Mr. Pringle to Mr.
Gresham.
Legation of the United States,
Guatemala, March 30,
1894. (Received April 19.)
No. 75.]
Sir: Referring to my three cablegrams of March
10, March 12, and March 14, and to the Secretary’s cablegram of March
15, I beg leave to report as follows:
It being very apparent that my telegrams to Mr. Peterson were not being
forwarded and being under the impression that Mr. Imboden and Messrs.
Barnhart were in jail, I discussed the matter with Capt. Longnecker of
the U. S. S. Ranger, who had brought the
Honduranian refugees mentioned in my No. 73 of March 13, 1894, and he
informed me that he had discretionary orders as to going north or
returning to Amapala, and could easily take me to Amapala, if I so
desired. I therefore made the suggestion to the Department of my meeting
Mr. Peterson at Amapala, for the purpose of learning the true state of
affairs, and having received the Department’s cable of March 15,
referred to above, I left San José de Guatemala on the evening of
Friday, the 16th, and arrived at Amapala on Sunday morning, the
18th.
I found that all telegraphic communication with Tegucigalpa was
interrupted. After waiting three days without hearing anything from Mr.
Peterson, and when about to return, I received a telegram informing me
that he was on his way to Amapala, where he arrived on the night of the
22d. After conferring with him for two days I returned here on the
26th.
In the first place I found that I had misinformed the Department as to
the fact of Mr. Imboden and Messrs. Barnhart being in confinement.
As Mr. Peterson, in his telegram to me dated March 12, made use of the
words “in limbo,” I cabled the Department, under the impression that
they were in confinement. Mr. Peterson and myself differ very materially
upon the meaning of the words “in limbo.” I claim, and am supported in
my assertion by Webster, that “in limbo” means in “confinement” or
“detention.”
He urged me very strongly to go to the capital with him for the purpose,
as he expressed it, of “making an agreement” of some kind with President
Bonilla relative to the punishment of Mr. Imboden and Messrs. Barnhart.
This I declined to do without positive instructions from the
Department.
I inclose copy of letter which I requested Mr. Peterson to write to me
while at Amapala, as his verbal statements to me were somewhat vague and
differed materially at different times.
As President Bonilla up to that time had taken no action against these
Americans, I failed to see where anything could be done until such time
as an overt act was committed. Mr. Peterson differed with [Page 304] me, and seemed to think something
ought to be done, but failed to explain In what way or how it should be
done. I deem it best to inclose copies of all his correspondence, which
I found on my return here.
I advised Mr. Peterson to be very careful in his communications or
conversations with President Bonilla, as he was in no way authorized,
either officially or unofficially, to discuss such matters with the
President of Honduras.
The point raised by President Bonilla, and referred to by Mr. Peterson,
namely, that of organizing a military commission, may prove, in my
opinion, serious. The Department will, however, judge of this point when
it is raised. As matters now stand, I infer that it will be some time
before an action is taken against any of these men. I therefore shall do
nothing more unless further instructed by the Department.
In conclusion I beg leave to state that, in my opinion, the moral effect
of the Ranger returning, with myself on board,
will prove very beneficial and useful, thereby showing that some
interest is being taken in the welfare of American citizens in
Honduras.
Trusting that my action in this matter may be approved,
I have, etc.,
D. Lynch Pringle,
Chargé d’Affaires ad
interim.
[Inclosure 1 in No. 75.]
Mr. Peterson to
Mr. Pringle.
Consulate of the United States,
Tegucigalpa, March 22, 1894. (Now at
Amapala.)
Sir: I have to report to you in regard to
the cases of American citizens, compromised in the late revolution
in Honduras, as follows:
Mr. Bonilla, the provisional President of Honduras, informed me,
unofficially, that it is his purpose to expel from the country each
and all foreigners who were engaged in favor of Gen. Vasquez, the
late President. He stated, in more than one conversation, that he
regarded the said foreigners as guerillas, and in no sense entitled
to the treatment accorded to regularly enlisted soldiers. He stated
that he knows that the foreigners went out with Gen. Vasquez as
sharpshooters and as volunteers, but held no commissions and signed
no rolls. This is true of all of them with the exception of John
Haas and H. O. Jeffers, Americans, and Fred. Budde, a German.
