Papers Relating to the Foreign Relations of the United States, Transmitted to Congress, With the Annual Message of the President, December 1, 1890

Mr. Mizner to Mr. Blaine.

Legation of the United States,
Guatemala, September 3, 1890. (Received September 18.)

No. 151.]

Sir: In my No. 147 of the 27th ultimo it was stated that full details of the proposed arrangement for peace between Salvador and Guatemala could not then be given and asked your indulgence until the mail that goes north to-day.

I am constrained to ask further delay as to the full details until the diplomatic corps can prepare the very voluminous correspondence connected with the negotiations, so that there may be an exact agreement between us as to what was said and done. Of course, it will be in the Spanish language, requiring translation.

But, believing that you may desire to know the main and material circumstances, as well as results, I inclose the originals, with their translations herewith, namely, 1, the original bases as suggested by the diplomatic corps, by and with the advice and consent of Guatemala and Salvador, the latter State being represented here at the time by its plenipotentiary, Señor Galindo, who fully agreed, on behalf of the Provisional Government of Salvador, to the bases, including articles iii and iv, as the best way, under all the circumstances, to restore constitutional government in that State.

On my arrival at Acajutla, in Salvador, in the U. S. S. Ranger, August 25, in company with Plenipotentiaries Castro, of Costa Rica, and Larios, of Nicaragua, and Minister Resident Arellano, of Spain, the Provisional President of Salvador objected to articles iii and iv of the bases as an interference with the autonomy of that Republic, notwithstanding his envoy had consented thereto. There being no intention on the part of the diplomatic corps to so interfere, the explanatory note marked 2 was added to and made part of the bases.

Whereupon General Ezeta, the Provisional President of Salvador, accepted these bases as above explained and set forth in the papers marked 3 and 4.

Returning to Guatemala on the afternoon of August 26, a letter was addressed to the minister for foreign relations of this Republic, submitting the bases, as explained, for consideration and action, as set forth in the paper marked 5, which bases were promptly accepted by that minister, as will appear in the paper marked 6.

And at the same time a formal decree accepting the bases was signed and promulgated by the President, as will be noted in the paper marked 7.

Immediately thereafter the respective Governments of Guatemala and Salvador were notified and requested to comply with the terms of the bases, as will appear in the paper marked 8.

Accordingly, all the troops of the respective Republics have been withdrawn from their frontiers, and Guatemala and Salvador ceasing to be arrayed against each other, their armies being rapidly reduced to a peace footing, I was yesterday informed by the minister for foreign relations of Guatemala that peace would be declared as soon as the diplomatic corps should report that the terms of the bases had been complied with.

Honduras has been consulted and heartily coöperates with all that has been done in the premises.

In all these negotiations I have been especially careful to impress upon the belligerents and the members of the diplomatic corps that this is a friendly officious mediation only, avoiding in any manner interference with the autonomy of either Republic, and that joint action became necessary on account of imminent danger of immediate and terrific conflict between the contending armies, as well as the precedent established in 1885 during the invasion of Salvador by the late President Barrios.

I have the honor to be, etc.

Lansing B. Mizner.

[Inclosure 1 in No. 151.—Translation.]

Authorized copy of the bases presented by the diplomatic corps accredited to Central America for the arrangement of peace between the Republics of Guatemala and Salvador.

Desiring to put an end, if possible, to the war which unfortunately exists between the Republics of Guatemala and Salvador, the undersigned, members of the diplomatic corps accredited to Central America, having been solicited to do so by the ministers plenipotentiary of Nicaragua and Costa Rica, believe that they can, by virtue of an officious mediation accepted by both belligerents, formulate the bases which, in their opinion, may afford a satisfactory solution for the reëstablishment of the most perfect accord between two nations otherwise united by so many ties, and whose mutual and reciprocal friendship is so imperiously demanded by the universal fitness of things.

The character, therefore, of this mediation is consonant with the most absolute respect for the autonomy and independence of the States concerned; and the validity and force of these stipulations herein enunciated will depend exclusively and only upon their being freely and voluntarily accepted by both parties.

