The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1848-02-07

AGairs In Wsshington.


eminent and Yucafan.
The business of the commissioner OF iucatan
with this government has been variously, and In
most cases, untruy stated. The history OF NJ Ser
ras mission, and that of his predecessor, Mr. Ro'
bra has been misunderstood, and strangely mis-
represented. On this account, aud not because
of any intrinsic importance attached to the mis-
sion of those gentlemen, summary of the facts
may be interesting.
Previous TO 1921, Yucatan was, like Mexico,
Spanish colony; and on the contamination Of
the independence of Mexico, it became an in
tegral portion of that nation. From the disso-
luton of the empire, founded by Don Augustin
de lturbide, until the formation of the pact which
bound together the United Mexican States, in
October, 1924, Yucatan remained independent,
administering her government, in the meantime,
on republican principles. The compact Of con-
federation having been accepted by her, she be.
came incorporated in the Mexican republic, and
so renamed until 1910, when her people, unable
longer TO endure the expressions of the central
government, and the abuses committed against
their interests and honor by the military fac.
tions, to whose unfortunate rule the republic
was SO long subjected, broke out in instruction,
and formed for themselves an independent con-
stituiion The government of Mexico endea-
vored in vain TO reduce Yucatan to submission
and, finally, that little State wrested from Mex
leo a peace on its own terms. This peace
was based on the convention of December,
Ii, lS4S, which secured to Yucatan many advan
iages she had not before enjoyed, and relieved
her from many expressions from which she had,
since her first incorporation severely suffered
By tie conditions of this peace she became again
incorporated with the Mexican republic, and so
remained until January l, 1916, when she again
solemnly renounced her connexion with the
supreme government, and declared her indepen-
dence. One of the causes which led to this STEP
was the violation by Santa Anna of the conven.
tion of December IS4S, causing, by his order of
February 81, 1874, the ports of the republic to
be closed against the productions Of Yucatan,
and subjecting that State to many harrasslng
vexations. Another was the refusal of the
Chamber of Deputies to recognize the conven-
ton of December 1S43, as of any effect. These
proceedings, and a renewal of the hardships she
had before endured, reused Yucatan to fling off
the yoke of the supreme government, and to con-
woke a congress for the purpose of taking mea-
sures to secure her future independence.
Then followed the war between Mexico and
against this country, was solicited by Mexico,
through the agent of the latter, Don Juan Carno,
and was promptly refused. Up to the 25,h of
August, 1916, Yucatan continued voluntarily to
maintain her neutrality in this war, and during
al that time was accordingly treated, in all re-
spects, as neutral by the government of the
United States. In the meantime, Santa Anna
who was an exile at Havana, intrigued with
some OF the principal Yucatecoes, and by repre-
senung that Paroles was attempting to establish
foreign monarchy in Mexico, and that he him
self (Santa Anna) could, if restored TO power
succeed in making an honorable peace with this
government, instigated them to call an extraor-
binary congress, and to issue the decree
OF August rs, 1885,. whereby Yucatan was
the United States, and Santa Anna was
proclaimed President Of the Mexican repub-
nc. This decree was PASSED by. the party
then IN power IN Yucatan. without the
cember, 1916, issued pronunciamento, declar.
Ing their determination not TO cooperate with
Mexico In the war against the United States,
but to MAINTAIN strict neutrality. The present
Ganlzed. Immediately thereafter, Don Jose Ro.
bra was commissioned by the new government
70 proceed to this city, for the purpose of re-esta
blshng friendly and commercial relations with
the United States. AT this time there were two
contendIng partiesin Yucatan, and it was doubt
iul which would gam the mastery M. Robira
on presenting himself here and declaring the
wishes of his government, was informed by the
Secretary of State first, that as long as Yucca
tan had maintained neutrality she was treated
as neutral nation, and her rights as such
scruJP,uously respected by the United States. Sc
decree of August, 1876, into state Of hostility
TO the United States, and that the latter were
Obliged, accordingly, to treat her bellige-
of Yucstan to restore her to her former posi-
ton OF neutrality, had not yet proved COM
pletely successful; and that under these cir
cumstauces, all this government could do would
forces of the United States in the Gulf of Mexi.
co, to treat Yucatan again as a neutral whenever
such officer should be satisfied that those deter
mined to MAINTAIN a neutral position were firmly
established In the government of that State and
that the officer, besides being required to be tho
roughly satisfied OF the bona Jtide neutrality of
fucatan, should also be instructed to renew hos
tile operations against Yucatan, in case he
should, at any fut ure time discover a contraband
trade In arms and munitions of war carried on
by the Yucatecoes against Mexico. These in
structions were at once issued by the Secretary
OF the Navy, and acted upon by the officer in COM
mand Of the naval forces in the Gulf.
The determination OF this government was
communicated to Mr.. Roblra on the 22d Of Feb.
lsH. Two months previously, the 2lst OF
Dec. 1916, the port of Laguna was uncondltion-
ally surrendered to the naval forces of the Uni
TED States, and has ever since remained in our
possession.
On the 22l of November last, Don Justo Sierra
presented himself at the office of the Secretary
of State, with credentials from the authorities Of
Yucatan, commissioner and special agent to
the government OF the United States MIR. Sierra
in subsequent correspondence, presented ,on be-
halt OF Yucatan, two requests to this govern
ment:-
First That the duties now imposed q. Laguna, under
the authority of the United States on the veses and
productions of Yueatsn, may be abolished
Secondly That the naval forces Of the United States
may cease to occupy the port Of Lsguns and the island
Of Cermen
The first Of these requests has been granted;
with the understanding that the abolition of du-
ductions OF Yucatan carried to Laguna in her
own vessels and that this concession is not to
interfere with the inspection Of such vessels, and
the execution OF the revenue regulations by the
officers OF the United States nor TO sanction
any trade between Laguna and any OF the Next
can ports.
The second-to relinouis oh nossesso, aC 7 .