Los Angeles herald., 1890-12-02


hostilities broke out between Salvador
and Guatemala, threatening to involve
all Central America in conflict, and
undo tine progress which has been made
toward union of their interests. The
efforts of this government were promptly
and zealously exerted to compose their
difference, and through the active ef-
forts of the representative of the United
States a provisional treaty of peace was
signed August 26th, whereby the right
OF the republic of Salvador to choose its
own rulers was recognized. General
Ezeta, the chief of the provisional gov
ernment, has since been confirmed in
the presidency by the assembly, and
diplomatic recognition duly followed.
The Barrundia Affair.
The killing of General Barrundia on
board the Pacific mail steamer Aca-
pulco, while anchored in transit in the
port of San Jose de Guatemala, de-
manded careful inquiry. Having failed
in revolutionary attempt to invade
Guatemala from Mexican territory,
General Barrundia took passage at Aca-
pulco for Panama. The consent of the
representatives of the United States
was sought to effect his seizure, first at
Champeric, where the steamer touched,
and afterward at San Jose. The cap
tain of the steamer refused to give up
his passenger without written order
from the United States minister.
The latter forwarded the desired
letter, stipulating as the condition
of his action, that General Barrundia's
life should be spared. and that he should
be tried for offences growing out of his
insurrection movements. This letter
was produced to the captain of the
Acapulco by the military commander at
San Jose, as his warrant to take the
passenger from the steamer. Barrundia
resisted capture, and was killed. 1t
being evident that the minister, Mr..
Miner, had exceeded the bounds of his
authority in intervening in compliance
with the demands of the Guatemalan
authorities, to grant authority to effect
lin violation of precedent) the seizure on
vessel of the United States of pas
senger in transit, charged with political
offenses, in order that he might be tried
for such offenses under what was de-
scribed as martial law, this government
was constrained to disavow Mr.. MINERS
act, and recall him from his post.
The Nicaragua Canal.
The Nicaragua canal project, under
the control of our citizens, is making
most encouraging progress, all the pre-
liminary conditions and initial opera
tions having been accomplished within
the prescribed time.
During the past year negotiations
have been received for the settlement of
the claims Of American citizens against
the government of Chill, principally
growing out of the late war with Peru.
The reports from our minister at
Santiago warrant the expectation of an
early and satisfactory adjustment.
Our Relations with China.
Our relations with China, which have
for several years occupied so important
a place in our diplomatic history, have
called for careful consideration, and
have been the subject of much corre-
spondence. The communications of the
Chinese minister have brought into
view the whole subject of our conven-
tional relations with his country and at
the same time this government, through
its legation at Pekin, sought to arrange
various matters and complaints touch
ing the interests and protection of our
citizens i'll China. In pursuance OF the
concurrent resolution of October /, 1890,
l have proposed to the governments OF
Mexico and Great Britain to consider
conventional regulation of the passage
of Chinese laborers across our southern
and northern frontiers.
On the 22d day of August last Sir Ed
mund Munson, the arbitrator, selected
under the provisions of the treaty of De-
cember 6, 1888, rendered an award to the
effect that no compensation was due
from the Danish government to the
United States, on account of what is
commonly known as the Ca1los Butter
field claim.
Our relations with the French continue
cordial. Our representative at that
court has very diligently urged the re-
moval OF the restrictions imposed upon
our meat product, and it is believed that
progress has been made toward a Just
settlement.
Samoan Affairs.
The Samoan treaty last year at Ber-
lin, by representatives of the United
States, Germany and Great Britain,
after due ratification and exchange, has
begun to produce salutary effects. The
formation of the government agreed up
on will soon replace the disorder of the
past by stable administration, alike
just to the natives and equally to the
three powers most concerned In trade
and intercourse with the Samoan
islands. The chief justice has been
chosen by the king of Sweden and Nor
way on the invitation of the three pow
ers, and will be installed. The
land commission and the muni-
cipal council are in process of
organization. A rational and evenly
distributed scheme of taxation, both
municipal and upon imports, is in op-
Grafton. Malietoa is respected as king.
The new treaty Of extradition with
Great Britain, after due ratification, was
proclaimed ON the 25th of last March.
Its benefcent working is already appar-
ent.
The Bering Sea Question.
The difference between the two gov
ernments touching the fur seal question
in the Bering sea is not yet adjusted, as
will be seen by the correspondence
which will soon be laid before congress.
The offer to submit the question to arbi-
tration, as proposed by her mai
esty's government, has not been
for the reason that the
form OF submission proposed
is not thought to be calculated to assure
a conclusion satisfactory to either party.
1t is sincerely hoped that before the
opening of another season some arrauoe.