At the same time Bonilla had foreigners in his own army, who maintain
the same status as those in Vasquez’s army, but they, being on the
“winning side,” are to be unmolested.
Bonilla stated to me that if amicable arrangements could not be made
in the cases of the compromised foreigners, he would organize a
military commission and regularly try, not only foreigners, but
natives also, and the decision of the commission would be final. He
proposes, if said commission is organized, to try the foreigners,
not as regular soldiers, but as guerillas, and I might say that the
decision of the commission can be easily predicted, that is, that
every man of them will be convicted and the sentence will most
certainly be expulsion from the territory of Honduras.
The following are the names of the American citizens who are under
the ban:
C W. Cleaney, H. M. Barnhart, H. C. Barnhart, J. P. Imboden, and
Charles Cadalso, who are in Honduras, and John Haas,
______McClelland, _______Brown, ana H. O. Jeffers, who are, I think,
in Salvador.
What Bonilla means by “an amicable arrangement,” in my judgment, is
that agreements shall be made between him and each of the parties
interested, approved by you as the diplomatic representative of the
United States to the effect that each person shall be given time to
settle up his business, and then voluntarily leave the country,
never to return. All of these men have business interests in
Honduras of more or less importance, and it is proposed to grant
them more or less time, according to the importance or peculiar
state of the business of each.
The business of some of these men is suffering for lack of attention,
because, while no one is under arrest, all who are in the country
are practically debarred from doing [Page 305] business, and from going from place to place
freely, and those who are not in the country can not return.
When I telegraphed to you the state of affairs I used the following
expression: “American interests in danger.” That same day, having an
appointment with Mr. Bonilla, I went to see him, and was informed by
him that my telegram had been delivered to him and read before
transmitting it, and he demanded of me an explanation of what I
meant by Americn interests being in danger, stating that I was
endeavoring to make it appear that he was plundering or robbing
Americans, etc.
I courteously informed him that I did not recognize his right to
demand or request of me any explanation of my official conduct, but
would, as a personal favor, make the explanation. I then referred
him to the fact that the business and interests of all Americans
mentioned above were suffering for lack of attention, and that I had
claims from other Americans asking for damages for wrongs committed
upon their persons and property, and desired that you should come to
Honduras to take personal charge of all these matters. I further
told Bonilla that I was not treating with him officially, but
whatever I said to him was unofficial, and I desired to have his
views in order that I might report to you.
Bonilla appeared to be somewhat angry with me, saying that I was
making these matters official by communicating with yon, and he then
and there refused to treat further, leaving matters in statu quo until you should arrive at
Tegucigalpa, where he has been expecting you.
The conversation ended quite friendly after Bonilla understood my
motives in asking you to come to Honduras. I have had several
conversations with him, and I must state, to do him justice, that I
do not think he wants to take any unfair advantage of anyone.
He thinks he is right in expelling from his country the men above
mentioned, and many of his people are demanding it at his hands.
In addition to the Americans mentioned who were compromised with
Vasquez there are some British and German subjects. There is and has
been no discrimination that I know of.
As I said above, Bonilla expects you to go to Tegucigalpa, as he told
me that he would not treat concerning the cases of the Americans
mentioned except it be with someone fully authorized to arrange the
question diplomatically.
The mails and telegraphs have been interrupted many times for days in
succession. I did not receive a single telegram from Mr. Heyden,
notwithstanding he wrote and telegraphed to me that you were
here.
I am of the opinion that Mr. Bonilla’s officials are to blame for the
interruption, and are tampering with both mails and telegraphs.
I wrote you full particulars to Guatemala by the last mail, which, I
presume, you will receive on your return.
Hoping this report will be satisfactory,
I am, etc.,
James J. Peterson,
U. S. Consul.
Mr. Pringle: In addition to the persons
mentioned in my letter to-day as being compromised with Vasquez,
and is now in Salvador and can not come back with safety, is
Maj. E. A. Burke, late of Louisiana.
Maj. Burke and George S. Scott, of New York, ate the de facto owners of the Montserrat mines
at Yuscaran, which are now shut down because Burke and Richard
Crow, the superintendent, a British subject, are in
Salvador.
Yours, very truly,
James J.
Peterson.
Amapala, March 22,
1894.
[Inclosure 2 in No. 75.]
Mr. Peterson to
Mr. Young.
Consulate of the United States,
Tegucigalpa, January 30, 1894.
