The record-union., 1891-01-26
EX-MlNISTER MINER.
HE REPLIES TO BLAINE'S LETTER
OF CENSURE.
The Diplomatic Representatives In
dorSe His Action In the Bar
rundia Affair.

SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 25.-Hon. Lam
sing B. Miner, late Minister to Central
America, tonight gave out for publica-
ton copy Of his reply to Secretary
Blaine's letter of censure for his action in
the Barrundia affair. The letter is dated
December 81, 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 then
continues:
81 am at a loss to know how my con-
duct of mere incident of the war-the
attempted arrest of single person
should meet with the Presidents disap-
proval, when it is remembered that the
incident occurred on the 9th OF August,
the very day when the first condition of
the basis of peace-to wit, the retiring of
the armies from the frontier in forty
eight hours-was about to be carried out
under my directions as dean of the
diplomatic corps, necessitating my con-
slant presence at the legation to compose
any difficulties that might arise.
ION the 25th of August the two hostile
armleS-eStimated at 1000 on each side
after several battles, confronted each
other on the frontier, awaiting the efforts
of the diplomatic corps to effect peace,
which, as stated by the President, was
consummated through the active efforts
of the representative of the United States
(Mizner) on the next day, SO that on the
all-absorbing question was peace to
over two millions of people, and
the arrest of citizen of Guatemala on
one of our merchant ships, either in time
OF war or peace, was an inconsiderable
matter compared with the vast interests
involved; as no one could possibly forsee
that the person to be arrested would
resist, nor could it be supposed that the
person was armed, and would first fire
on his benefactor, the Captain
of the ship, or that any fatality whatever
would occur"
Mizner says he is sure a full investiga-
ton by Congressional Committee would
case, and declares it similar to the Bar
rundia affair.
He closes as follows: SIN the Presi-
dents first annual message it was said
that diplomacy should be frank and free
from intrigue thereby implying that
it had not been so in the past. II, as
must be conceded, Guatemala had un-
doubted right to arrest Barrundia, would
it have been frank to have thrown any
obstacles in the way of the exercise of
that right?"
ION the contrary, would it have been
an intrigue to have abetted the Captain
OF the Acapulco in evading the elenlentry
international law, as we exercise the
right to arrest all kinds of offenders on
foreign merchant ships when in our
port?
9 On the 4th of July last, Captain Pitts
permitted the authorities of Salvador to
arrest Senior Delgado, Minister of Foreign
Relations of that republic, and take him
against his Will from the steamer Aca-
pulco, as per his affidavit sent you. 1t
would seem that the same privilege should
have been extended to Guatemala. These
Republics have in a most emphatic man
ner, in banquets and written communi-
cations, thanked me for the good offices
in making peace, in which the people al
most en- masse have joined. The entire
Diplomatic Corps in Central America,
excepting the Representative from Mex
leo, have in writing indorsed my course
in the Barrundia case.
believing that under all circumstances
acted in strict accordance with the law
of nations, and being absolutely certain
of the rectitude of my own intentions, /
submit my action and unprecedented
treatment to the considerate Judgment of
my countrymen."