The Portland daily press., 1885-03-18
BARRIOS' SCHEME.
The Position Taken by the United
States.
Letter of Secretary Bayard Upon the
Subject.

WARRINGTON March 17.-Secretary of State
Bayard to-day sent q letter to Senator Miller,
chairman of the committee on foreign affairs
In reply to one from that committee requesting
information as to the state of affairs in Central
America, ana asking for suggestions from the
Secretary OF State. The Secretary SAYS the
first intimatjon of revolutionary movement
received by the department came on the 7th
inst. in 8 telegram addressed to the President
by Gen. Barrios, announcing that for the pur-
pose OF bringing about a union between the
States of Central America and making them
one republic.,h had, with the approval of the
assembly, assumed the title of Supreme
Military Chief" On the same day the govern
ment OF Nicaragua notified the United States
that Nicaragua would repeI this absorption
and to avert war requested the interference
OF the United States. On the 9th President
Cleveland received q dispatch from President
Zoldivar of San Salvador informing him that
the republics of San Salvador, Nicaragua and
Costa Rics were resolved energetically to re-
sist Gen. Barrios' scheme, and in view of the
reported dispatch of troops from Guatemala
to attack San Salvador, urged the United
States government to check the impending
conflict by a "cablegram." A despatch from
MIR. Hall, United States minister in Central
America, confirmed the previous warlike re-
ports and stated thar Honduras was in sympa-
thy with the Barrios movement.
The State Department at once telegraphed
Mr.. Hall, stating the United States could not
eonntanance the proposed coercion of other re-
publics by Guatemala and that this govern
ment stands ready to exert its influence for
peace Similar kilograms were sent to San
Salvador, Nicaragua, and Costa Rica The
Mexican minister to Washington and Secreta-
ry Bayard also had q conference, and it was
decided that Mexico and the United States
should cooperate in protest against the de-
struction of the autonomy OF the Central
American States, and the use of moral infa-
encss to this end. Later, but unofficial infor-
nation, the Secretary SAYS. states that Barrios'
expedition against San Salvador has been
stopped, and that Bsrrios has asked President
Zaidivar to send two commissioners to arrange
settlement. The department has also been
notified that the Mexican government has
withdrawn its legation from Guatemala, and
that the Goatemalan minister to the Uuited
States, who also represents San Salvador in
Washington, has been Withdrawn by the latter
government, because of his sympathy with the
revouuonlsts A new minister has been APP
pointed by San Salvador, for whom the United
States has pledged a cordial reception.
The Secretary states that at his request the
Secretary of the Navy has despa ched all avail
able vessels of the Atlantic and Pacific SQUAD
ron to Central American waters. The Secre-
tary OF State also states that Honduras being
party to the revolutionary movement, the Uni
ted States is released from it's obligation to that
Republic under the treaty OF 1864.
In the absence of legislation by Congress on
the Nicaraguan treaty the Secretary says he
cannot see that there is any treaty obligation
with that Republic which could influence the
interference of the United States.
The department has no intimation that any
European power has interfered or contemp-
lates it ia the Central American difficulties
The Secretary submits that the United States
cannot countenance any measures subversive
of the free anatomy of any of the several states
OF Central America, and concludes by saying
that he believes that the moral influence and
good offices Of the United States Can be made
potential agency in the preservation OF peace
in Central America, and says he can make no
other suggestion TO the Senate as to the policy
of the United States government