The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1895-01-30

boundary dispute and hold to the claim for
damages from Guatemala which it has all along
held. President Diaz is known to be far too
wise a statesmen to refuse any genuine help
for the preservation OF peace, but it is gener-
ally,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 troubles on tho Guatemalau ques-
ion. If war is necessary to accomplish end
then twill be war to finish. The daily Two
Republics of today contained an editorial on
the position OF the United States in the Guste-
malan dispute which may be considered as in
dicative OF the general feeling in Mexico, as
follows: .... .M.4s,
"The telegraphic announcement from Wash
ington that the United Stutes wouldn't agree
able to Mexico mediate in the Mexico Guate-
mnla question, created no little 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 Unit
cd States. Mexico, has maintained that the
question. having been practically, settled by
the treaty OF 1882, is not of the character that
should be submitted to arbitration. There is
no oquestiol as to the Interpretation of the
treaty. It's perfectly clear and explicit, with
out 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 1t. In proposing to submit the subject to
arbitration it 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 decision
may be reached. 1t was with this view that
Guatemala purposely caused the invasion of
territory which had formerly been in dis
pute.t but which IL was agreed in the
treaty of 1882, should be regarded as
Mexican pending the final survey OF the
boundary. When Mexico protested against
this procedure Guatemala &C, ,lly proposed that
the matter be left to arbitration, and it is un-
derstood that the Guatemalan minister at
Washington on four different occasions re-
quested the United States government TO offer
its services as mediator and on these occasions
the request was fatty refused Now the nn-
nouncement is made that the United States
government will consent to mcdi te in the in.
terest of peace. Mediation is not necessary
but utamounts to almost the same thing. In this
case it would be interference in the interest of
a nation which is endcavoring to elude COM
pliance with its treaty obligations Should
the proffered Intervention be accepted, Guate-
mala will naturally desire to have the treaty OF
1882 ignored and thus open to discussion the
almost interminable question waich, after
years of stormy diplomatic consideration, was
definitely adjusted in 1882. Upon the who'll.
the offer OF the United States sovernm mt, if
correct as reported, seems to be i'll consd-
cred and inopportunc, and will probably pro-
long and vex the question which now seems to
he drawing rapidly to a settlement A crisis
has been reached, ard II there is no outside
interference there will be an end, pacific or
otherwise put to the question in a very snort
while. .t... = e