The bases for the reëstablishment of peace between Guatemala and Salvador, for the purpose of thus normalizing a situation exceptional in the extreme and unforeseen by the provisions of international law, should be, in the judgment of the undersigned, as follows:

I. The withdrawal of both armies from the frontiers within the space of 48 hours after the contracting parties shall have been notified by the diplomatic corps that these bases have been ratified and accepted as a formal compromise between them.

II. The said armies to be disarmed so as to reduce them to the effective force required in time of peace, and likewise the army of Honduras shall be in the same manner placed on a peace footing, This disarmament to be simultaneous, and shall be certified to in Guatemala and in Salvador by two members of the diplomatic corps 8 days after the term shall have expired in which the retirement of the troops from the frontier shall be effected.

In conformity with this, it is solemnly agreed between the Governments of Guatemala, Honduras, and Salvador to prevent within their respective territories the formation of factions or other similar revolutionary proceedings directed against either of the other republics in question.

III. For the purpose of obviating the inconveniences presented by the situation in Salvador with respect to international relations, the political and military state of the Republic shall revert back to the 22d day of June of the present year, the supreme power being invested in the person called by law to exercise it during the period of 21 days, with the sole faculty of calling upon the people to hold presidential elections.

In case that, from any cause whatever, neither of the individuals designated by law for that purpose shall assume power, it shall be invested in the actual president of the supreme tribunal of justice of the Republic, with the same faculty ascribed to the person so designated by law.

The President elect shall be considered President ad interim from the date of his election until the 1st day of March, 1891, and as the constitutional President from the latter date until the expiration of his legal term of office, thus avoiding the disturbances consequent upon a new electoral struggle within so short a period.

IV. The retroaction of the politico-military condition to which reference is made in the preceding article shall have reference only to the calling of the nominees of the constitution, to the members of the supreme tribunal of justice, and to the general inspection of the army.

V. The presidential election having been held, and the President elect having taken possession of the Government of Salvador, shall be recognized by the States of Central America and, ad referendum, by all foreign powers that shall have representatives in Salvador.

VI. Complete and unconditional amnesty shall be granted in the Republics of Guatemala, Salvador, and Honduras to all who took part in the events that gave rise to the war or were in any way connected with it.

VII. The administration of the Government of Salvador having been legally constituted as far as possible under the existing circumstances, a treaty of peace shall be celebrated between the belligerent republics, which shall forever efface traces of the disagreements that have taken place between them, and which shall be a proof of the mutual respect and good will that each feels for the autonomy and independence of the other.

This treaty just mentioned must be celebrated within the period of 3 months at the latest, counting from the day on which the President elect shall take possession according to the arrangement set forth in these bases; and in it shall be specified and set forth the most complete and absolute renouncement of all claims for indemnity arising from the present war just concluded.

VIII. The present project or proposition shall be submitted to the knowledge of the Government of Honduras, in order that it may adhere to it; for, be it well understood that these bases concern that Republic, also, in all that may be for its benefit and advantage, in order that it may enter fully and completely in concert with her sister republics in peace and sincere friendship, in which all the Central American republics should be united.

IX. The belligerents shall report to this foreign diplomatic corps accredited to Central America within the limit of 5 days, without grace, counting from the date of these bases, whether they shall accept them or not; and the communication containing their report of acceptance shall be inserted, together with these bases, in the official daily of Guatemala (Diario Oficial de la República de Guatemala), of Salvador, and of Honduras, in order that, should they be in the affirmative, they may constitute a solemn compromise of honor to faithfully and sincerely carry them into effect.

And, in witness thereof, we hereby affix our signatures at the city of Guatemala, this 17th day of August, 1890.

• Lansing B. Mizner,
  United States Minister.
• José Maria Castro,
  Minister of Costa Rica.
• G. Larios,
  Minister of Nicaragua.
• L. Reynaud,
  Minister of France.
• Julio de Arellano,
  Minister of Spain.
• Ate Halewyck,
  Minister of Belgium.
• Arthur Chapman,
  H. B. M. Chargé d’Affaires.
• Paul Schmaeck,
  Chargé de’ Affaires of Germany.

[Inclosure 2 in No. 151.—Translation.]

Additional notes.

