714.1515/557: Telegram
The Honduran Acting Minister for Foreign Affairs (Coello) to the Secretary of State
[Received 11:30 p.m.]
Guatemalan military forces have unexpectedly invaded Honduran territory and taken prisoner the commander of the Chachahualia post that was established as far back as 1917 and put in its place a Guatemalan guard. In answer to a protest of Honduran Government Guatemala alleges works started by the Cuyamel Fruit Company but the Honduran Government forbade in good time the work that had been started without authority and gave assurances to Guatemala that it would not be resumed. So my Government regards as unwarranted and unnecessary the act of violence of the Government of Guatemala which it has asked immediately to withdraw the Chachahualia forces. As the American Government has been acting as mediator between the two countries in the boundary dispute and as the present attitude of Guatemala may leave room for a serious encroachment on that peace in which your government has taken so noble an interest, I venture to urge the influence and mediation of the Department towards restoring the status quo ante between Honduras and Guatemala by vacating the invaded places and withdrawing the forces that menace the border. Honduras would be glad later to accept a well defined neutral line to be surveyed and fixed by the American Government pending the final settlement of the boundary dispute. The Honduran [Page 715] Government will be very thankful if the American Government will take action that will be decisive to avert graver consequences. I beg Your Excellency to accept my high consideration.