Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-03-11

Diplomatic Amends Made for the seisure Of
an American Ships Cargo.

Diplomatic Amends Made for the seisure Of
an American Ships Cargo.
Capt F. H. -ohnston Of the steamer City Of
New York has brought 10 San Francisco news
that the Guatemalan government has made
ample diplomatic amends for the action Of one
Of its representatives in seizing arms and am
munition on the American merchant marine
steamer Colima, which on July 10 last was
boarded at the port Of San Jose de Guatemala
by Guatemalan officers and soldiers and part
of her cargo seized. Guatemala and Salvador
were at war at the time, and the cargo seized was
shipped from San Francisco for Salvador. Mr.
Blaine at once called upon United States Minister
Miner for a report on this serious breach of in
ternational law. The report was made and salts
faction demanded. As the steamer Colima be-
longs to the Pacific Mail Company Capt john
ston Of that company was deputed by the act
ing charge d'affaires in Central America to re-
ceive the apology and explanation Of the Qua
temaian representative. 1t is the first instance
on record where the captain Of a merchant YES
sci has been placed in this position, man-of-
war generally attending to such matters Of
state.
To quote Capt Johnston. the apology was
rendered and accepted in the following fashion:
RENDERING THE APOLOGY.
ION January 20, 1891, at 4 o'clock, Col.
Torrielfo, commandant of the port of San
Jose, accompanied by his aide-de-csmp, Capt.
Caldron Of the Guatemalan army, mad an
official visit to this ship and was received with
all the honors that could possibly be paid by
ship OF the United States merchant marine.
Col. Torriello and agreed upon proper form
In which the necessary apology to our govern
ment and flag should be carried out. The Of
hcers and crew were ordered to muster to star
board and the passengers arranged themselves
IN, tho ~ az 10 ,aI -, oil
riello then took position on the bridge and,
in the presence Of those assembled read to
them. first, your communication of yesterday
after which explained in detail the unwar-
ranted seizure and unceremonious return Of
the arms and ammunition taken from the
Pacific Mail Company's steamer Colima on
July 10, 1890, and returned to the steamer San
Bias on August 81, 1890, while was in COM
mand Of the latter ship.
II then read to those assembled the order Of
]. H. Leverich, our special aeent in Guatemala
in which order l was instructed that in accord
ance with an understanding with the American
minister, Hon. L. B. Miner, was to receive
on the San Bias the arms and ammunition
seized on the steamer Colima on the preceding
month, they being delivered to me in proper
condition by an officer Of the Guatemalan gov
eminent then explained that the spirit Of
this agreement being in no way complied with
and certain arms and ammunition being de-
hvered to me In a manner that / could not
consider other than contemptuous, l made
formal protest to the company's special agent
at Guatemala
"Col Torriello then explained that at the
date OF seizure war with San Salvador was by
his government deemed inevitable, an excess
Of zeal prompted him to an act that on mature
consideration his government refused to in
dorse. Col. Torriello further stated that by
reason OF the fact that subordinate officer
(who here shall be nameless) disobeyed a posi-
tive order, the arms and ammunition were not