Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-01-29
Proposed Mediation of the United
States Distasteful to Mexicans.
UNFAVORABLE COMMENT At CAPITAL
President Diaz Not Willing to Ex-
press Himself.
STUDENTS DEMONSTRATION

CITY OF MEXICO, January 29.-It is
probable Mexico will decline with thanks
the attempt of the United States to inter-
cede in the Guatemalan affair. The re-
ception in this capital today of tele-
gram from Washington, saying that In ac-
ccrdance with the United States effort to
act mediator. Minister Gray had start
ed on his return to Mexico to co-ouerate
with United States Minister Young Of
Guatemala, created much unfavorable
comment in the limited circles in which
1t was mad. public.
President Diaz, when asked how the
proffer would be received by Mexico. very
politely replied that the country in gen.
eral naturally felt grateful to the United
States as a sister republic in its desire to
sustain peace, which were exactly their
own wishes, but while expressing his graf
itude, the president did not say the offer
would be accepted.
In all such cases settlement of the mat
te- at issue must depend upon the consent
of the parties directly concerned, said
Gen. DiaZ While giving no hint that Mex
leo will not listen to a proper extent to
the voice of the United States in the mat
ter. the press was given the general inn
preston that Mexico will continue to Oc-
cupy the present position on the boundary
dispute and hold TO the claims for dam
ages from Guatemala which it has all
along held.
President Diaz is known to be far too
wise a statesman to igrore any genuine
help for the preservation of peace, but it
is generally understood among those close
to the seat OF power that he will let moth
ing come in the way of the permanent
settlement at an early date of the long
troublesome Guatemalan question. If war
is necessary to accomplish this end. then
1t Will be war to finish.
Mcxicans Arc Dissatisfied.
The daily TUo PapublioS of tod,xy cop
tained an editorial on the intervention of
the United States in the Guatemalan dis
pute, which may be considered as indie
ative of the general feeling of Mexico. as
follows:
THE telegraphic announcement from
Washington that the United States would,
II agreeable to Mexico. mediate in the Mex
ico-Guatemalan question: created no little
surprise and considerable dissatisfaction.
Guatemala has, from the commencement
of the present dispute, insisted on submit
ting the question to the arbitration of the
government OF the United States. Mexico
has maintained that the question, having
been practically settled by the treaty of
1SS2, is not OF the character that should be
submitted to arbitration.
There is no question as to the interpreta-
ton of the treaty. 1t is perfectly clear
and explicit without single clause over
which a dispute can be raised. But the
present administration of Guatemala does
not like the provisions of that treaty and
wishes to ignore 1t or withdraw from it,
In proposing to submit the subject to :.rbi-
tration 1t merely wishes that matters which
have been fully discussed and definitely
agreed upon by the two countries be re-
opened to discussion, with the hope that
another decision may be reached.
Stating the Issue.
'It was with this view that Guatemala
purposely caused the invasion of territory
which had formerly been in dispute, but
which it was agreed in the treaty Of 1882
should be regarded Mexican pending
the final survey of the boundary. When
Mexico protested against this procedure
Guatemala coolly proposed that the mat
ter be left to arbitration, and it is under
stood that the Guatemalan minister in
Washington on four different occasions re-
quested the United States government to
offer its services as arbitrator, and that on
the four occasions the request was fiatly
refused. Now, the announcement is made
that the United States government will
offer to mediate in the interest of peace.
Mediation is not necessary, but amounts to
almost the same thing.
the interest of the nation, which is at
tempting to elude compliance with its
treaty obligation. Should the proffercd
intervention be accepted, Guatemala will
naturally desire to have the treaty of 1852
ignored and thus reopen to discussion the
almost interminable question, which, after
years of diplomatic consideration. was deti-
nitely adjusted in 1882. Upon the whole,
the offer of the United States government,
if correctly reported. seems to be ill-con-
sidered and tnopportune, and will probably
prolong and vex the question, which now
seems to be drawing rapidly to a settle
ment A crisis has been reached. and If
there is no outside interference there WHY
be an end, pacific or otherwise, put to the
question in very short time
A Cabinet Minister'S View.
ST. LOUIS. Mo-. January ga special
to the Republic from the City Of Mexico
says:
Sunday afternoons council Of ministers
was called to consider a private note from
Senior Romero, Mexican minister at WASH
ington, regarding interference by theUnited
States. In all circles the news created no
little surprise and considerable diSsatiS-
faction.
A cabinet minister said to your corre
spondent:
.The arbitration proposition is exceeding
ly inopportLne. 1t would be interference
in the interest Of nation, which Is en-
deayoring to elude compliance with the
treaty obligatlons.
Washington dispatches is correct. and the
United States government really intends
offering its mediation; of course with the
consent of both the parties to the dispute.
1t remains to be seen what Mexico will do
in the premises. The crisis has been reach
ed, and If there is no outside influence
there will be an end, pacific or otherwise,
put to the question in very short time"
A Students Demonstration.
GUADALAJARA, Mexico. January %
Today a large students demonstration was
held in which hundreds of young men from
the schools Of medicine, law and other col
leges Of this city took part, showing the
patriotism of the youth Of Jalisco on the
matter. Todays demonstration
was the outgrowth of smaller one held
on SATURDAY., but for lack of organization
did not reach to what was deemed fit pro-
portions The company marched to the
governors palace, where, in the presence of
thousands of spectators, addresses full of
fire and well applauded were delivered by
leading students, and in which they gave
the word of the young men Of the state to
be on hand in any emergency in which the
general government might find their serv-
ices useful.
Minister MariscaFs View.
The following appears in today's New
York World: