File No. 10793/20.
Chargé Sands to the Secretary of State.
Guatemala City , February 21, 1908 .
Sir: I have the honor to report that Gen. George W. Davis, United States Army, retired, special delegate of the United States to the ceremonies attending the opening of the Inteorceanic Railway of Guatemala, left this capital on the 10th instant by special steamer for Colon, Republic of Panama.
Gen. Davis’s high rank, and the knowledge in this country of his many distinguished services, gave to the ceremonies a decidedly American character. Gen. Davis and his party attended with the President many functions to which no other diplomats or special delegates were invited.
President Estrada Cabrera made every effort to show his appreciation of the choice of Gen. Davis as delegate of the United States, and to make his stay in Guatemala agreeable and interesting. He could have done no more, with the resources at his disposal, if the Secretary of State had come to this country.
The choice of Gen. Davis for this mission was in every way a happy one. His reputation, his appearance, his rank, and his real services and sound judgment of men, and in particular of the inhabitants of Latin-American countries insured a real respect, which has done a great deal of good to American interests in Guatemala. If I may be permitted to express an opinion, the department could not have chosen more wisely.
[Page 407]His speeches, of which he has sent copies to the department with his report, were well received by all parties. The administration is flattered with this attention on the part of the United States, and the opposition is pleased with the dignified and soldierly bearing with which he has received the attentions of President Cabrera, which they interpret to mean “that he has not been blinded by flattery,” while the American colony is flattered by the real respect and esteem which has been expressed by all who knew Gen. Davis during the month of his stay in this Republic.
Gen. Davis’s mission has been eminently successful.
I have, etc.,