Sir: On the 22d instant I sent to you the
following telegram:
“The President returned to Tegucigalpa yesterday. He lost many men
and arms in the battle of Cholnteca. Salvador has offered men to
Honduras. Telegraph me at once if you can secure a war vessel soon.
The situation in Honduras is serious.”
To-day I forward to you the following telegram:
“Enemy attacked Tegucigalpa 23d; bombarded city 26th, without much
damage. [Page 306] Shells fell near
consulate. Siege continues. Government expects reenforcements. Can
not predict results.”
Will you please to write me whether or not you receive the telegrams
I send to you. I sometimes think that they do not transmit the
telegrams I send.
It is now eight days since this city has been besieged by the
Nicaraguans. Fighting has been going on every day, more or less,
since the 23d, but the enemy has not yet entered the city. They
gained the heights on the west of the city, from whence they
bombarded the town on the 26th, sending about 30 shells into the
town. Most of them fell near this consulate, and had the cannon been
elevated a small fraction they would have struck this building, as
they struck immediately west of it, within a block. It was a matter
of barbarity to shell this part of the city, as the quarters of the
soldiers are in another part of the town. The only public building
near here is the telegraph office, and that is some five blocks
distant, and only a few shells fell in or near it.
Since the 26th there has been desultory shooting with cannon and
rifles. There has been some rather hard fighting on the south of the
city, within 3 miles. The headquarters of the enemy is within 2
leagues of the palace of the Government.
The number of the enemy is estimated from 2,000 to 4,000 men and the
Government has here not over 2,000. The Government has been
expecting reenforcements from the north for days, but it seems that
something is wrong, because they do not come.
I look upon the situation of the Government as serious, and the
enemy, animated by the Choluteca success, are more determined than
ever.
An assault upon this city is expected every day, and in my opinion it
will eventually be taken.
The Government holds the heights all around the city except on the
west. The tactics are something wonderful and pass all
understanding.
No mails are permitted to enter or leave, and I can not say when I
will be able to send you this letter.
Before sending this I will add whatever news there may be of
interest.
I am, etc.,
James J. Peterson,
U. S. Consul.
I can only report in addition that this city is still besieged by
the Nicaraguans, and is surrounded on all sides. Cannonading and
musketry are heard at all hours of the day and night. No mails
enter or leave, and I improve the opportunity of sending this
letter by two Americans who leave the city to-morrow by way of
the enemy’s camp.
The situation of the Government forces in the city is getting
very serious for the lack of food supplies, which are becoming
very scarce. No assaults are made, but only a continual firing
of cannon and rifles on all sides.
All hope of reenforcements for the Government has been given up,
and it may be many days before relief may come in any shape.
I trust that this letter will reach you, but I have little
expectation that it will. When I am able to do so I will report
to you more fully.
[Inclosure 3 in No. 75.]
Mr. Peterson to
Mr. Young.
Consulate of the United States,
Tegucigalpa, February 28, 1894.
Sir I have to report to you that on the
24th of February, instant, I sent to you the following telegram:
“Revolutionists took Tegucigalpa Thursday night. Vasquez escaped with
few men. Bonilla provisional President. Thirty-one days of siege.
Some Americans escaped with Vasquez; all others safe.”
To-day I forward to you the following telegram:
“Can you not arrange to come here and stay a month or two? There are
likely to be difficulties, and I consider your presence necessary.
Wire me at once.”
The mail will likely go out by way of Puerto Cortez next Saturday. My
letter sent on the 19th did not get through.
On the night of the 22d instant the revolutionists took this city,
and Bonilla came in on the morning of the 23d as provisional
President. All the departments of the [Page 307] Republic are in the hands of the revolutionists,
so they say, except Amapala, and news is expected daily of the
delivery of that port.
Gen. Vasquez escaped with a small force, in which were several
Americans, and now, no doubt, he is in Salvador.
There have been no executions, but Bonilla has informed me that it is
his intention to exile all foreigners who fought against him. Some
American property has been destroyed or injured, and for these
reasons I am very anxious that you come here at once. If your
presence was ever needed, now is the time.
I have had nothing from Washington for two months, nor have I heard
from you. No mails have entered or left. Probably the correspondence
which has been on the way will arrive some time in the future.
Everything now seems to be quiet, but I am afraid that difficulties
will arise as soon as the new Government gets settled down a
little.
