Señor Guirola to Mr. Blaine.

[Translation.]

Most Excellent Sir: I have to thank your excellency for the kind reply which you were pleased to make on the 9th instant to my communication of the 3d.

I now have to inform your excellency that my fears with regard to a disturbance of the peace in Central America have been confirmed. I am credibly informed that the Government of Guatemala is massing its forces near our frontier, and is recruiting a large force of men in addition, and, as this can not be on account of any domestic affairs, I must presume that, as has been the case on previous occasions, Salvador is to be invaded by Guatemala without any declaration of war, notwithstanding the fact that such a declaration is required by the law of nations. This act seems all the more arbitrary when it is considered that there are no justifiable reasons for it, since there has not yet been time to submit to ratification the treaty of peace whose bases were drawn up by the resident diplomatic corps and gladly accepted by both the contending parties in the late war. The Salvadorians placed confidence in that document, which had already been virtually ratified, and had returned to their customary occupations, laying aside their arms in strict accord with what had been agreed upon and again taking up the implements of labor, which ennobles mankind and enhances the greatness of nations.

There is so much room, Mr. Minister, for entering upon a statement of the many considerations for which material is furnished by the course pursued by a Government that is so far from seeking to maintain peace and harmony with its neighbors, as would be most natural according to the principles of modern civilization, that I will not dwell on that point, but will leave it to your excellency’s perspicacity to judge of the supposed case to which I refer. And feeling certain, as I do, of the conciliatory policy of your Government, I must feel equally certain that it would regret to see a state of things which would drench with human blood those very fields that are still reeking with that which was shed in July and August last, at which the world was horrified, and for which the people of Salvador had given no cause.

In view of these facts, and considering that what is done in behalf of nations or of mankind never comes too late and is never superfluous, which opinion I do not suppose to be entertained, but which I recognize as being entertained, by your enlightened Government, and by your excellency in particular, I cherish the hope that your authoritative word will be more efficient than force would be in bringing about a satisfactory and harmonious condition of things, instead of that which now prevails.

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Before concluding, I must state, Mr. Minister, how much I regret to occupy your time; I am induced to do so, however, by the sentiments to which I have given expression, and I avail, etc.,

B. Molina Guirola.