The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1895-01-29
CLEVELAND SNUBBED.


Mexico.
CRY OF MEXICO, Jan. 29-Tt is proba-
bic Mexico will decline with thanks the
attempt of the United States to intercede
in the Guatemalan matter. The recep-
ton in this capital city today of tele-
| gram from Washington saying that the
United States will endeavor to act as
mediator, and that minister Gray has
started on his return to Mexico to CO.
operate with United States Minister
| Young, of Guatemala, created much IN
favorable comment in the limited circles
IN which it was made public.
President Diaz, when asked how tbs
proffer would be received by Mexico,
very politely replied that the country in
general naturally felt grateful to the
U. S. as a sister republic in its desire to
sustain peace, which were exactly his
own wishes, but while expressing his
gratitude the president did not say the
offer would be accepted
"ln all such cases settlement of the
matter at issue must depend upon the
consent of the parties directly con-
cerned." said Gen. Diaz.
While giving no hint that Mexico will
| not listen to proper extent to the voice
of the United States in the matter, the
press has given the general impression
| that Mexico will continue to occupy the
present position on the boundary dispute,
and hold to the claims for damages from
| Guatemala which it has all along held.
President Diaz is known to be far too
wise a statesman to ignore any gen
uine help for the preservation
of peace, but it is generally
understood among those close to the seat
of power. that he will let nothing come
in the way of the permanent settlement
at an early date of the long troublesome
| Guatemala question. If war is neces-
sary to accomplish this end, then it will
be war to finish.
The daily Two Republics of today
contained an editorial on the interven-
ton of the United States in the Guate-
malan dispute, which may be considered
as indicative of the general feeling in
Mexico, as follows:
THE Geographic announcement from
Washington that the United States
would, if agreeable to Mexico, mediate
created no surprise and considerable
dissatisfaction. Guatemala has, from
the commencement of the present dis
pute, insisted on submitting the question
to the arbitration of the government of
the United States.
Mexico has maintained that the ques-
ton having been practically settled by
the treaty of 1882, is not of the charac-
ter that should be submitted to ar itra-
ton. There is no quettion as to the in
depreciation of the treaty. It is per-
fectly clear and explicit, without a sin
gle clause over which d dispute can be
raised. But the present administration
of Guatemala does not like the provis-
ions of that treaty and wishes to ig-
more it or withdraw from 1t. In
proposing to submit the subject
IL - - ~
tiers which have been fully discussed and
definitely agreed upon by the two coun-
tries, be reopened to discussion, with the
hope that a new decision may be reached.
It was with this view that Guatemala
purposely caused the invasion of the ter
ritory which had formerly been in dis
pute, but which it was argeed in the
treaty of 1882 should be regarded as
Mexican, pending the final survey of the
boundary
When Mexico protested against this
procedure Guatemala cody proposed
that the matter be left to arbitration, and
it is understood that the Guatemala min
lister in Washington on different occa-
sions requested the United States gov
eminent to offer its services as arbitrator,
and that on each of those four occasions
the request was fatty 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; in this case il
would be interference in the interest OF
nation which is endeavoring to elude
compliance with its treaty obligations
Should the proffered Intervention be ac-
cepted. Guatemala will naturally desire
to have the treaty of 1892 ignored, and
thus reopen to discussion the almost in
terminable question which, after years OF
diplomatic Consideration, was definitely
adjusted in 1882
Upon the whole the offer of the United
States government if correctly reported
seems to be ill-considered and inoppor-
tune, and will probably prolong the ques-
ton which now seems to be drawing
rapidly to a settlement. A crisis has
been reached, and # there is no outside
interference there will be an end, pacific
or otherwise, to the question in short
time"