The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1895-02-14

boundary line, and on several occasions
the United States has attempted to set
tie some point in the dispute or prevent
threatened hostilities.
In 1873 number of Guatemalans
settled at Bejucal, in the disputed terri
tory, between the Mexican state Chiapas
and Guatemala, and expressed desire
to become citizens of Mexico President
Diaz at once established Mexican Off
Gals on the spot, whereupon Guate-
mala protested, claiming that Bejucal
was her territory. Mexico replied that
she would permit no discussion concern
ing the possession of Chiapas and Soco-
nusco, both of which unquestionably
belonged to her. For time the outlook
seemed very squally, but finally, in
1874, the two republics agreed upon
mixed commission composed of engi-
neers to examine the dividing line and
make a report While the matter was
still undecided the project of San Mar
COS, small town in Guatemala, destroy
ed a boundary sign temporarily recog-
nized by both countries as marking the
line during negotiations and erected an
other sign many miles farther north in
Mexican territory.
Enraged at this audacious act, Mexi-
CO promptly dispatched troops to the
scene, tore down the new boundary sign
and placed it where it had been before
A new treaty concerning the boundary
question was signed in New York in
1882, both governments agreeing to
have the line established at an early
date by commission This commission
hos 1Co1
time to time, but the two republics seem
no nearer an agreement than they did
half q century ago.
In the event of war Mexico would
certainly win unless Guatemala should
succeed in enlisting the aid of the other
Central American republics. Mexico has
a population of about 10, 900, 900, while
Guatemala has about l, 500, 900 people.
Mexico has standing army of 40, 600
and a reserve force of IT'S, 900 militia
and could without doubt have an army
of over 200, 900 in the field threatening
the Guatemalan frontier in a very few
weeks
Mexico also possesses five small war
ships that do not amount to much when
compared with the ships of a country
that pretends to maintain a navy, but
they could undoubtedly get away with
the Guatemalan navy, which consists
of one schooner about as large as pilot
boat and carrying a single muzzle load
ing cannon that cannot be fired, it is
said. Guatemala is little better off in
the matter of an army. She has stand
ing army of about 4, 900 men, but claims
to be able to put so, 900 troops in the
els A-L,
posed mainly of Indians, who are good
fighters if they are well differed. By
! law every male between the ages of IS
| and SO is liable to military duty except
| Indians, priests, students and those who
pay $50 year exemption. The COM
mander in chief of the Guatemalan
army is General Barrios, the presideEi
! of the republic
General Porfirio Diaz, the great Mex
| Jean soldier and statesman who has
I given Mexico such wide awake and
progressive and prosperous rule during
his long presidency, would direct the
movements of the Mexican troops and
would take the field himself in an
emergency. His army is equipped with
modern weapons and is well drilled and
efficient The majority of the common
soldiers are Indians, who are brave,
strong and cool headed and can make
long forced marches over rough country
without showing great fatigue. All
baggage is carried on pack mules or on
the backs of the wives of the men, and
thus uneneum bered by heavy baggage
wagons she army is able to cover a great
deal of ground in remarkably short
time.