I will add a line on Saturday if anything occurs of interest.
I am, etc.,
James J. Peterson,
U. S. Consul.
[Inclosure 4 in No. 75.]
Mr. Peterson to
Mr. Young.
Consulate of the United States,
Tegucigalpa, March 9, 1894.
Sir: I have to report to you that
yesterday, March 8, I forwarded to you the following telegram: “When
will you come here? It is extremely necessary for you to be here.
Telegraph me at once.”
To-day I forward to you two telegrams, as follows:
“Americans who took part in revolution in favor of Vasquez threatened
with expulsion. Have received numerous reclamations. Situation
urgent. Can you not come here at once? Have received nothing from
you. Telegraph me at once and do not delay coming.”
“Am informed that this provisional Government has filed complaint
against me for becoming witness to a reclamation made by Guatemalan
citizen. Do you know anything of it? Am strictly conforming to law,
and not overstepping my duties. American interests in danger, and
your personal presence extremely necessary. Come via Amapala.”
Before going further, I will say that I have frequently telegraphed
you, and the telegram from Mr. Pringle, reported in my last letter
to you, is the only intimation I have had that anything has been
received. Of all my telegrams I have sent you a verification by
letter, and if all have not been received someone should be held
responsible, because of the principle that diplomatic and consular
correspondence should be inviolate.
Now, in explanation of the above telegrams, I have to say:
- 1.
- I have received from several American citizens complaints
of imprisonment, robbery, and maltreatment, so I have
thought that if you would come here and examine these things
in person, with the assistance I can give you, their
adjustment can be very much simplified and also advanced;
therefore I have telegraphed you that it is extremely
necessary that you come here.
- 2.
- I have been officially informed, but not in writing, by
Policarpo Bonilla, the provisional President, himself, that
it is his proposal to expel from his country all Americans
who took part in favor of Vasquez. A number of foreigners,
among whom are Americans, took part for him (Bonilla) for
whom he showed nothing but “the greatest consideration,” the
question resolving itself into “Whose ox has been gored?”
Some of these Americans have property interests in Honduras,
which must necessarily suffer if they have to leave. Bonilla
says, however, that he will give them a reasonable time to
settle up their business. How can a mining business be
settled up “in a reasonable time” if that time is not,
probably, extended to years instead of months?
The probable suffering of these interests is another reason why I am
anxious for you to come to Tegucigalpa.
Among the men mentioned as belonging to the above category are J. P.
Imboden, E. A. Burke, H. C. Barnhart, Charles Cadalso, and
others.
The above, I think, explains my telegrams, and I am anxiously waiting
for an answer from you to the effect that you will come here at
once.
These people know that I am not in “a diplomatic capacity,” and all I
do is carefully watched, and probably exceptions will be taken to my
actions.
From documents published within the last few days I learn that
Bonilla organized his cabinet as long ago as the 24th of December,
1893, and was recognized by Nicaragua [Page 308] as the “true Government of Honduras.” I send to
you by this mail some publications.
As the mail goes by Puerto Cortes to-morrow—or at least they say so—I
will close and probably add a line to-morrow.
I am, etc.,
James J. Peterson,
U. S. Consul.
[Inclosure 5 in No. 75.]
Mr. Peterson to
Mr. Young.
Consulate of the United States,
Tegucigalpa, March 10, 1894.
Sir: I have to further report to you that
in an interview had with Mr. Bonilla yesterday, after writing my
letter to you, he (Bonilla), after informing me that he had seen and
read all the messages I have forwarded to you, complained that he
was misrepresented in various ways in my telegrams, or that you
would interpret them to his discredit and disadvantage.
He wanted to know, first, what American interests were in danger, and
in what respect. I told him, first, that I did not acknowledge his
right to question me concerning my official communications or my
official acts; that I was responsible only to my own Government for
them, but in the interests of good feeling, and to satisfy him that
I was right, I would explain.
I then pointed him to the fact that I have on file in my office four
claims from Americans for personal, damages inflicted by his
people—his decision to expel a number of Americans from his
territory—nearly all of which Americans have more or less of
property interests, and that if the welfare and property of
Americans were not American interests, I did not properly understand
my “mother tongue.” I submitted to him that the damages sustained by
the above-mentioned persons, and the probable ruin of their business
in the country, certainly placed “American interests in danger.”
