The morning news., 1891-01-27
MINERS LETTER TO BLAINE.
The Ex-Minister Presents His side of
the Case TO the Public.


SAN Francisco. CAL, Jan 2I-After
due deliberation Lansing B. Miner, ex-
minister to Guatemala. who was recalled by
Secretary Blaine because of his attitude in
the Barrundia case, has concluded TO make
public bis official reply to Secretary Blaine's
| letter of recall before its delivery 70 the
state department at Washington In giving
his reason for this proceeding, ex-Minister
Miner said: 81 consider that l am
Thoroughly justified in making this dOcu-
/ ment public now, in view of the precedent
established by Secretary Blaine himself
/ The text Of the secretarys letter
to me was given to the public through the
newspapers before it could possibly have
reached me, and two weeks before congress
met Only on these grounds do l consider
the publication Of my letter at this time
! justif6ble. / believe 1t contains a complete
review of my actions in the matter, and will
set me right before the public"
MINERS LETTER
Ex-Minister Mizner's official communion
| tiOn is dated at the legation Of tha United
States in Central America, Guatemala,
Dec 81, 1890. 1t reads:
The Hon. James G. Blaine. Secretary of State
Washington, D. c.:
srR-I have the honor to acknowledge the re-
| ceipt OF your delayed dispatch Of the 18Th OF
| last month and to report that have this day
"
| charge de affsires. / am also In receipt OF a
! copy of the Presidents annual message, deliv-
cred TO the present session OF congress- in which
my official services in the recent establishment
| of peace between these republics is approved.
am at a loss TO know how my conduct of
mere incident of war. the attempted arrest OF a
single person, should meet with the
| Presidents disapproval. when IL Is remembered
that incident occurred on Aug. q, the very day
when the first condition of the basis OF peace,
to-wit: retiring OF the armies from the frontiers
/ ..fane A4a.e -. I'D
out. under my direction as dean Of the diplo
matte corps, necessitating my constant
presence at the legation to com
pose any difficulties that might arise, and,
a matter OF fact. several complaints
were presented TO me in writing by
| these governments charging bad faith, which
were arranged TO the satisfaction Of all. On
Aug. 25 two hostile armies, estimated at 10000
on each side, after several severe bat
ties. confronted each other on the frontier
awaiting the efforts of the diplomatic
corps to effect q basis of peace, WI tch, as
stated by the president, was consummated
throu b the active efforts of the representative
of the United States (Nin ter Mizner). on the
next day so that on the 27th Of August the all
absorbing question was peace to over two mill
ion people, and the arrest of a citizen OF Qua
tema on one of our merchant ships, Ell her In time
OF war orin peacs. was an inconsiderable mat
ter co Ipared with the vast interests involved;
as no one could possib y foresee that the person
to be arrested would resist, nor could 1t be sup
posed that the person was armed and would
urSL upon MS DeneIhcbOr, ln6 captain OF the
ship. or that any fatality whatever would occur.
The resolution OF the lower house of congress
having been passed In October. calling for the
papers In the case, It is TO be regretted that
action was taken in the matter before
the committee had an opportunity TO report, as
l am absolutely certain that full investigation
of the case before that committee, including
my presence before it., If necessary, would
have explained everything to its entire
satisfaction. 10 will be a consolation
to me. compensating for the Presidents
lzEa - A,N
person on one of our merchant vessels,
whether In local waters, In war
or in piece, that l was largely instru-
mental in retiring two hostile armies to their
quiet homes, thus saving thousands of human
lives, averting untold disaster and restoring
harmony and good will to neghboring states.
THE GOMEZ CASE.
Mr.. Miner cites Secretary Bayards ac-
ton in the Gomez case, and says he (Miz-
zer) was ruled by that in the Barrundia
affair:
Gen. Barrundia was a citizen and political
offender against the laws of Guatemala, besides
beng indicted for common crimes. He came
voluntarily ilto the jurisdiction of Guatemala
on the merchant steamer Acapulco, the
authorities sought TO arrest him, the cap
tain OF the ship asked me to instruct him,
and advised him as follows: "If your ship is
within one league of the territory Of Guatemala
and you have on board Gen. J. NJ. Barrundia, it
becomes your duty, under the law OF nations, 10
deliver him to the authorities of Guatemala
upon their mand IL there is any d ference
between the two cases it is in the favor of Guate
emala to have made the ARE on the grounds of
his b ing both a political aud common crime
offender, and sustains me ia giving the advice
as it was earnestly sought by the master of the
Acapulco, while in the Gomez case the captain
of the Honduras was silent The details in both
the Gomez and Barrundia cases were to have
been left to the respective captains and local
consus. as il would he impossible for a minister
hundreds of miles away TO give his personal
attention to such arrests.
INTRIGUE DENIED.
In the Presidents first annual message to
congress it was said: Diplomacy should be
frank and free from intrigue, thereby imply
ing it had not b eu so in the past. If, a. must
b. conceded, Guatemala hal an undoubt d
been frank o have thrownany obstacle in the
way of the exercise of that right? On the
contrary. would it not have been in
trigue to have abetted the captain of
law, as we exercise the right to arrest all kinds
Of offenders on foreign merchant ships when in
our ports?
on July 4. last, Capt. Pitts permitted the
authorities Of Salvador to arrest Senior Del
gado, minister of foreign relations of that re-
| public, and take him against his will from the
| steamer Acapulco. AS per his affidavit sent
| you, it would seem that the privilege should
| have been extended TO Guatemala. The great
| diplomatic corps in Central America, except in
| the case of the representative of Mexico, have
| in writing indorsed my course in the Barrundia
case. Believing that under the circumstances
| acted in strict accordance with the laws of
nations, and being absolutely certain of the
| recttude of my intentions, i submit
my action and unprecedented treatment to the
| consideration of my countrymen. Trusting
| that this communication may have the same
| publicity and place in the permanent diplo-
| matte records of the nation, as that accorded to
| your dispatch, I have the honor to be, your
| obedient servant,
| TAxsINn II MrgNry