It having been understood by one of the belligerent parties that the third and fourth articles of the bases, dated the 17th of the present month, for declaring peace between Guatemala and Salvador, is an attempt against the autonomy of the latter, the dean, as well as the other undersigned members of the diplomatic corps, by order of and in the name of the said diplomatic corps, formally and solemnly make the following declaration, which must form an integral part of the foregoing bases:

In drawing up the third and fourth articles the diplomatic corps had no other object in view than that of setting forth in the interest of peace what was already the manifest will and pleasure of the Government de facto of Salvador, in accordance with the political programme set forth by its plenipotentiary, Señor Doctor Don Francisco E. Galindo, who subscribed to them without any reserve.

In consequence of which the diplomatic corps protest that the said articles iii and iv do not involve, even remotely, the least intention of interference in any manner in matters that are the exclusive and competent right of Salvador to arrange.

• Lansing B. Mizner,
  United States Minister.
• Julio de Arellano,
  Minister of Spain.
• José Maria Castro,
  Minister of Costa Rica.
• L. Reynaud,
  Encargado de Negocios de Francia.
• G. Larios,
  Minister of Nicaragua.
• Paul Schmaeck,
  Chargé d’Affaires of Germany.
• Arthur Chapman,
  H. B. M. Chargé d’Affaires.
• Augusto Halewyck,
  Chargé d’Affaires of Belgium.

Acajutla, Salvador, August 25, 1890.

[Inclosure 3 in No. 151.—Translation.]

In view of the bases of peace to which the preceding declaration refers, and in the interests of the same, I hereby ratify them, in conformity with, and in relation to, the answer given this day by the foreign diplomatic corps accredited to Central America.

Carlos Ezeta.

Acajutla, Salvador, August 25, 1890.

[Inclosure 4 in No. 151.—Translation.]

Notes exchanged in connection with the restoration of peace.

Provisional Government of the Republic of Salvador,
Acajutla, August 25, 1890.

Most Excellent Sir: In view of the addition that the honorable diplomatic corps has been pleased to make to the bases of peace between the Republics of Salvador and Guatemala, which is very satisfactory to my Government, inasmuch as it is therein declared that the idea was not even remotely entertained of interference in the internal arrangements of this Republic, it gives me much pleasure to inform Your Excellency that the Government over which I preside ratifies the said bases, with the sole exception of the third and fourth articles, which I will submit to the consideration of the National Assembly, which I shall convoke in order that they may dispose of them as they see fit, as the most competent authority to represent the National Government.

It is my duty to add, Most Excellent Sir, that if it depended solely upon me to approve at once and absolutely, without reserve, the foregoing bases, I would do so with the greatest pleasure, with the sole purpose of promoting peace and to demonstrate that in taking the lead in the revolutionary movement of the 22d of last June, I did not do so in the hope of satisfying personal ambitions, but to secure for my country an administration more in harmony with national aspirations; but, being unable to do this, as I have already heretofore remarked, I find myself under the necessity of submitting to the more competent decision of the representatives of the Republic of Salvador.

I avail myself of this occasion to assure Your Excellency and the diplomatic corps over which you so worthily preside that my Government and its official representatives entertain the most lofty appreciation of your noble efforts and those of your colleagues to restore peace between nations that may have forgotten for a moment that they are sisters.

Besides, my Government being satisfied with the latest declaration of the diplomatic corps, of which in the beginning I expressed my appreciation, it is pleased thus to modify its reply of the 21st of August instant.

I reiterate, etc.,

• Carlos Ezeta.
• Mr. Lansing B. Mizner,
  Dean of the Diplomatic Corps accredited to Central America, present.

[Inclosure 5 in No. 151.—Translation.]

Notes exchanged on account of peace.

Guatemala, August 26, 1890.

Sir: As the organ of the diplomatic corps over which I have the honor to preside, I beg to send to Your Excellency the arrangement for a basis of peace between Guatemala and Salvador ratified by General Ezeta. As Your Excellency will observe in said ratification, there is a reservation to submit the third and fourth articles to the consideration of the General Assembly, which will be convened for that purpose.

In expressing his ideas on this point, General Ezeta and his plenipotentiaries, with elevated views worthy of encomiums, stated in terms leaving no doubt that the reunion of the Assembly would be immediate.

With high consideration, I have, etc.,

Lansing B. Mizner,
United States Minister.

His Excellency Señor Doctor Don Francisco Anguiano, etc.,
Present.

[Inclosure 6 in No. 151.—Translation.]

