Rafael Zaldivar to The Diplomatic, April 4, 1885

President Zaldivar to diplomatic corps.

I have received the telegram dated yesterday, in which you are pleased to communicate to me the resolution taken by the Assembly of that Republic declaring null the decree of the 28th of February, in virtue of which and with the noble aim of avoiding bloodshed, the honorable diplomatic corps, earnestly proposes that hostilities be suspended and an armistice of one month be granted.

I give, before all, due thanks to you for the earnest and humane interest which yon manifest, although feeling that the friendly interference of the diplomatic ministers cannot be under the circumstances as efficacious as they desire nor can produce the proposed object.

I recall to you that not only Salvador did not provoke, but on the contrary endeavored to avoid by all possible means the unjust war which Guatemala has made; that confiding in the promise which was made to me through the American minister that the forces of Guatemala would not invade the territory of this republic if on our part we abstained from an invasion, I maintained with the forces of Salvador a defensive attitude, limiting myself to collecting them on the frontier in order to sustain, should occasion arise, the dignity of the Republic, and finally that the three battles which took place in El Coco, San Lorenzo, and Chalchuapa, on Salvadorian territory, are the best proof that not only on our part was fulfilled that which the promise demanded and the laws of civilization in the sad extremity of war, but also we knew how to brilliantly sustain our dignity and independence, repelling with arms the unjustifiable aggression of the Government of Guatemala. But when victory has crowned so splendidly our efforts, when the illustrious blood of so many Salvadorians dead on the field of battle has irrigated the soil of liberty, when the death of General Barrios places the stamp on our triumphs at the same time that it punishes the rash boldness of that military chief, would it be possible that I myself should eclipse the glories of Salvador, that I should render in vain the noble blood which has been shed, and deprive the Republic and all Central America of the advantages which it is in a position to obtain, and in the right to exact in order to insure its tranquillity, to indemnify itself for its heroic sacrifices and to prevent fresh attempts?

I think that the honorable diplomatic corps cannot desire it thus, all the more as this would be the sole result to which would lead the suspension of hostilities for a month which they propose to me in the telegram of yesterday which I am answering; on no account, the interests of Salvador and her allies bind me, and the most holy duty imposes on me not to take truce nor rest until the ministry of General Barrios disappears from the political scene of that Republic, until Salvador and her allies receive a complete satisfaction and that they be indemnified to the extent possible for the expenses and sacrifices to which they have been driven in consequence of the decree of the 28th of last February.

Without rejecting, therefore, the friendly offices of the honorable diplomatic corps, whom on the contrary I thank sincerely, I hope, in order to make them efficacious in behalf of peace, avoiding further bloodshed, they may be carried out in the sense above indicated, serving as intermediary and as guarantee for the settlement of the conditions which will put a definite and advantageous stop to hostilities. I must state that neither Salvador nor her allies conceal any hostile intent against the brother people of Guatemala, whose fate interests them as much as their own, and that they only desire to treat concerning the conditions of a peace in which they can freely manifest their wishes, and to exercise by the same means their rights, this being from now the only object for which the forces of this republic are kept together.

I am, &c.,