File No. 816.001Ar1.
The American Minister to the Secretary of State.
San Salvador, February 5, 1913.
At half past nine last night while President Araújo was seated in the Parque Bolívar attending a serenade an infamous attack upon his life was made by about five unknown individuals who fired five shots at him and one of the men inflicted upon him a terrible wound with a machete. * * * I called at the Presidential Mansion at eight o’clock this morning and was present while the surgeons were stitching the wound. * * * The surgeons informed me that while the wound is very serious it is not necessarily fatal and they entertain hopes of saving the President’s life. * * * Complete tranquility reigns throughout the Republic and this murderous attack is thought to have no other significance than to remove President Araújo. By a Presidential decree issued today martial law has been declared throughout the Republic of Salvador. * * *