Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-01-29
THE MEXICAN SITUATION.
Every Voice for War-Uncle Sans Inter-
yention Not Well Received

CITY OF MEXICO, January 2S.-Presi-
dent Diaz hastily summoned a council OF
Minister'S yesterday afternoon and re-
mained several hours in consultation with
them. As the mouths of all officials are
sealed to inquirers 1t Is impossible to
learn definitely the object of the meeting.
1t Is generally understood. however. that
the chief topic was the offer made by
the United States Goverrmept to mediate
between Mexico and Guatemala.
The prospect OF the slightest interyel-
ton on the part OF the United States has
elected very bitter remarks from many
public men, and has caused considerable
excitement among the people. The war
fever runs so high that any power trying
TO avert IL must reckon with the hostility
Of public opinion. In the streets and
places Of popular resort there is but one
sentiment and that is In favor of Next
co.'s settling her differences with Guate-
mala once for all, without liberation Of
outside influence.
The newspapers want war They de-
n0unce Guatemala as inpudent and
truculent, and contend that she must be
humbled before there can be any GER
tainty OF peace for her neighbors.
The report that Guatemala, Nicaragua,
and Honduras have formed a triple alli-
auce for offensive and defensive purposes
Is discussed with many ironlcal comments
on the impotence Of these small States.
II Mexico takes the field with her army,
the newspapers say she might as We'll
fight all three as any one Of them, as it
would be no harder TO beat them.
Another Cabinet council was held this
afternoon, presumably to consider Guate-
malas reply 10 Mexico's final demands.
The nature OF this reply has not been
revealed, but the general understanding
Is that Guatemala is merely fencing for
time. The only positive clue is found in
the governments small-arms factory,
where work is pressed forward with un-
Tagging energy every hour or the day
and night Yesterday an electric-lighr
plsnt was placed in the building to IA
cilitate night-work. The ranks OF the
regiments are filling rapidly and appl-
rently everything is in readiness for sud
den mobilization.
The inhabitants of the State OF Chlapas.
which borders on Guatemala, and the
students Of all the larger towns, have
volunteered to help the government with
money and men In anticipation Of war.
WAR PROBABLY AVERTED.
At 10 o'clock this evening 1t became
known that the Guatemalan minister had
been instructed 10 make concessions.
Neither he nor any member of the Cabi-
net would comment on this report.
Late tonight the opinion gains grounds
that war viii be ayerted. Should Qua
temala, however, revert TO her evasive
and dilatory policy the rupture probably
would come at once.
ANSWER TO CLEVELAND.
WASHINGTON, ID. c.. January 2S-
Secretary Gresham has received an ac-
knOwle1gment from Minister Mariscal Of
Mexico. Of President Cleveland'S message
expressing ;he hope that Mexico and Qua
temala would agree upon some favorable
method Of settling the boundary dispute,
or, failing in that, would agree upon a
reference Of the controversy to friendly
arbitration. The dispatch, which is said
TO be very cordial In tone. Indicates
that Mexico IS thoroughly incensed, and
can only assent to a peaceable settlement
Of the dispute when Guatemala approaches
the subject in more conci.iatory spirit.
II appears that Mexico is avarse TO SUBJ
hitting the boundary matter 70 arbitra-
ton. claiming that the Guatemalan claim
Is of such a preposterouS character that
IL cannot for a moment be entertained.
Minister Mar.scal however, intimates that
IL the claim Is materially modified Mexico
might leave the question OF the damages
already sustained TO friendly arbitration.
Il is understood that Secretary Gresham
has advised Guatemala 70 make further
concessions IN order that the United states
NAV be In better position TO reiterate 10
Mexico our desire to preserve peace with
possibly a little more emphasis.