813.00 Tacoma: Telegram

The Minister in Guatemala ( Geissler ) to the Secretary of State

66. I called on President Orellana yesterday and informed him as instructed. He states that Guatemalan Government has not intervened and will not intervene in domestic affairs of neighboring countries and that thousands of Salvadoran emigrados are restrained by Guatemala. He stated that he believes he had right [Page 575] to sell a quantity of arms to the Honduran Government some three weeks ago. I urged that he carefully avoid everything which might be construed as interference. He stated emphatically that is his earnest desire. I mentioned recent occupation of Alsacia by Guatemala soldiers. Orellana stated that is in territory claimed by Guatemala and that soldiers went to forestall an invasion and have since been withdrawn. Orellana appears absolutely sincere in desire to keep out of Honduras, Nicaragua, Salvadoran controversy relying upon my assurances that the United States would look with disfavor on any infringement of rights of Guatemala. Orellana has no desire to join the conference of the three Central American Presidents20 but I hope earnestly that the Department and the Ministers to those countries will continue the practice of keeping this Legation fully informed so that I may keep President Orellana reassured as to the interests of Guatemala. Above repeated to Legations at Tegucigalpa, Salvador Managua.

Geissler
  1. The conference held on board the S. S. Tacoma; see vol. i, pp. 417 ff.