Mr. Pacheco to Mr.
Blaine
.
Legation of
the United States in Central America,
Guatemala
,
March 11, 1891.
(Received March 27.)
No. 10.]
Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of
your instructions No. 27, of February 13, and in reply would state that I
had a long interview with Mr. Anguiano, minister of foreign affairs, and, in
accordance with your instructions, I read to him your communication in
regard to rumors of war between Guatemala and Salvador. I am happy to inform
you that the secretary gave me positive assurances that his Government is
sincere in their desire and efforts for the maintenance of peace.
I likewise had an interview with the President regarding the subject, who
reiterated most emphatically the assurances given me by the secretary for
foreign affairs, Mr. Anguiano, who made a personal request that I should
express his thanks for the interest the United States Government has
manifested in the internal affairs of Central America, and takes pleasure in
explaining in a confidential manner the condition of affairs of his
Government, thus evincing his friendliness.
[Page 63]
He requests me also to say to you that the rumors published and spread by the
American press regarding war in Central America are inexact, at least in
regard to Guatemala; that this Republic is now at peace with its neighbors,
and he believes that no motives exist at present to change said condition of
affairs.
A new law concerning the reorganization of the army and the purchase of arms
were points which were satisfactorily explained between the Governments of
Guatemala and Salvador. Guatemala ordered the purchase of arms, but without
any hostile intentions, and only because the new organization of the army
required it, coupled with the necessity of replacing part of the
armament.
The secretary said to me that he did not believe that the peace of Central
America is threatened. Should it so happen through some unfortunate
condition which would injure Guatemala’s interests he would willingly give
any assurance that in any case, whether in its exercise of its rights or
complying with its duties (rights and duties which belong to it as a
sovereign and independent nation), Guatemala will ever keep within the
bounds of the law of nations. He deemed it hardly necessary to make this
last explanation were it not that rumors have been spread regarding some
aggression of Guatemala against Salvador.
I have the honor to transmit herewith a copy of the President’s message to
the Congress of Guatemala that convened on Sunday, the 1st day of March.
I have, etc.,
[Inclosure 1 in No.
10.—Translation.]
Extract from the message of President
Barillas.
Guatemala has cultivated and continues to cultivate frank, cordial, and
intimate relations with the friendly nations of both continents.
In a deplorable moment the fraternal ties that bind us to the neighboring
Republic of Salvador were interrupted to some extent, but peace having
been happily restored our communications with that Republic, and with
the others of Central America, have been continuous and sincere as
befits peoples who in their origin and aims are in all things
identified.
The conferences of the Pan-American Congress, in which Guatemala was
represented, having come to an end, its conclusions have been received.
The secretaries of the respective departments will give you an account
thereof separately, that you may consider them and come to such decision
in regard thereto as you may deem most adapted to the interests of the
country.
In referring to our relations with the great Republic of the north, I can
do no less than deplore the unfortunate results which followed the
capture of Gen. J. Martin Barrundia on board an American merchant
steamer, the details of which occurrence you will learn by a report of
the department of foreign relations.
[Inclosure 2 in No. 10.—Translation from El
Gruatemalteco, February 7, 1891.]
Peace in Central America.
Alarming rumors have been in circulation for some days past with respect
to an approaching rupture between Guatemala and Salvador, and these
rumors have spread even to Europe, where they do us much harm by
destroying our credit, discouraging immigration, and casting discredit
upon our institutions.
Efforts have been made by the enemies of the peace of Central America to
arouse distrust between the governments of the two countries. Reports
unfavorable to [Page 64] them have been
propagated in both countries, in order to excite public opinion and
disturb the progress of our country in the interest of distorted and
unpatriotic schemes.
In Guatemala the originators of these rumors base them on the military
movement which for a few days past has been noticed throughout the
Republic.
If this movement be a cause of alarm, it ought to be explained, and that
is the object of this editorial.
In conformity with the new military organization which has been decreed
in Guatemala, and which has already begun to take effect, all
Guatemalans between 21 and 41 years are to be enrolled for service, and
the organized corps are required to receive the indispensable
instruction (drill) so far as may be compatible with the agricultural
needs of the country.
In view of this, steps have been taken since the 20th of last month
(January, 1891) to effect the general enrollment throughout the country
and to organize the proper corps in order that their instruction in the
drill may be forthwith begun.
Hence the military activity now noticed in this Republic; hence the
organization of several battalions in the departments, and the departure
from the city of certain officers who are to drill the new troops; and
hence, also, the dispatch of certain batteries, under escort, intended
for target practice, which must be daily performed by the troops in
training.
This has been and is all. It is seen, therefore, that there is no real
ground to think that any warlike purpose exists, and that only bad faith
can have misrepresented the steps now in progress, in time of peace, for
the noble object of improving our militia, as far as possible, in
accordance with the demands of the social needs and progress of our
time.
As for the relations of the Guatemalan and Salvadorian Governments, those
at present maintained could not be better. Both of them are earnest in
conserving the peace of the peoples whose destinies are confided to
their care, and it is their firm purpose to maintain peace at any cost,
because they are convinced that it is the greatest good they can confer
on those whom they govern.
We have inspected the official and private correspondence of the two
Governments, and find therein proof of our assertions.
In a telegram dated the 3d instant, President Ezeta gives assurances to
Gen. Barillas that his highest aim is the maintenance of peace, and that
from the line of conduct so mapped out nothing and nobody can swerve
him. Gen. Barillas entertains, in his turn, the same sentiments and,
with loyalty and frankness, has expressed them to Gen. Ezeta.
Under later date, the latter has addressed the former, communicating to
him the rumors on foot in London, which we have alluded to, and asking
his consent to their official denial in the name of the two Governments.
The President of Guatemala has thereupon expressed his concurrence in
contradicting a report so injurious to both countries and to the good
name and well-being of Central America.
We can therefore give assurance that good harmony prevails in the
relations of the two countries, and that the official circles of both of
them are controlled by the steadfast purpose to preserve it, in order to
avoid for the future any misunderstanding which might more or less
disturb the public tranquillity.
Not in vain was signed, a few months ago, a treaty of peace in which past
dissensions and painful resentments were consigned to oblivion, thus
confirming upon solid bases the order and repose of the two Republics,
and establishing the civilized and fraternal resort of arbitration for
the adjustment of any disputes which may unfortunately arise between
them.
It behooves us, therefore, to proclaim this aloud, in order that public
confidence may be restored, for it has this time as on many other
occasions been deluded by false rumors and evil-minded comments.
