File No. 9160/38.
Chargé Sands to the Acting Secretary of State.
Guatemala, October 29, 1907.
Sir: Referring to my Nos. 15, October 14, and 22, October 21, concerning the assault on certain American negroes at Zacapa, by Gen. Ariz, the civil and military governor of that department, and several [Page 412] officers, I have the honor to report that I received in a personal interview the assurance of President Cabrera that the case should be terminated at once, and satisfactorily to the legation.
Immediately after this interview the minister for foreign affairs came to the legation to ask me to fix an indemnity for the injured men, which their assailants would be made to pay, in addition to the sentence imposed upon them by the court which has the case in charge at Zacapa.
I have consented to bring these negroes to Guatemala and shall carefully ascertain if they have suffered any loss, or injury which would cause them loss, before accepting the minister’s proposition to indemnify them.
It has been my object to have the court at Zacapa act spontaneously and without pressure from the legation, in according full protection to these Americans.
I have, etc.,