Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1882-07-21
GUATEMALA IN TROUBLE.
Her Rulers Seeking a Protector
and Offer in Return a POr-
zion Of Her Territory.
President BarriOs Trying to In
VOlVe this Country in His
COunIry's Quarrel with
Mexico.

Washington Dispatch to New York Herald, II.
The arrival in the the United States
Of General BarriOs, President of the
Republic of Guatemala, and his re-
ported intention of asking the inter-
vention Of this government in the
question of the disputed boundary
line between Guatemala and Mexico,
give fresh interest at the present time
to the letters written to the State De-
partment to Mr.. G. A. Logan, late
United States Minister to. Central
America. and which have had only
partial and ~fragmentary publication.
la a letter to Secretary Blaine, dated
Guatemala City, May "a, 1881, Mr..
Logan said with regard to the dis
puted boundary question: II be-
lieve that Mexico has every DISPOSE.
ten to come to an open rupture with
Guatemala on the boundary question,
and hat she may do so. Barrios
is intensely hated in Mexico, and
he returns the feeling with compound
interest. Though Barrios does not
realize it, yet his government in one
sense is a very weak one. y \ =
His old opponents \ y y are held
down with All iron hand, made, so to
speak, of muSkets and brass bands.
By themselves they can do nothing;
but if Mexico, with a few thousand
men, we're to call away the Guatemalan
troops from the capital to defend the
borders, twenty four hours would not
elapse before the clericals would be
massed into an aggressive army, and,
being in the majority. Barrios would
soon be crushed.
In another letter dated three days
later, viz , May q, 1881, MI. Logan
apprised the Secretary of State that
tho government of Guatemala had
urged the United States through him
to accept territory in Central Amer
lea, and with reference to this propo-
sition said: My policy has been
an evasive one until instruction
from Washington may be received.
Montufar, who is altogether the
best informed mar upon our
political system in Central America,
tries TO argue away the probable OBJ
jections to be interposed by our
government against any unwarranted
interference in the affairs of our
neighbcrs, and especially the acquisi-
tion Of territory, and rather regretiully,
as it seemed to me, informed me that
with the Democratic party in power
the acquisition of Soeonusoo Ca part OF
Mexico claimed by Guatemala) would
be but a question of two days. All
this amounts to nothing, however,
except that when hope Of assistance
from the United States is abandoned
Guatemala will undoubtedly make this
proposition to enc Of the European
powers"
In another dispatch, dated June
%, 1881, Mr., Logan was still more
explicit with regard to the de.
sire Of Presidant Barrios to cede to
the United States or to some Euro
podu puWSl luO ACIIlJOIJ III dlbpulo
In this letter he said: ~ The
Gautemalan government, in detormin-
ing to cede Soconusco, or her right to
it at least, to a foreign power, hopes to
put a stop in that way TO the aggres.
sion Of her powerful neighbor. Tho
idea is not a bad one. | am confident
that as yet no Communication upon
the subject with the representative of
any foreign power has taken place. l
have a belief, however, that should
the United States decline any interest
in these affairs a proposition will be
made in some other quarter. l shall
watch the matter as closely as posi-.
Bile. = = y"
The extract above quoted from Min
lister Logan's letters may be taken as
indications of the nature and impor.
lance of President Barrios' mission "a
the United States, which is REGARDED
In diplomatic circles with much inter.
est, but which does not much distnrb
the State Department.
Letter heads, bill heads. hills of