File No. 763.72/9748
The Guatemalan Minister ( Méndez) to the Secretary of State
[Received April 24.]
Mr. Secretary of State: On the date of this day I received from the President of Guatemala a cablegram reading as follows:
Minister of Guatemala, Washington. By a decree of this day of the National Legislative Assembly, Guatemala assumes the same attitude of belligerency as the United States toward the German Empire. M. Estrada C[abrera].
In having the honor to transmit to Your Excellency the President’s telegram and pending receipt of a copy of the decree of the National Legislative Assembly, I am as ever glad to express to Your Excellency the determination of the Government of Guatemala, voicing the wishes of the people, to stand by the side of the United States in the defence of the rights of America and mankind which German autocracy in its effort to substitute military despotism for liberty and civilization in the world is threatening more harshly and tenaciously every day.
Guatemala, like the United States, will maintain its belligerency until a lasting peace founded on the respect of Eight and Justice may be established for the guaranty of nations.
I avail myself [etc.]