Los Angeles herald., 1891-01-26
MINERS TALE OF WOE.
THE Ex.MINIsTER TRIES TO JUs.
TIFY HIS COURSE.
He Thinks Blaine Was Not the Author Of
the Letter ofCensure He Received-Go-
ing to Washington to Explain. si

SAN Francisco, Jan. 25.-Ex-Minister
to Guatemala L. B. Miner arrived in
this city from Mazatlan yesterday on the
Pacific Mail steamer San Jose. Mr..
Miner, it is remembered, was recently
recalled from his mission by Secretary
of state Blaine. The ex-minister was
not at all reticent in his interview with
a reporter, but rather guarded in his
statements. He had, he stated, written
out a full account OF the facts surround
ing the death OF General Barrundia, but
as vet he was not certain that it would
not be Breach OF diplomatic ethics to
make it public until he had seen the
authorities at Washington. He said he
thought Mr.. Blaine was not the author
OF the letter he received from the state
department, censuring his conduct in
the matter. but that it had been written
by subaltern, and signed by the secre-
tary of state without careful perusal.
Prior to the death of the rebel general
Minister Mlzner had procured his safe
conduct out of Guatemala. "It was inn
possible for me to think OF giving all my
personal attention to the Barrundia
matter" said the ex-minister, ''as the
interests OF the United States and the
peace of the five republics of Central
America seemed to demand all my time
and attention just at that moment. On
August 26th basis of peace was finally
agreed upon, and I could see that nv
labors were about to be rewarded. The
day before that General Barrundia en-
tered Guatemala on the Acapulco. In
finally advising Captain Pitts to surren-
der the rebel. believe l acted in strict
accord with all precedents and with in.
ternational law"
Mr.. Miner described Barrundia as a
common criminal, who was wanted for
other crimes than those of political
nature. The course taken by Captain
Reiter, who was recently deposed from
command of the Ranger for his share in
the matter, was commended by the ex-
minister, who spoke of the captain in
the highest terms. The reports that
Mr.. MINERS life was in danger after
the killing of the rebel general were
characterized as utter falsehoods. He
said last night that he had never gone
armed that he had no escort, and had
never asked for one.
At Mazatlan, Mr.. Miner met his sue
cessor, Governor Pachecho, and them
for the first time he saw his letter of re-
call from the president. He SAYS he
hopes to explain his course in the mat
ter to the satisfaction of all, and to his
vindication. He will remain in this
city for the present, and then proceed to
Washington to state his case to the
secretary.
Mr. Miner is not over sanguine that
the treaty between the five republics
will last long. Both Guatemala and
Salvador are now buying arms and
ammunition in Europe, and are in other
ways preparing tor war that, he thinks,
will not be long delayed.
MzNER's REPLY TO BLAINE.
Later-Mr. Miner, tonight, gave out
for publication a copy of his reply to
Secretary Blaine's letter OF censure, for
his action in the Barrundia affair. The
letter is dated December 3lst, 1890.
Miner acknowledges the receipt of
Blaine's letter, and copy of the presi-
dents message to congress, in which the
restoration of peace in Central America
is ascribed to Miner.
Mr.. Miner continues: am at loss
to know how my conduct of mere Incl
dent of war-the attempted arrest of a
single person-should meet with the
presidents disapproval, when it is re-
lnembered that the incident occurred on
the 9th Of August, the very day when