The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1907-05-22
PEACE MOVE BY D|Az.
Ready to Stop Frequent Wars In
Central American States.
UNION OF REPUBLICS FAVORED
Mexican President Thinks the Five
Should Be AmaIoamated Into One
Under Strong Man-Proposes Joint
proteotorate by United States and
Msxico-War, " Forced, Short.


protectorate BY United States anc
Msxieo-War, " Forced, Short.
In the course Of lengthy interview
In the palace at Mexico City President
DiAx gave to the American people
through the New York Herald, state
ment of the exact feeling Of Mexico
toward Guatemala and his ideas for
remedying the deplornble condition ex-
listing In some OF the Central American
republics:
"Please say to the American people,
said he, ''that Mexico has throughout
all this trouble with Guatemala, which
cane 30 near forcing Ms into war.
maintained the attitude OF friendly
power. That attitude Ia still MAIN
tanned. We do not want to shed blood
to show the Guatemalan government
the error OF Its ways and will not re-
sort to that extreme measure unless
overt act or insult be committed which
viii demand the infiction by Mexico
OF short. sharp punishment
III 4 becomes necessary to have war,
We will make II a very brief one
Mexico's present wonderful develop
ment and progress must not be him
dered by long drawn out conflict.
The blow, II struck, will be hard and
quick.
''This Is the story OF the trouble with
Guatemala: Political refugees from
that country sought an asylum In Mex
leo. The moment they started n rcvo-
lut1Onary movement against Guate-
mala, we interfered and forbade II.
Mexico Il opposed to revolutions of
any kind, whether domestic or aimed
at neighboring nation. The instiga-
tors Of this movement were not only
stopped but held under governmental
surveillance from doing hurt to Guate-
mala.
Then two brutal assassins were
sent from Guatemala. They vilely
murdered in the very shadow of this
palace a distinguished Guatemalan, a
former president OF that country, whom
Mexico was holding almost as a pris-
oner for the welfare Of Guatemala.
The investigation Of the murder i'm
plicated officers high In the Guatema-
Ian army as instigators Of the crime.
THAT the Guatemalan government
and army might clear itself Of this vile
implication we requested that the nc
crsed officers be detained until requi-
sition be effected and they would come
10 this city and deny the charge. II
they were innocent, 1t would put Qua
temala In the right light before the
world. II they could not explain and
were guilty, they should be punished.
Mexico did this In spirit Of abso-
lutte friendlIness and a desire to help
q sister nation. The request was twice
refused on the ground that the offense
charged was political and not criminal
and not covered by tho treaty, which
does not demand that either nation
should give up q citizen for trial, but
at the same time does not forbid 1t.
Rather than settle the matter with
minister to the Central American ma
tions from Guatemala and transferred
him to Salvador, not with the idea Of
severing diplomatic relations with that
country, but to get him out Of the way
Of receiving any insult from that gov
eFnment which would compel Mexico
70 administer deserved punishment
BY force OF arms. There the matter
rests for the time. That Is why there
n no war.
1T is .Aly temporary condition.
however. The problem of the Central
American republics Is great one that
for the benefit Of their salvation must
be settled sooner or later. 1t Is none
OF my business, and am not ambitious
to settle It. Nevertheless / have an
idea. / believe the best solution would
be an amalgamation of all the Central
American countries into one strong
under a man with enough
strength of character and honest COM
mon sense to hold In check the revolu- |
tionary spirit that has done SO much to
retard the progress and development
Of these countries.
Mexico is willing at any time to
with the United States In a !
protectorate over them and In any
measure that will be beneficial. do |
not know the feeling of your govern
nlent In this matter. but assure you
/ stand ready to work with 1t.
II want It distinctly understood, how
ever, that there must be no thought or |
net OF territorial acquisition In this |
Mexico wants no addition. |
Il Is big enough now. We have quite |
enough to do to develop the territory |
We have without acquiring further re
Any report to the con-
trary Is absolutely unfounded.
''Please tell the American people that
the Mexican government stands for
peace and progress. not revolution and
At the close Of the interview David
b. Thompson. United States ambassa-
dor, who was with the Herald CORE
spoke few words Of con.
dolence to General Diaz on tho recent
death Of his mother-in-law. When he
had finished Don porfrio Diaz, the
slron ruler, " the law and the command
ments between the Rio Grande and
Tehuantepec. the father OF our great
sister republic, burst into tears. The
tender heart In the great man to whom
Mexico owes 30 much was revealed.
i