Hall to Given in the Chamber of the Senate, Managua, March 8, 1885. P. Y CHAMORRO, P. J. RAMON SAENZ, FRANCISCO JIMENEZ, S, March 14, 1885
Mr. Hall to Mr. Bayard.
No. 322.]
Sir: Late in the evening of the 6th instant, at Corinto, Nicaragua, while waiting for the steamer by which I had engaged my passage to Guatemala, I was requested to go to the telegraph station to receive a verbal communication from President Cardenas. It proved to be with reference to a telegram which had been received at Managua from Salvador a few moments before I was called, and to the effect “that information had been received at Salvador that on the previous night, the 5th of March, the National Assembly of Guatemala had ratified a decree of President Barrios, declaring the union, or rather the reunion, of the Central American States under one federal Government, he (President Barrios) assuming the command of all their military forces.”
On my arrival at La Libertad (Salvador) on the 9th instant, I found awaiting me a telegram from President Cardenas, from which it appears that President Barrios had officially communicated the above-mentioned decree to the Governments of the several states. The answers of Nicaragua and Costa Rica are given in the message, and leave no doubt as to the attitude of those Governments.
While at La Libertad I was informed that the Guatemala decree had awakened a feeling of indignation and resistance in Salvador, and reported the same to you from there by the cable. Later in the day, President Zaldivar, hearing that I had gone ashore at La Libertad, sent me a pressing request to visit him. I complied, hoping thereby to obtain some definite information concerning this extraordinary movement.
After a journey of eight hours I reached the capital, San Salvador, about midnight. Here I found a great commotion. I learned also that there had been popular demonstrations of an unmistakable significance, and that the sentiments of all classes, apparently without exception, were intensely hostile to any union with Guatemala.
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The following day, the 10th instant, President Zaldivar telegraphed me, at the port of Acajutla, a transcript of a telegram he had received from President Diaz, of Mexico.
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Upon my return to Guatemala on the 11th instant, I received your telegram of the same date in reply to mine of the 9th from La Libertad.
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On the 12th instant, the day following my return, in response to a courteous request of President Barrios, brought to me by the minister for foreign affairs, Señor Cruz, I called on him and availed myself of the opportunity to make known the purport of your above-mentioned telegram. I inclose a memorandum of our interviews, as dictated by himself to his private secretary. He said, subtantially:
- That the concentration of forces on the frontier of Salvador is not with the intent to invade unless in danger of being invaded.
- That the object is to protect and sustain operations and movements directed to promote the union of Central America.
- That as to the attitude of Mexico, should the Mexican Government interfere, he will accept the challenge.
- That Honduras will assume the same conduct towards Nicaragua that Guatemala assumes toward Salvador.
In consonance with your telegram referred to, I urged upon President Barrios the necessity of carrying out these measures by peaceful means that any other would certainly fail to accomplish his object. Although he made no definite promise or declaration beyond what is expressed in the memorandum, I came away satisfied that he will, if possible, avoid a conflict with Salvador. Whatever influence I may be able to use will be directed to that end; the menacing attitude of Mexico may, however prove an embarrassment.
I further inclose a copy of a circular note from the minister for foreign affairs, received last evening 5 he refers to a telegram from President Diaz of Mexico, which he considers an uncalled for menace of intervention in Central American affairs. The note also contains the first reference I have seen to the agreement which appears to have existed between the Presidents of Guatemala, Salvador, and Honduras.
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I have, &c.,
Memorandum of a conference with President Barrios.
- Concentration of forces on the frontier not with intent to invade unless in danger of being invaded.
- In accordance with article 1 of the decree of February 28, I will begin to protect and sustain all works, operations, and movements directed to promote the union of Central America.
- Having received a cablegram from the President of Mexico, in which he tells me his Government will take action, and I am disposed to repel force by force should it be carried out.
- Honduras will assume the same conduct, and if the Nicaraguans ask for arms, they will be given them as well as money, in accordance with same article 1 of said decree.