The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1882-08-16
Guatemala and Mexico.
A CONVENTION SIGNED BETWEEN THE TWO RE-
prBLIcs. WHICH PUTS AN END TO THE 5000
NUSCO QUESTION.


A CONVENTION SIGNED BETWEEN THE TWO RE-
PuBLICs, WHICH PUTS AN END TO THE 5000
NUsCO QUESTION.
| New York Herald, l2th.I
| General Don J. Rufino Barrios, Presi-
dent of Guatemala, sails to-day for Liver
Dool on the White-Star steamer Celtic to
make a short tour in Europe, whittier he
coes on matters connected with the public
welfare OF his country. lie is accompanied
| by Nine. Barrios. Mcssrs. Cruz, Arroyo,
/ Colonel Stevenson, and several servants.
The remainder OF the family will stay here
until the return OF the President and his
partv. Before embarking, President Bar
rios had the satisfaction OF Witnessing the
signing OF convention between Guate-
mala and Mexico; which puts to rest at
once and forever the veXed question OF
boundaries that for the last fifty years or
more has been source Of annoyance to the
statesmen Of both republics, and often Il
serious threat against their peace.
| The Herald has already reviewed the
long pending difficulties which were yes
tcroay brushed aside by few strokes OF
the pen. and has given at length the state
ments Of both parties. From the Gllatema-
| Ian point OF view the clam Of President
Barros TO SOconuscO was indi>putablc; but
many strong reasons induced him to not
press il with all the yigor that might have
been employed. Gliatemala's friends
point to the public documents that have
appeared in the press OF that country, as
well rs OF this, TO prove McXico's want OF
title to either SOconusco or ChiapaS.
They assert that had Mexico possessed
any shadow Of right to the former terri
tory she, being the stronger Power, would
not have consented TO the neutrality OF it,
which was Observed for many years both
by herself and Guatemala. But out Of Il
sincere desire for friendly relations and q
good understanding with Mexico Prcsi-
dent BaIrios resolved TO fOrcgO Guatcma-
las claims and TO recognize the fact that a.
SOcOnusco has been for q long time under
Mexican governmental authority, il would
be at once statesmanlikc and liberal to treat
with his northern ncighborS on the basis OF
its belonging to them.
Many abOrtiyc attempts at negotiations
had hitherto failed for one reason or anOth-
or. and President BarriOS. seeing the pro-
pritty Of bringing the whole question to
focus. resolved TO come to the United States
and personally request that President Ar
thur would consent to accept the delicate
position q arbitrator, and that Mexico
would also be asked TO agree TO this ar
rangcment. President Arthur without
any difficulty consented 10 become the
arbitrator, provided both Mexico and Qua
tomala should Jointly ask him. The sequel
proves that Mexico expressed her willing
ness to push forward the lately langui>ling
negotiations.
Negotiations were in progress, under
favorable auspices. between Mr.. MatiaS
Romero. the Mexican Minister at WASH
ington IAN old and respected friend OF
President BarriOS), when the singUiarly &C.
centric and unaccouutablr resignation Of
the late Guatemalan Minister temporarily !
interrupted Them. The friend, OF presi- /
dent BarriOs claim that although the uneX- |
pccted resignation Of his Minister was I'M |
doubleday intended TO paralyZc his efforts |
IN the direction Of settlement OF the |
boundary question. such intention has ut |
tcrly failed in its object The presence here |
OF Scnor Cruz, the Guatcmalan Minister OF |
state; Of senior lIerrara. the Representa- |
tive OF President BarrioS in Mexico. and OF |
Or. Arroyo, enabled the President to icici-
tOusly conclude the work in hand. Much |
serious time and reflection, many drafts Of |
conventions or treaties SkCtchcd. altered,
or torn by the observation-disclosures. RO-
nero, Cruz, Herrera, and ATrOy0-Wcre
necessary TO get proper understanding.
This was reached Yesterday afternoon. and
Il convention was signed by the representa-
tiycS Of the negotiating republics with the
concurrence OF President BarrioS, which
will, it is believed, forever do away with
all frontier disputes between them. The
full text OF the convention, which will
shortly be published, contains in substance
the following general provisions:
First. The high contracting Powers agree
10 submit their differences to arbitration
by the President Of the United States.
Second. Guatemala abandon, her pre-
tensions TO SoconuscO and recognizes it rs
now belonging 10 Mexico.
Third. \ boundary commission to be
by both OF the contracting Pow
er> to ran dividing line between them.
such are the general features OF the con-
vention, as understood by the writer from
had with the persons con-
cerned in the drawing OF it up. General
Manuel Gonzalez, President Of Mexico.
through his a>tute Minister, Mr. Romero.
has reason to be thankful for having thus {
gotten rid OF an ugly controversy which
las lasted half century, and which was !,
he cause OF bad blood between neghbors 5
whose interests, language, and lineage arc
IDENTICAL.