No. 77.

No. 239.]

Mr. Bayard to Mr. Hall.

DEPARTMENT OF STATE,
Washington, April 16, 1885.

SIR: I herewith transmit, for your information, having regard to previous correspondence, the inclosed copy of a letter from the Acting Secretary of the Navy, of the 20th ultimo, in regard to the destitute Americans in Guatemala.

I am, &c.,

T. F. BAYARD.

[Inclosure in No. 239.1

Mr. Walker to Mr. Bayard.

NAVY DEPARTMENT, Washington, March 20, 1885.

SIR: I have the honor to transmit herewith a communication from Rear-Admiral James E. Jouett, commanding the United States naval force on the North Atlantic station, covering a dispatch with accompanying documents from Commander Wiltse, of the Swatarą, with regard to the destitute Americans in Guatemala.

These papers are sent you for the information of the Department of State, and after their perusal I have to request that they may be returned to this Department. Very respectfully,

J. G. WALKER, Acting Secretary of the Navy

[Inclosures in inclosure in No. 239.]

Rear-Admiral Jouett to Mr. Whitney.

NORTH ATLANTIC STATION,

UNITED STATES FLAGSHIP TENNESSEE (FIRST RATE),

New Orleans, La., March 26, 1885.

SIR: I have the honor to inform the Department that the U. S. S. Swatara arrived here from Livingston, Guatemala, at half-past 4 o'clock yesterday afternoon.

I forward herewith a copy of Commander Wiltse's report in regard to the destitute Americans in Guatemala, and also a copy of the proclamation issued by President Barrios; also letter from United States consular agent to Commander Wiltse.

I take pleasure in stating that Commander Wiltse has performed the duty on which he was sent to Guatemala in a very prompt and thorough manner.

I am, &c.,

Commander Wiltse to Rear-Admiral Jouett.

JAS. E. JOUETT.

U. S. S. SWATARA (THIRD RATE),
Livingston, Guatemala, March 19, 1885.

SIR: I have the honor to report that in obedience to your order of the 4th instant the Swatara sailed from New Orleans on the 5th and arrived off Livingston, Guatemala, on the 13th. I immediately placed myself in communication with our consular agent, Mr. Sarg, and the jefe politico, Don José Maria Ardon, in reference to the distressed and sick American citizens and foreigners in and about Livingston and Port Barrios. I also appointed a board of officers, consisting of Surgeon T. N. Penrose and Lieut. T. T. Wood, to investigate the claims of these distressed people in Livingston, Port Barrios, and vicinity. I found 78 distressed and suffering people in need of medicine, &c., whom I took on board ship.

Many complaints were made by the workmen against the contractors of the railroad of ill-treatment and non-payment. These were strongly denied by the contractors.

It is difficult to form a correct opinion of the matter, but I think that there are faults on both sides. The jefe politico, Don José Maria Ardon, of this department assured me that he would use every effort in his power to have the rights of American citizens protected by the laws of the country.

In the performance of this duty our consular agent, Mr. Sarg, rendered me great assistance. But for the timely arrival of the ship, I think a great many of the men I have on board would have died.

President Barrios of Guatemala has issued a decree declaring the union of the five Central American States, Guatemala, Honduras, Salvador, Nicaragua, and Costa Rica. I inclose his decree. I think that this act will eventually lead to a war between these states.

I inclose herewith the report of the board of officers; also a copy of a letter addressed to me by the American consular agent.

I shall sail for New Orleans this afternoon.

I am, &c.,

G. C. WILTSE,

Commander, United States Navy, Commanding.

Lieutenant Wood and Surgeon Penrose to Commander Wiltse.

U. S. S. SWATARA (THIRD RATE),
Off Livingston, Guatemala, March 19, 1885.

SIR: In obedience to your order of the 13th instant, a copy of which is hereto appended, marked A, directing us to ascertain the condition of the destitute American and foreign citizens in the vicinity of Livingston and Puerto Barrios, Guatemala, &c., we beg to state that we have performed the duty assigned us, and respectfully submit the following report:

On the 14th instant we visited Livingston and inquired into the condition of all those presenting themselves for examination at that place. A preliminary statement was immediately made to you of their condition. Those needing it were prescribed for at the time of our visit, and food and medicine were sent on shore for their use pending your decision in their cases.

On the 16th instant, having received information from Mr. Sarg, the United States consular agent at Livingston, that others had arrived at that place, they were visited and their condition inquired into, and you were duly made acquainted with the facts pertaining to their cases.

On the 17th instant 38 men found at Livingston, Guatemala, were received on board this ship, and, after being washed, were supplied with clean clothing, mattresses, and blankets. All requiring it were placed under medical treatment immediately.

On the morning of the 18th, the Swatara proceeded to Puerto Barrios, Guatemala, and we immediately proceeded on shore and inquired into the condition of all those presenting themselves before us for examination. A preliminary statement of their cases was

also made and presented to you for your decision.

