The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-03-04
kMBNDE HONORABLE.

Guatemala Apologies for Her Insult to
Our Flag.
The steamer City of New York, which ar
rived here Monday from Panama. brought
news of the amende honorable made by
Guatemala on January Goth last for the I'M
warranted detention. of the steamer Coima
in the previous July, at the port of San Jose
de Guatemala, and the seizure of portion
of her cargo, in contravention of lnterna-
tionai law. The republics of Guatemala
and Salvador were in state Of war at the
time, and the portion Of the cargo seized con-
sisted Of a consignment of arms to the latter
country.
Following the seizure diplomatic action
was taken for redress, and in consequence
the arms were returned month later. The
restoration of the property was made, how
ever, in rather coptemptuous manner, and
complaint being made of this, satisfaction
| was demanded of the Government. The re-
/ suit was that Guatemala agreed to apologize
for the insult to the flag, and as no Ameri-
can man-Of-war was in the waters at the
time the Charge d Atfaires, by letter Of JAN
uary 18th, instructed Captain johnson of
the Pacific. Mail steamship City OF New
York to receive the official apology next
day.
Captain johnson, under date of January
18Th; Acknowledged receipt of these in
structiohs, and gave the following account
| OF the proceeding which took place in ac-
coruance Win them:
| have the honor to inform you that at 4
| o'clock this afternoon Colonel Torrillo accom-
| panied by. bis Aid-de-camp Captain Caidron OF
| the Guaiemaian army, made an official visit TO
| his snip ana was received with all the hOuors
| that could possibly be paid by a ship OF the
| United States merchant marine.
Colonel TOrlilloand agreed upon proper
form in which the necessary apology TO our
| Government and flag Should be carried out.
The OFFICERS aud crew were ordered TO mu ster
10 slatb0ard aud the passengers arranged til enl-
selves on the port side.
Accompanied by Colonel Torrlllo / then took
a position on the bridge, and in thepresence OF
those assembled read 10 Them first. your COM
municarion Of yesterday, after which explained
in detail the unwarrantcd seizure and uncere-
nonotls return OF the arms and ammunition
taken from ihe Pacific Mali COmpaDy's steamer
ColiIna on July IS, 1890, and returned to the
steamer San Bias on August 81, $780, while
was In command Of the latter ship.
Linen read 10 those assembled the order OF j.
Fl. Leyerich, our special agent In Guatemala, In
which order was instructed that in accorda nee
with an understanding with tie American Min
lsler Hon. j.. Il. Miner. was 10 receive on the
San Bias the arms aud ammunition seized on the
steamer COlima on the preceding month, they be-
lug delivered to me In proper condition by an
onlcer oil lie GuatemalaD Government.
then explained that tile spirit of this agree
nent being in no way complied with aud certain
n m,,ns ana ammunition being delivered to me in a
,na s mat 1 could not consider other than
contgimptnons, made formal protest TO the com.
pany spe eal agent at Guatemala.
colonel lorfillo then explained that Mt the
uale OF seizure war with San Salvador was by
MS government deemed Inevitable, and an "ex-
cess OF ZeaP' prompted him TO an acl that on
mature consideration his Government refused TO
lndorSe. ~
He further stated that, by reason OF the
fact that subordinate officer dsobeyed a posi-
i've order, the arms and ammunition were not
delivered In Il manner BETTING the occasion.
Appealing 10 those present, / then proposed
three CHEERS Tor our national flag, Which were
promptly responded TO. the Colonel and his aid
Joining heartily. after which uniformed officer
OF my command hoisted the flag OF Guatemala az
the fore, to which similar salute was paid
The inequalities of the tactic Mall Steamship
Company were then paItaken OF by all and Col
onel Torrilo left the ship at P. NJ, expressing
the warmest regard for our countrymen al home
and abroad.