Papers Relating to the Foreign Relations of the United States, With the Address of the President to Congress December 8, 1914

File No. 814.032/4.

Minister Leavell to the Secretary of State.

No. 27.]

American Legation,
Guatemala, March 11, 1914.

Sir: I have the honor to forward to the Department a copy of the Message that the President of Guatemala sent to the National Legislature when it convened on March 1, together with an English translation of that part of it which relates especially to the United States.

I have [etc.]

Wm. Hayne Leavell

.

[Inclosure—Translation—Extract.]

[Untitled]

Our relations with the United States of America have been maintained on the same footing of cordiality and mutual respect, a fitting foundation upon which these relations have always rested. His Excellency Woodrow Wilson having been elected by the will of his fellow citizens to the Presidency of the Great Republic, this eminent statesman, leader of the Democratic Party, entered upon the duties of ruling his people; and my Government, desirous of manifesting the affection which it feels for that friendly nation, was represented in the inauguration ceremonies of the new Government, to which it is united with the closest links. His Excellency President Wilson, on several solemn occasions, has expressed the ideals of his Government to the end of increasing the political and friendly relations between the United States and the Central American States, which are on the threshold of a new life of development and prosperity due to the early opening of the Panama Canal. The policy of peace of the American Government is demonstrated by valuable proofs, among others by the treaty of peace to which all the nations of the world have been invited to adhere and which was signed by Guatemala in proper time. It is agreed upon by the convention to submit to an international commission, for its investigation and report, all the disputes which might arise between both Republics.

In the month of March of last year various parts of the United States suffered by great floods, and owing to this fact the People and Government of Guatemala sent their sympathy to the American Government.

The invitation of the American Government for Guatemala to take part in the Panama-Pacific International Exposition of San Francisco, California, was accepted, and our Diplomatic Representative in the United States was instructed to receive the deed to the site where our pavilion is to be built, and where our products and manufactures are to be exhibited. Certain ceremonies took place on this occasion, which made evident the friendly relations which happily exist between both nations.