On the 19th instant, 40 men were received on board from Puerto Barrios. Many of them were sick. After receiving a bath they were supplied with clean clothing and blankets; mattresses were also furnished until the supply was exhausted. Nearly all of these men were immediately placed under medical treatment.

In conclusion we beg to state that we were informed by Captain Grant, the chief manager of the railroad, who has but recently assumed control there, that everything will be done to further the interests of all workingmen connected with the road; a better hospital will soon be erected on higher ground near Sulphur Springs; that there are at this time no destitute persons there, as employment can be found for all those desiring it. This gentleman also stated that when men were taken sick they would be supplied with hospital treatment, and in cases where men are not likely to recover in that climate they would be sent back to New Orleans at the company's expense; that he had already sent 48 men back before our arrival.

In this connection we wish to state that from all reports received by us regarding the accommodations for the sick, as at present provided in the hospital not far distant from Puerto Barrios, they are to our minds entirely insufficient and unworthy the name. We desire to acknowledge our indebtedness to Captain Grant and Consular Agent Sarg for assistance rendered us during our investigations.

Very respectfully, &c.,

THOMAS N. PENROSE,

Surgeon, United States Navy. THEO. T. WOOD,

Lieutenant, United States Navy.

Commodore Willse to Surgeon Penrose and Lieutenant Wood.

U. S. S. SWATARA (THIRD RATE), Livingston, Guatemala, March 13, 1885. GENTLEMEN: You are hereby appointed a board to ascertain the condition of the destitute American citizens and foreigners in the vicinity of Livingston and Puerto Barrios, Guatemala.

You will find out those who are in immediate need of food, clothing, and medicine, also those who desire to return to New Orleans, and report the result of your investigations to me.

I am, &c.,

G. C. WILTSE, Commander, United States Navy.

Mr. Sarg to Commander Wiltse.

UNITED STATES CONSULAR AGENCY,

Livingston, March 18, 1885.

SIR: I beg leave to congratulate you on the satisfactory completion and eminent success of your mission to this port in command of the U. S. S. Swatara.

The board of officers set down by you on the 13th instant, the day of your arrival, composed of Dr. T. N. Penrose and Lieut. T. T. Wood, has investigated the physical and sanitary condition of destitute and sick Americans and men of other nationalities who have been here and at Port Barrios in utter distress, anxious to return to the United States.

Prompted by a generous feeling so well becoming a representative of our wealthy nation you have furnished me with provisions to be distributed to these hungry unfortunates, and have offered them a free passage to New Orleans, without discrimination of nationality. You sail to-morrow with 78 of these men, who are deeply impressed with a sense of gratitude for this noble action on the part of the United States Government, and for the kindness received at your hands and those of your officers.

The causes of complaint which actuated your mission have been largely diminished by the fact that the entire management of the Guatemala Northern Railroad has been laid into the hands of Captain Grant, a Southern railroad engineer of high reputation, humane principles, and a thorough understanding of the race and class of men fitted for work in this climate. This gentleman has assured me that far from seeing a detrimental effect to his undertaking in the return of these distressed men, who in many instances have come out at his expense, he feels grateful to see them leave the country.

You have met the civil and military governor of this department of the "Free Zone," Don José Maria Ardon, and have received from him the verbal assurance that the rights and interests of American citizens will be always protected, particularly in cases where the laws of the country do so distinctly, and thereby avoid giving rise to grievances which have tended in the latter time to make my intercourse with him disagreeable and the cause of complaint. This functionary has requested me to communicate to you his gratification at seeing all questions cordially settled, and of having avoided a stain on the friendly relations existing with the United States, which are highly prized by his Government. Outside and above accomplishing all this, the moral effect produced by the appearance of the Swatara in this port can hardly be overrated. She is the first reppresentative of the United States naval power that has shown upon this bay since more than forty years. You have had occasion to observe that there reside here a number of enterprising Americans, men of good social standing. All have expressed to me their great satisfaction at seeing you here, and wish me to report to headquarters the beneficial effect that the periodical appearance of a United States naval vessel would have on their interests, which are synonymous with those of the United States. I most heartily advocate this sentiment. It is an undeniable fact that a quiet, unostentatious display of power will in these Central American Republics accomplish more than diplomatic

moves.

Allow me, commander, to express to you my admiration of the manner in which you have conducted proceedings. You have undoubtedly been the means of saving the lives of all the distressed men you have on board; you have cultivated friendly feelings with the authorities, and inspired confidence to American residents.

I am, &c.,

JAS. FREDK. SARG.

No. 338.J

No. 78.

Mr. Hall to Mr. Bayard.

LEGATION OF THE UNITED STATES

IN CENTRAL AMERICA,

Guatemala, April 17, 1885. (Received May 16.) SIR: In continuation of my dispatch No. 337 of the 15th instant, I have the honor to report to you the result of the last act of mediation between the Governments of Guatemala and Salvador on the part of the foreign representatives accredited to Central America.

