The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1867-12-14

hIszico and Guaten'aia-The Approaching
War and It's Possible Issnes.
The declaration of war by Mexico against
Guatemala illustrates on a small scale the
bclligerent and aggressive ideas which often
take possession Of States inflated by military
successes. Scarcely emerged from her late
struggle for life, and still heaving with those
anarchy since her separation from the parent
State, Mexico should be the last country to
WACO war, especially against sister republic
with whom q friendly alliance is almost essen
tial 10 the permanence Of her own nationality.
Sanguinary disputes and empty bombast seem
Hence we hear of vainglorious Mexican leaders
breathing defiance against the United States,
TO whom they owe their deliverance from the
foreign yoke, while their press INDUCES in
Quixotic speculations upon the possible cap
ture and annexation Of Cuba by Mexico; md
finally, war is declared against Its next door
neighbor, Guatemala. Already forces said to
be several thousand strong have crossed the
Guasemalan frontier, and, doubtless, by this
limo the cafe au ldit Inhabitants OF those vol
canic regions are at each others throats In the
most approved Spanish-Amcricsn fashion.
The immediate result Of such Q contest IL OF
slight Importance 10 Americans Guatemala,
anti-progressive 10 policy and shut up
within itself by Japanese exclusiveness,
has little in sympathy with the growth Of repub-
lican IDEAS From the era Of Its independence
up 10 about twenty years since, when the In
dian President Carera usurped dictatorial
powers, Guatemala has presented . scene Of
bloodshed and crime quite equal TO anythin g
In Mexican annals Under the iron rule Of
Carera, as well as that Of Cerna, his successor,
the Executive has welded the functions Of roy
atty to all intcnts and purposes. Guatemala
leaned decidedly towards the late empire, and
Juarcz owes her grudge for her ill.judged
sympathy. During the French Intervention n
secre. alliance was in negotiation with Guate-
mala, by which lhat State was eventually TO
have been annexed 10 Mexico. A part OF this
plan was 10 bring in the other Central Ameri-
can republics and form grand Spanish
American empire but those little sovereign
ties peremptorily declined, and The scheme was
abandoned. Soon after this the withdrawal Of
the French troops was announced as decided
upon and ringing the knell OF the empire. Qua
temals thereupon fastened TO wash her hands
Of the proposed alliance by circular sent By
seHor Aycenena, then Minister OF State, 70 tor
eign governments, denying all intention Of
sarrendcring its sovereignty 10 any Power
whatever. This affair, however, has been In
part made q pretexs In Mexico for wsrlike de-
monstrations. -----r. -s..., ~.
Since the overthrow Of the Spanish authority
In 1921 the city Of Guatemala has been 70 .
great extent controlled By sort Of provincial
nobility, the remnants Of the old aristocratic
families who Hourished under tho vice-royalty,
aud SONS Of whom retain their titles
70 shis day. The mongrel classes, such
- comprise the patchwork populations Of
Mexico, exist proportionsliy In Guatemala
10 . les extent than in any other Spanish
American State, the eKsrsuss Of rich srisso'