The islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1891-1899, 1895-02-07
PREPARING FOR WAR.
Mexican ArsenalS Running
Night and Day.
SITUATION REGARDED CRITICAL

The Mobilization OF Troops ut Strategic
Points for an Invasion Of Guatemala
Steadily Going Oman UItimatum to
be Sent to Guatemala.
CRY OF MEXICO (via Laredo, Tex.),
January 2S.-That the situation here
has been regarded as critical is evil
denced by the fact that in the Mexican
arsenal at the citadel there are being
manufactured weekly from 40, 900 to 3d.
600 Remington cartridges by orders from
the War Department.. They are also
engaged night and day upon other work
in order that all of the artillery shall be
completed and ready at moments mo-
tice with full compliments of all kinds
of ammunition. In the arsenal the ex-
treme activity of the operatives is no
ticeable. They do not rest moment in
order that all armament may be ready
in first-class order and in proper condi-
ton for the use of any army about en-
tering into q campaign. The War De-
partment thinks of sending the Fourth
Battalion of Infantry to Acapulco, but
as vet has not issued the marching Or
ders. 1t is also rumored that two bat
talions of artillery, completely equipped,
will also leave within q few days with
full batteries of steel cannon. 1t is also
assumed that the government has pur-
chased two steamers which navigate in
the Gulf of Mexico. which they will arm
with necessary artillery for use as trans
port.
There is an extraordinary activity
notable in every division of the
War Department, but as yet nothing has
transpired for publicity, although it is
easy to understand the question OF Qua
temala is what originated the extraordi-
nary activity. The mobilization of troops
at strategic points for an invasion OF
Guatemala continues daily. Up to date
it is known $4,000 troops have been sent,
and the mobilization continues inces-
sanity. tits also known that Geographic
orders have been sent for additional ra-
tons for the troops on the Guatemalan
frontier, and it is also we'll known here
that the government has sent Hon. Ma
thias Romero, the representative in
Washington, secret and delicate instruc-
tions relative to the question of Guate-
mala. The Mexican Congress is in Sc
cret session tonight. 1t is expected that
by Wednesday by the latest the govern
ment will declare itself.
The official answer of Guatemala came
in on the Vera Cruz railway mail train
last night, having been forwarded from
Coatzacoalcos to Vera Cruz by boat in
waiting. It is generally understood that
the import of Guatemala's reply is the
same as indicated in the telegram re-
ceived from Mexican Minister Godoy at
the time it was delivered to him by the
Guatemalan government. Its tore is
eyasive and negative. The Foreign De-
partment said that the declaration of
Me1ico's position may be expected in
side of four or five days, by which time
the reply of Guatemala will have been
considered in all its bearings. While
not showing any heat over the reply of
Guatemala, Mexican authorities hold a.
firmly as ever to their position.
1t 10 very generally understood that
an ultimatum will be sent to Guatemala
by the corvette Saragoza, which will at
once declare war on that Republic un-
less it accepts the demands of Mexico in
every particular. In any event the
Saragoza will bear q note to Minister
Godoy instructing him to request his
passports from Guatemala. Should Its
answer be negative he will be protected
and landed on Mexican soil by the cor
vette, which will then be detailed for the
transportation of troops and munitions
of war. The Governor of this federal
district has offered President Diaz two
battalions to 90 to the front the moment
war shall be declared. 1t is understood,
however, that the government does not
intend to begin the war on land. The
first hostile step, if Guatemala still re-
fuses to yield, will be to blockade her
ports. Foreigners here express some
doubt as to the effectiveness OF such .
blockade, since the Mexican navy has
but half dozen small craft manned by
hardly 500 seamen and officers.
Minister De Leon has nothing to say
tonight, though there is . rumor that
he has been telegraphed instructions to
do all in his power to prevent Mexico
from declaring war. It is possible that
diplomacy may yet intervene in time to
save the trouble between Guatemala and
Mexico.
aREsHAM's INTERFERENCE.
CRY OF MEXICO, January 28.-The
OulLcU CL6Lc6 u6b uAuCi o0hOA W PI~y
the part of peacemaker between Mexico
and Guatemala to prevent war if posi-
BILE. A telegram has been received here
from Secretary Gresham expressing the
hope that Guatemala and Mexico will
agree between themselves upon some
method of settling the dispute over tho
boundary, but, if this should not be
possible, the United States trusted tho
two countries would agree to submit
their difference to the arbitration OF
some friendly nation. This communities
ton from the nation with which Mexico
enjoys such intimate and friendly rela-
tions has created . deep impression
upon the government, and undoubtedly
accounts in part for the decision OF the
Minister of Foreign Affairs to withhold
for five or six days at least the ulti-
matum he was about to dispatch in an
swer to the note from Guatemala. Ii it
is learned that the President OF the
United States made such an appeal, it
would be received in good spirit.
Reilly Pacific Railroad Bill.