Señor Anguiano to Mr. Mizner.

Guatemala, August 26, 1890.

Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge receipt of Your Excellency’s favor dated to-day in this city, in which Your Excellency is pleased to acquaint me that, as organ of the honorable diplomatic corps, of which you are the dean, you transmit to me the bases of a peace to be concluded between this Republic and that of Salvador, bases which have been ratified by General Ezeta with one reservation, to-wit, that articles 3 and 4 shall be submitted to an assembly to be convened for that purpose. Your Excellency adds that the expressions of General Ezeta and his plenipotentiaries, in conference with the members of the honorable diplomatic corps, leave no doubt as to the immediate convening of said assembly.

It gives me great satisfaction to acquaint Your Excellency, in reply, that the President of the Republic has ratified the bases referred to, with the reservation made by General Ezeta, it being the belief of my Government that the noble aspirations of the Guatemalan people will thus be satisfied, which are the same as those by which he is himself animated—that constitutional order maybe established in the neighboring and sister nation of Salvador, unhappily interrupted by the events of the 22d of June.

This pacific solution of the existing difficulties between the two nations insures, according to the belief of the Guatemalan Government, the general welfare of Central America, and can not but be gratifying and acceptable, therefore, to the administration over which General Barillas presides.

The latter high functionary has instructed me to present his heartfelt thanks to the honorable diplomatic corps, of which you are the dean, for the friendly offices lent by it in this emergency to Guatemala and to all Central America in the generous and active part which it has taken in the establishment of peace, so full of benefit to both nations.

I avail myself,

F. Anguiano.

[Inclosure 7 in No. 151.—Translation.]

Office of the Secretary of Foreign Relations,
National Palace, Guatemala, C.A. , August 26, 1890.

Most Excellent Sir: I have the honor to transcribe and transmit to Your Excellency the decision in which the Señor General President ratifies the bases of the articles of peace drawn up between this Republic and that of Salvador, as follows:

“National Palace, Guatemala, August 26, 1890.

“The bases for the arrangement of peace between Guatemala and Salvador formulated by the diplomatic corps accredited to Central America, by virtue of an officious mediation, having been presented before me; bases accepted and ratified yesterday in the port of Acajutla, Salvador, by Gen. Don Carlos Ezeta, chief of the Government de hecho of Salvador:

“Duly appreciating the elevated and philanthropic motives that have impelled the honorable diplomatic corps to offer their friendly mediation and labors inquest of the reëstablishment of peace in Central America, and the Government of Guatemala desiring to give a proof of its frank disposition to arrive at the same result, now that the bases subscribed to comply with the requirements that obliged her to mobilize a portion of the army of the Republic, the President accords:

• “(1) To ratify in all their parts the bases referred to.
• “(2) The minister of war shall take the necessary steps for retiring and disarming the forces in the manner prescribed.

“Let it be communicated.

“Rubricated by the Señor General President.

“Anguiano.”

With the highest consideration and esteem, etc.,

F. Anguiano.

His Excellency Señor Don Lansing B. Mizner,
Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary of the United States of America, and Señors Members of the Diplomatic Corps, present.

[Inclosure 8 in No. 151.—Translated.]

Guatemala, August 26, 1890.

Señor Minister: The bases for the regulation of peace between the Republics of Guatemala and Salvador having been signed and ratified by Gen. Don Carlos Ezeta, chief of the Government de facto of the latter Republic, it is now in order to proceed to the exact fulfilment of the agreement, and next Thursday, the 28th of the present month, the withdrawal of both armies from the frontier shall begin, so that the disarming of the troops can be effected within the limit of time specified in the said bases.

A communication of the same tenor and date as the present is at this moment being directed to the Government de facto of Salvador, and we request Your Excellency to do the same respecting the Republic of Honduras, in order to comply with the conditions of said bases.

The diplomatic corps accredited to Central America congratulates the Republic of Guatemala, and entertains the most fervent wishes for the prosperity and success of this most highly favored land.

• Lansing B. Mizner.
• José M. Castro.
• G. Larios.
• Julio de Arellano.
• L. Reynaud.
• Ate Halewyck.
• Arthur Chapman.
• Paul Schmaeck.

His Excellency the Minister of Foreign Relations,
Señor Doctor Don Francisco Anguiano, present.