decree no. 323., the 15th of April, 1885

decree no. 323.

Manuel L. Barillas, general of brigade, in charge of the Presidency of the Republic, in exercise of the executive power, considering:

• First. That by virtue of the revocation of the decree of 28th February, in which the Central American Union was proclaimed in the form therein expressed, and that by the death of the Bene-Merito, General Don J. Rufino Barrios, who for carrying out the same had assumed the military command of Central America, the causes that placed this Republic in a state of war with the Republics of Salvador, Nicaragua, and Costa Rica have ceased;
• Second. That under such circumstances it becomes a patriotic duty to attract the peoples by sentiments of fraternity and concord, so that they may enjoy the blessings of peace the first and most imperious of necessities;
• Third. That the Governments of the Republics of Central America are animated by identical ideas as regards matters of such vital interest, and the Governments of Salvador, Nicaragua, and Costa Rica by mutual accord having made a peace with the Republic of Honduras, which adhered to the proclamation of the President of Guatemala;
• Fourth. That through the friendly mediation of the honorable diplomatic corps ac credited to Central America a perfect understanding with the Government of Salvador has been readily obtained, and the honorable bases of a firm and lasting peace between both Republics and the allies of the latter having been agreed to:
• Therefore, in the exercise of the authority conceded to the Executive by decree No. 99 of the Legislative Assembly, and in accord with the council of ministers, I decree:
  • Article 1. Be it declared that the Republic of Guatemala, from to-day, returns to the state of peace with her sister and neighbor, the Republic of Salvador, and her allies, the Republics of Nicaragua and Costa Rica.
  • Art. 2. Be it declared that on the part of Guatemala the stipulations of the treaties with the Republic of Salvador as they were on the 28th of February last past are in force, until under the same or more ample bases a new treaty establishing the relations of the two Republics shall be made:
  • Art. 3. Let an ample and secure amnesty be conceded to all Guatemalans implicated in the union cause that the Government proclaimed in its decree of the 28th of February ultimo, and to all Guatemalans now absent for political offenses committed during the six months previous to that date, the Government proposing to issue, as soon as circumstances permit, the decree of general amnesty which has been under study since the present acting executive came into power.
  • Art. 4. Let a note of national gratitude be communicated to the honorable diplomatic corps, accredited to the Republics of Central America, for their friendly and efficient intervention to obtain the re-establishment of peace.
  • Art. 5. Let Sunday next, the 19th instant, be designated for duly solemnizing the re-establishment of peace with Salvador and her allies.
  • Art. 6. The department of foreign relations is charged with the execution of the present decree, of which account shall be given to the Assembly.