulate by an uniformed commissioned officer of the
Provisional forces.
- Second. As the flag is hoisted a salute shall be made by a
company of infantry under arms, accompanied by music. If
practicable, this should be accompanied by a salute with
artillery.
- Third. That the consul of the United States shall be duly
placed in possession of his office, his property, and the
archives, with a full resumption of his consular rights and
prerogatives, including free and undisturbed use of mail and
telegraphic facilities to the minister of the United States
residing at Guatemala and to the United States.
- Fourth. That the minister of the Provisional Government
charged with the foreign relations of Salvador should address to
me a letter expressing his regrets and apologies.
- Fifth. That as soon as practicable a satisfactory payment be
made for the damage done to the property of the United States
and the private property of the consul.
I am, very respectfully,
Lansing B. Mizner,
United States Minister.
To
Lieut. G. W. Denfeld, U. S.
N.,
On Board U. S. S. Thetis, off La
Libertad, San Salvador.
C.
[Telegram.]
San
Salvador, August 9,
1890.
To Lieut. Commander C. H. Stockton,
U. S. N.:
(For Hon. Lansing B. Mizner, United States minister, care of consular
agent, La Libertad.)
- First. His Excellency Provisional President Ezeta requests that
you visit him at San Salvador.
- Second. That you hear from the authorities their view of the
insurrection and see yourself the promiscuous damage done in the
neighborhood of consulate.
- Third. After hearing, and seeing, you still insist that the flag
be saluted, as called for in my letter of instructions, the
authorities will comply with your request.
I await your instructions, as this telegram is the result of my
presentation of letter of instructions to the Provisional President
Ezeta.
Your obedient servant,
G. W. Denfeld,
Lieutenant, U. S. Navy.
D.
[Telegram.]
La
Libertad, August 9,
1890.
Lieut. G. W. Denfeld, U. S.
N.:
I regret exceedingly that my requests, as agreed upon yesterday with
General Ezeta’s representatives, Messrs. Dawson and Amaya, have not been
complied with. Am further instructed to-day from Washington to demand
full reparation at once. Remain in San Salvador and report. Will not
visit the capital for the present. Read this to General Ezeta.
L. B. Mizner,
United States Minister.
E.
[Telegram.]
San
Salvador, August 10,
1890.
To Capt. C. H.
Stockton,
Commanding U. S. S.
Thetis:
(For L. B. Mizner, United States Minister, care of Emilio Courtado,
United States consular agent, La Libertad.)
A messenger from the President has just informed me that the ceremonies
at the consulate will take place at 12 o’clock to-day, and requests that
I telegraph this fact to you.
Your obedient servant,
G. W. Denfeld,
Lieutenant, U. S. Navy.
F.
[Telegram.]
La
Libertad, August 10,
1890.
Lieut. G. W. Denfeld, U. S.
N.:
Having been assured by the Provisional President that the ceremony will
be performed this morning, we are about to leave for the capital.
Telegraph me at Zaragoza what has occurred at 11 a.m.
G.
[Telegram.]
San
Salvador, August 10,
1890.
Capt. C. H. Stockton, U. S.
N.,
Zaragoza:
The ceremonies have just been performed satisfactorily.
Your obedient servant,
G. W. Denfeld,
Lieutenant, U. S. Navy.
