Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-04-29
GERMAN PLOTS CAUSED
GUATEMALA TO BREAK
Minister Mendez Issues Statement
Placing Resources Of Republic
at Disposal Of o..

German plots against the independs
ence OF Guatemala and all of Central
America caused the Guatemalan gov
eminent to sever relations with Ger
many, according to a statement issued
by Minister Joaquin Mendez last night,
placing the territorial waters. harbors
and railroad lines and all other ele-
ments at the disposal of the United
States for common defense.
Minister Mendez says his country
stands for the rights OF the people.
the freedom of the seas and universal
Justice
Guatemala. which has always been a
sincere and loyal friend of the United
States" the statement continued. takes
pleasure and pride in finding itself
Identified more than ever with the
by the government of Washington In
the crisis which the world is going
through.
Prompt to Cooperate With q. 8.
Immediately after the American
minister. DR.. William Hayne Leavell.
and the legation in Washington were
informed as to the attitude of the Unit
ed States on the submarine warfare
without restrictions threatened by the
German imperial government, the gov
eminent of Guatemala hastened to de-
clare to the government in washington
that, understanding the motives which
had obliged 1t to take that attitude and
the seriousness of the measures taken
by the Germans against neutral COM
merce. it was disposed to cooperate
with the United States in its exalted
ends in favor of the peace of the world.
and that it would opportunely take the
same attitude as the United States. to
which Guatemala is bound by the most
solid and closest ties.
'In answering the note of German
Minister Lehemann about submarine
warfare, the government Of Guatemala
Guatemala. after a careful study OF the
measures taken by the German !mpe-
rial government as to she suspension OF
commerce with Great Britain, France.
measures endanger unjustly the lives
Of the citizens OF Guatemala who
travel in those countries and that they
inture highly the country's commerce.
which has already suffered great losses
since the beginning of the war.
Reserved Right to Act.
LAS this situation is not in aeree-
ment with the principles of interna-
tional law. nor with the impartial cons
duct of Guatemala during the stru8-
gle Of the nations OF Europe. ! have
the honor. in the name of the Presi-
dent of Guatemala, to present to the
German imperial government, through
your excellency. respectful but FORM
al protest against the measure
taken against neutral commerce, At
the same time reeerving its rights for
the injuries that the attitude OF the
government Of Germany may cause TO
the persons and interests OF the citi-
Gems Of this republic"
Mexico Formally Notified.
MEXICO CITY. April 2s.-The Mexi-
can government was formally notified
today that Guatemala had broken re-
lations with Germany. There are many
German planters. coffee exporters and
business men in Guatemala. where
much German capital also is invested.
In some circles here 1t is felt that the
severance of relations may cause many
Of these Germans to come into Mexico.
Ernesto Garza pe.ez' actins s., i1re e,ts
ment of Germans into Mexico from
Guatemala probably would depend on
measures Instituted by the Guatemalan
government. He stated. however. that
Mexico would observe strict neutrality
in that event.
The communication from the Guate-
malan government stating that rela-
tions with Germany had been broken.
has not yet been answered by the Mex
lean government. and probably VIII
bring only an acknowledgment of its
receipt.
Senior Perez declared that Guate-
mala's move would not complicate the
situation as regards Mexico in any
way.
1t is understood here that Guatemala
has thrown strong forces along the
boundary between that country ana
Mexico.