The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-03-21
THE BOUNDARY DISPUTE.
Statements from the Guatemalan and
Mexican Minister'S.


Mexican Ministers.
WASHINGTON, March 20.-The state
ment was published in a local paper here
to-day that the Mexican Congress would
declare war on Guatemala as soon as the
Congress assemblies next month and a long
Rccount of the reasons therefor was given.
When the article was shown to the Guat-
smalan minister, Mr.. Lazo Arriaga, with
the request that he state the actual con-
dition of the Guatemalan-Mexican affair,
he said: i do not wish, neither can I
discuss through the press a diplomatic mat
ter which is under consideration by both
interested governments. / will only say
that this article contains several incor-
rect af1rmations. 1t is not true that the
Guatemalan authorities invaded Mexican
territory, for the simple reason that We
do not like to offend any other nation. 1t
Is not true that the responsibility OF the
delay in the survey of the boundary line
rests on Guatemala, because the Guate-
malan boundary commission of engineers
mission during the last eight years. 1t is
not true that the Guaten1alan government
has received Q large revenue for conces-
almost invariably made in favor OF Mex
lean citizens and the revenue raised from
this source Is almost insignificant. AS far
as I am informed do not see any reason
why a peaceful settlement Of the pend
Ing differences might. not be soon reached
~ tICAtOt I'LL . tAC a iAAAot S1iAs
Mexico and Guatemala agree that the
boundary treaty of 1882 is binding on both
countries, and there is therefore no need
OF any new convention, as has been sug-
gested. In fact, Guatemala has not even in
tim~atedsathe convenience of such a step.
The treaty of 1882 provided for placing the
monuments to mark the boundary line, and
there is no need of any new convention or
EaniZing a new commission for that pur-
pose. Both governments have signed a con-
Eention extending for two years, the time
IN which the whole work Of marking the
7rnn yvfth Tf.nnar T0nnfIrQantg will no accom-
plished. The Mexican Senate ratified that
Convention, but the Guatemalan Congress
that it will be ratified in its next session,
which opens soon. As a matter of fact, the
survey of the whole line has been FINISHED;
IL between the respective engineers, but
the Guatemalan chief engineer has refused
to sign some of the minutes and charters
of the survey, and the monuments in such
portions of the line have to be placed by
both commissioners after the pending con-
There is no difference Of opinion between
the two governments about the construc-
the boundary line Is concerned, and there
fore mt more need Of an arbitration for that
The pending question between Mexico
and Guatemala is q very plain one. each
country claims that under the de facto
was in possession of the disputed territory,
and both agree that it belongs to Mexico
the treaty line is paramount. Mexico con-
sidered the action of Guatemala in sending
an armed force to DESTROY the log camps
established there by Mexicans who We're
cutting wood under grants of the Mexican
government, seize the logs and arrest the
men, as an unwarranted invasion of her
territory. and has asked Guatemala to
apologize for II. and to pay an indemnity
to the victims OF the outrage. LII Guatemala
wishes to settle the question it is for her
to make amends for her conduct. Mexico
will not ask any unreasonable Indemnity.
Senior Romero said he was sure that his
government would not be willing to sub
init TO arbitration the amount to be paid
for damages: that he did not see how Mex
Geo could recede from her demand for an
apology. As for the action of the Mex
lean Congress on the question, Senior Ro-
nero said that it would not become him to
anticipate it,. and he thought neither his
country nor his government desire a war
with Guatemala. as they are fully con-
scious of its danger drawbacks and disad-
vantages. and therefore he hoped that the
negotiations which are now conducted in
the City of Mexico would end in "A friendly
settlement OF the difficulty. and that he
had heard nothing recently which would
induce him to believe that there was now
any greater danger Of a rupture than there
has been from the beginning OF the con-
frQyergy.