He then complained that I have urged you to come here to get him and
his Government in possible difficulties. I explained that your
coming here would have the opposite effect; that amicable
settlements of all these matters could most likely be made, as well
to his advantage as to that of the Americans concerned; that I was
sure that justice would be done to him as well as demanded from
him.
He then spoke of that part of my telegram saying that I had heard
that he had complained of my action in the hotel matter, but he
denied that, and I am sure that I had been misinformed as to the
matter.
He then informed me that in view of the fact of your probable coming
he would do nothing as to the settlement of the cases of the
Americans who, fought against him; but that those who were already
out of the country must stay out and those who are in must stay in,
until you come, and the matter can be settled determinately. This
decision in itself works a hardship upon many, who can not attend to
their business nor even go to their various temporary homes. He
refuses to give passports or any other writing giving
guaranties.
The interview was conducted and closed in a very amicable manner,
Bonilla assuring me of his personal consideration and his desire to
do justice to all and avoid diplomatic difficulties with the United
States.
He urged that you come soon, and if you can not come that you secure
for me special instructions to treat with him concerning all these
matters.
To-day I forward you the following telegram:
“President informs me that he will defer action as to expulsion of
Americans and adjustment of claims until you arrive or I receive
special instructions and authority. Cases are urgent. Wire me what I
may expect. Report of complaint against me untrue.”
Amapala has been surrendered to the provisional Government. As far as
I am able to learn, the entire Republic has now acknowledged
allegiance to Bonilla.
American mining interests at Yuscaran are entirely suspended.
American company at San Juancito is still ruuning. Business of all
kinds is very much stagnated.
I close this letter urging you to come here and take personal charge
of the situation.
I am, etc.,
James J. Peterson,
U. S. Consul.
Postscript.—Since writing the above the
provisional President, Mr. Bonilla, sent for me and requested me
to withdraw the telegram, last mentioned above, until I should
receive answers from you to those of yesterday and the day
before, saying [Page 309] that he
is of the opinion that yon may understand them badly, and
another official telegram from me before explaining those first
sent might involve difficulties.
In consideration of his request, and upon his promising to have
his director-general of telegraphs wire to Guatemala hastening
the answers, I consented and withdrew the telegram mentioned; so
it has not been and may not be dispatched.
I am, etc.,
James J. Peterson,
U. S. Consul.
[Inclosure 6 in No. 75.]
Mr. Peterson to
Mr. Pringle.
Consulate of the United States,
Tegucigalpa, March 12, 1894.
Sir: To-day I forward to you the telegram,
of which I inclose a copy, after submitting it to Bonilla himself,
who is cognizant of the facts.
The urgency of the case is that these men can not return to the
country, and their business interests are suffering for lack of
attention.
Bonilla seems willing to settle the difficulties in an amicable
manner, but wants to do it in a way which will be binding on all
parties, so as to prevent future reclamations.
He seems determined to expel all who took part against him—that is,
all foreigners—but wishes to give them each sufficient time to
settle up their business.
I am anxiously awaiting instructions in these matters, as some of
these men seem to think that I am slow in giving them aid, but I am
doing the best I can.
I am, etc.,
James J. Peterson,
U. S. Consul.
[Inclosure 7 in No.
75.—Telegram.]
Mr. Peterson to
Mr. Pringle.
Tegucigalpa, March 12,
1894.
Explain former telegrams as follows: Burke, Crow, Cadalso, and others
left with Vasquez and are in Salvador. Cleaney and McMurdo left, but
I don’t know where they are. Imboden and the Barnharts are here, but
in limbo. Property of these men suffering because they can not
attend to it Government willing to give time and opportunity to each
to settle business and then leave the Republic, but wishes to deal
with minister, or party duly authorized. Five claims for damages to
person and property have been filed with me.
These claims must be investigated, and if minister were here in
person, or if I were duly authorized, I think all could be settled
amicably and without diplomatic adjustment. The five claimants were
noncombatants. Satisfactory arrangements, I think, can be made to
the Americans compromised, provided it be done in a legal and
binding manner. All other American interests safe and guaranteed.
Report of complaint against me untrue. Matters above mentioned must
remain in statu quo until minister comes or I
am authorized to treat authoritatively. Therefore, I have urged
minister to come here.
