File No. 814.032/7
Minister Leavell to
the Secretary of State
No. 364
American Legation,
Guatemala,
March 6, 1917.
Sir: I have the honor to enclose herewith two
copies of the Annual Message presented by His Excellency President
Manuel Estrada Cabrera to the Congress of Guatemala at its opening
session on the first day of March. I also beg leave to transmit
translations of such portions of the message as relate to the United
States.
I have [etc]
[Inclosure—Translation—Extract]
Message of President Manuel
Estrada Cabrera to the Congress
The Finance Commission which the Government of the United States
appointed to return the visit which our Committee made to the
above-named Republic to attend the Pan American Financial Conference
which was held in Washington during the month of May 1915, was
welcomed and entertained during the days the Commission remained in
this country. Ideas were exchanged tending to make closer the
commercial relations of both countries; and in the meeting of the
International High Commission for uniform legislation celebrated
from the 3d to the 12th of April, where we were represented by our
delegates Doctor Juan J. Ortega and Mr. Francisco Sanchez Latour,
matters of importance were discussed and resolutions were taken
looking to the accomplishment of a closer commercial and financial
understanding between the American nations by the use of uniform
methods. The Guatemalan Financial Commission is at present studying
the above-named resolutions and is already in touch, through the
channel of the Central Executive Council at Washington, with the
proper Committees operating in the other Republics of the Continent.
* * *
I saw with deep concern the development of events which nearly caused
a state of war between the United States and Mexico on account of
the difficulties created by the occurrences which took place on the
boundary line between the two countries, a concern which was turned
into gratification on learning that the respective governments had
arrived at an understanding which reconciled their mutual
interests.
Guatemala continues to cultivate with the United States of North
America the most frank and cordial relations on the traditional
foundation of friendship and mutual respect. The Great American
Nation reelected to the Presidency in November last, the Honorable
Woodrow Wilson; and the Guatemalan Government, wishing to give a new
proof of its sympathy with the Government and people of that
Republic, resolved that an Extraordinary Mission should attend in
the name of Guatemala the solemn inauguration ceremonies prefacing
the Second Presidential Term of Mr. Wilson.
The personnel of the Commission provided for in the Treaty of Peace
entered into with the United States on September 20, 1913, was
completed by Guatemala. * * *
