The evening times., 1899-09-23
TIE GUATEMALAN AFFAIR
Serious Charges Made by Americans
Against the Government
The Matter Involves the Case of
Minister Hunter-Aneged Seizure
of n Railroad-The Issues Still Un-
der Consideration by the State De-
partment-Officials Very Retieent.

There is serious dispute between
Guatemala, Central America, which the
State Department is expected to bring to
an issue in few days 1t involves a
claim of several hundred thousand dol
lars, an alleged military outrage on Ameri-
can citizens and a charge against United
States Minister Godfrey Hunter of coIlu-
sion with the Guatemalan Government to
defraud said American citizens.
Last March r.. H. May. of Meridian,
Miss. in company with his counsel. Sena-
tor w. Y. A. Sullivan, and Mr.. Wither-
spoon. of the same State, appeared before
Secretary Hay and the President and in
voked the interference of this Government
in the matter OF the claim of Mr.. May for
some s25O,00o from Guatemala, alleged to
have been created by the seizure of the
Guatemalan Northern Railway by former
President Barros. At the time OF the al
legged seizure the railway was in course OF
construction by Mr. May. the contractor.
The ownership of the road. it was claim
ed. was vested in the Americans who had
duly secured concessions and the right Of
way from the Government of Guatemala
About $50 miles of the road were under
construction when it was seized by force
by the Guatemalan Government Contrac-
tor May and his workmen, 1t was alleged,
were forced to abandon the road at the
point of the bayonet.
Minister Hunter, ii is claimed, was ap-
pealed to by the Americans for protection,
but, so far from granting 1t or aiding them
IN the recovery OF the property, he acted,
1t is said, in sympathy with President Ear
ros, and the Americans were compelled to
| appeal to the President CT the United
States. at the same time lodging their
complaints against Minister Hunter
The President and the State Department
have had this matter under adYisement
With the Guatemaian Government since
last March. In the meantime the COM
| plainants were enjoined 10 secrecy pend
ing the arbitration between the two coun-
| tries. Agents CT the State Department are
now in Guatemala.
Minister Hunter was summonel to Wash-
ington last June and was heard in regard
to the charges against him. Sirce the case
has been in the hands OF the State Depart
ment, May and Sullivan have come re-
peatediy to Washington. but what has been
accomplished toward a settlement of the
case still remains diplomatic secret.
! IT was said that at one time the Ameri-
can claimants requested the President to
send a gunboat TO Guatemala to enforce
their rights. but that President Mckinley
chose moderation and preferred to settle
the matter by diplomatic means.
Since the seizure of the railroad, Pre5i-
dent Barros has died and the present ex-
ecutiye OF the republic is said to be over
whelmed with legacy debt of $50, COG, ,0G0,
| owed TO United States, British, and Ger
man capitalists. The country. it is said,
is bankrupt, and all foreign creditors are
| clamoring through their respective gov
ernment for settlement.
Few of the details or facts in the case
have been made known on this side of the
water, the State Department still keeping
the matter q profound secret.