Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1954-07-01
Cease-Fire Extended
In Guatemala, Talks
Fail 10 Bring Accord
BY The Assoeioied Press

SAN SALVADOR. Ell Salvador,
July 1.-Guatemala's rival anti
Communist chieftains haggled
until nearly dawn today in q
vain effort to agree on a peace
settlement which would give
their war-split land its fourth
government In q week.
The peace talks between rebel
Col. Carlos Castillo Armas and
Col. Elfego Monzon, head of
Guatemala's new governing jun
ia, broke up at 3::35 am. Cas-
tilloI Arnas announced he was
returning to his rebel headquar-
tiers at Chiquimula.
In a statement issued to news
men, both leaders said they were
extending until 8 am. tomorrow
the cease-fire In effect between
the rebels and the Guatemalan
army.
Mediator Optimistic.
Ell Salvador's President Oscar
Osorio. acting as mediator,
voiced optimism that a settle
ment could be reached.
But real peace seemed remote
as Monzon's junta rushed troops
to Communist strong points in
Guatemala where vengeful Red
leaders were reported trying to
foment peasant uprisings. Red
indoctrinated farm workers were
said to be melting revolt in Es-
cuintla. Pinula and Conception,
hot-beds of Communism about
80 miles from Guatemala City.
Monzon declined to say whether
he was returning to the Guate-
malan capital. but it was believed
generally he would.
The Joint statement said the
cease-fire had been extended in
order to give both parties time
to consider and study various
proposals to reach an accord.
Neither side would disclose
what proposals were involved
nor what particular point caused
disagreement.
COnferees Dine Together.
After the two colonies held
their initial two-hour secret
session last evening, Osorio told
newsmen: II feel very optimistic.
I believe they will find a formula.
At least that is my desire"
Later the conferees dined to-
gether at Iona Linda. palatial
home Of Rafael Meza Ayau,
Salvadorean Economics Minister
and a beer baron.
After dinner they reconvened
ut Osorio's presidential mansion.
Ell Salvador offered it's good
offices to settle the Guatemalan
conflict after a cease-fire Tues
day ended the shooting-in
theory at least.
Osorio said the junta govern
ment had asked him to mediate,
but that the United States was
taking no part in the talks
since it had not asked to medi-
ate. However, United States
Ambassador Michael McDermott
met the two Guatemalan lead
ers when they arrived in their
separate planes at the airport
here yesterday. ~ ssss .,a.s,-.
Papal Nuncio on Hand.
During last nights conference
the Papal Nuncio to Guatemala,
Msgr. Gennaro Verolino stood by
outside the closed chamber. The
pope's representative said he had
been asked by Monzon to do
what can and help If asked"
United States and Salvadorean
officials expressed hope the talks
would lead to an anti-Red coali-
ton Of Castillo Armas and
Monzon which would wipe out
the Communists who became
intrenched in the Caribbean
land during the regime of
ousted President Jacobo Arbenz
Guzman.
The United States expressed
open concern over Arbenz's re-
gime after the arrival of a $40
million arms shipment in Guate-
mala several weeks ago from
Communist Czechoslovakia. The
growing tension came to a head
June 18 when Castillo Armas
and fellow exiles launched their
invasion from neighboring Hon
duras.
With the talks under way, the
five-nation Inter American
Peace Committee, en- route to
Guatemala to investigate Ar
benz's charges that the country
was being subjected to aggres-
sion from abroad. paused in
Mexico City. The committee,
created by the Organization of
American States, indicated 1t
probably would return to WASH
ington and abandon its mission.
Rebel leaders said that. Zaca-
pa, key Guatemalan rail juno
ton between the capital and the
major Caribbean port of Puerto
Barrios, surrendered to the in
Surgents Tuesday night.