Fernando Cruz to Hall, March 13, 1885
Señor Cruz to Mr. Hall.
Sir: I have the honor to bring to your notice that General Barrios, having communicated to the President of the United States of Mexico the proclamation made in the decree of the 28th February of the union of Central America, he received from him in reply the cablegram which literally reads:
“Mexico, March 10, 1885.
“General J. Rufino Barrios: Your telegram received 7th instant. The resolution taken exclusively by assembly of that Republic is repulsed with energy by the Government and peoples of the other Central American Republics, according to telegrams which I have received from Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Salvador.
“This circumstance and the growing impression which the news causes with the Mexican people will influence the action which the Government under my charge has to take before an emergency which is a threat against the independence and freedom of the nationalities of this continent.
“PORFIRIO DIAZ.”
By a telegram, after the 7th instant, the Congress of Honduras agreed with the Government, and, seconding the wish of that people, proclaimed the Central American Union, adhering in full to the proclamation of Guatemala. Dr. Zaldivar, in a telegram of March 6, which has already been published, congratulated General Barrios and the nation for the decree which he has issued concerning nationality. He confirmed what he had said to him, and then repeated it, that they were influenced by the same fate, and assured him that with the means which he could dispose of he would find him fully agreed to second this great idea.
Up to date no answer has been received from Costa Rica, and only the Government of Nicaragua has manifested its declared opposition to the union which is proclaimed; but it is certain that the people of that State as well as those of the others are openly decided for the union, so that any resistance will be from those who figure in those Governments.
On the other hand, Guatemala does not admit, neither can admit, that any other Government shall arrogate this attitude of intervention which the cablegram supposes, in a matter purely Central American, and which has for object to re-establish the union and the nationality which formerly existed, and to which the people desire to return.
Considering the above, if there be really constituted a threat against the independence and the freedom of the nationalities of this continent, and against which it is protested forthwith, it would be the deed of intervention and a hostile attitude toward the Union which it is desired to realize, and the wish to dictate what should or should not be done.
Fully assured that your illustrious Government will agree with that of Guatemala on the subject, and deeming it indispensable and fitting to give it notice of it, I beg of your excellency to communicate it, and I would esteem it greatly that you, should it be possible, would do so by means of the cable.
I am, &c.,