File No. 9160/33–36.
Chargé Sands to the Acting Secretary of State.
Guatemala, October 21, 1907.
Sir: Referring to my No. 15 of October 14, in which I reported to the department an assault on several American negroes living at Zacapa, by the civil and military governor at that place, and others, I have the honor to inform you that having heard nothing from the minister for foreign affairs of the investigation he had promised, I told His Excellency that unless I received prompt assurance that the Zacapa court was acting in this matter, I would be obliged to present a formal complaint against the governor, based upon reports and affidavits I had received through the consulate general.
I informed His Excellency that I had endeavored to avoid such action, as I would regret exceedingly to think that American citizens were only protected by the courts of Guatemala when the American representative demanded protection for them, and that this legation would prefer to have the courts act in the matter upon their own initiative, and without our official intervention.
Mr. Barrios replied that he would give me full details as soon as he had them, and that he could assure me that a severe sentence would be passed upon the culprits, and that Gen. Ariz would be removed from office.
I inclose copies of papers received from the consulate general concerning the case.1
I have, etc.,
- Not printed.↩