In that dispatch I reported to you the unconditional acceptance by President Zaldivar of the terms of peace submitted to him, at his request, on the 13th instant. This prompt acceptance merited and received from them a proper recognition, which was communicated to him in the following telegram, dated the 15th instant:

The diplomatic corps accredited to Central America greet your Excellency, and in acknowledging the receipt of your courteous telegram, congratulate your Excellency, the Government of Salvador, and the other Republics of Central America upon the satisfactory result of the mediation initiated by the corps in favor of peace.

The same day another telegram from President Zaldivar, addressed to the corps, was received; he transmitted with it a project of a decree declaring peace; a translation is inclosed herewith; he proposed also, that if accepted, it should be published simultaneously by the Governments of the several states. As this project is in consonance with the terms proposed by the diplomatic corps, it was at once submitted to the Guatemalan Government, and as promptly accepted, with the few modifications required by the different conditions existing here.

I inclose also a translation of a note, dated the 15th instant, from the minister for foreign affairs of Guatemala, with which he transmits a copy of the declaratory decree, No. 323, of the Guatemalan Government, issued in consonance with the above-mentioned project.

It is to be hoped that with these declarations of peace between Guatemala and Salvador, which it was proposed should also be made simultaneously by the other states, the difficulties between them will terminate. There is as yet, however, no positive assurance that such will be the result.

I have, &c.,

HENRY C. HALL.

[Inclosure 1 in No. 338.-Translation.] President Zaldivar to the diplomatic corps.

SANTA ANA, April 14, 1885.

As you will readily understand, every hour that passes in this state of war involves sacrifices and difficulties that we should endeavor to terminate as soon as possible, and being already in accord as to the declaration of peace, I take the liberty to submit, through your worthy mediation, to the Government of Guatemala the project of a decree relating to this matter, trusting that, if it should be accepted, I may be informed of the day on which it can be published by both Governments. I have also communicated it to the Governments of Nicaragua and Costa Rica, inviting them to adopt an identical determination.

I am, &c.,

RAFAEL ZALDIVAR.

PROJECT OF DECREE.

The executive power of the Republic of Salvador, considering:

(1) That the causes which placed this Republic in a state of war with the Republic of Guatemala having ceased through the revocation by the assembly of the latter of the decree of the 28th February last past, which proclaimed, de facto, the union of Central America, and by the death of General Don J. Rufino Barrios, who, for the purpose of carrying it out, assumed the military command of this Republic;

(2) That the allied Governments of Nicaragua and Costa Rica are animated by the same ideas in regard to interests of such vital importance, all having been in accord for the celebration of peace with the Republic of Honduras;

(3) That, through the medium of the honorable diplomatic corps accredited to Central America, a perfect understanding with the Government of Guatemala has been reached, the honorable basis of a firm and stable peace between the two Republics having been agreed to:

Therefore, in the exercise of the powers with which he is invested, he decrees: ARTICLE 1. Be it declared that the Republic of Salvador returns to-day to peace with her sister and neighbor Republic, Guatemala.

ART. 2. Be it declared on the part of Salvador that the stipulations of the treaties with the Republic of Guatemala are in force as they were on the 28th of February last past, until a new treaty shall be made upon the same or more liberal bases, which establish the mutual relations of the two Republics.

ART. 3. Let ample and safe amnesty be conceded to all those Salvadorians who are implicated in the union cause, which the Government of Guatemala proclaimed on the 28th of February, and, generally, to all those Salvadorians now absent on account of political offenses.

ART. 4. Let a note expressive of national gratitude be communicated to the honorable diplomatic corps accredited to the Republics of Central America for their friendly and efficient mediation to obtain the re-establis ment of peace among them.

ART. 5. Let Sunday next, the 19th instant, be designated for due solemnization of the re-establishment of peace with Guatemala.

ART. 6. The department of foreign relations is charged with the execution of the present decree, of which an account shall be given as soon as possible to the Legislative Assembly of the Republic.

Given in the National Palace, &c.

[Inciosure 2 in No. 338.-Translation.]

Señor Arroyo to Mr. Hall.

DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN RELATIONS,
Guatemala, April 15, 1885.

Mr. MINISTER: I have the honor to transmit to you a copy of decree No. 323, which the general in charge of the Presidency of the Republic, in the exercise of the executive power, issued to-day in the council of ministers.

It is very gratifying to me to transmit to you this document, in which you will be pleased to notice that, with great justice, it is disposed to communicate a note of thanks to the honorable diplomatic corps accredited in Central America for their friendly and efficient mediation to obtain the restoration of peace between the Republics of Salvador, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Guatemala.

Be pleased, &c.,

ANGEL MA. ARROYO.

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;