File No. 123L481/40
Minister Leavell to
the Secretary of State
No. 398
American Legation,
Guatemala,
July 30, 1917.
Sir: I have the honor to inform the Department
of an unpleasant incident that occurred on Friday morning, the 27th
instant, and to forward copies of the communications relating to it
which passed between this Legation and the Foreign Office of the
Government of Guatemala. I am enclosing a copy of my note to the Foreign
Minister, a copy, with translation, of his reply, and a copy of my
acknowledgment of that reply.
While these several notes explain the occurrence and record the very full
and complete apology given, I think it well to say this much further in
reference thereto: Immediately upon receiving my note the Foreign
Minister informed President Estrada Cabrera of the occurrence and he
instructed the Minister to call personally on me at once and express to
me the very profound regret of the President, the Government and the
Minister, and to offer the most complete apology, and to say that orders
were immediately issued to punish the officer responsible for the
occurrence as soon as the identity of that officer shall be
determined.
Later in the day the President himself sent his Chief of Staff, General
Haeussler, and his Official Secretary, Mr. Saenz, to convey his own
personal and official regret and to extend his personal apology. And
very soon thereafter came the note of the Foreign Minister referred to
above. As the foregoing seemed to me entirely adequate I declared myself
perfectly satisfied.
Both the President and the Foreign Minister expressed their very profound
thanks that I took the matter up with the Government directly and
personally and afforded the immediate opportunity for the expression of
suitable apologies.
I am informed the law requires that all exemption papers shall be
officially examined at this time of the year whether carried by natives
or foreigners, and unfortunately I did not have with me at the time the
identification and immunity card furnished me by the Foreign Office when
I came here as Minister.
It seems to me that the President, the Government, and the Foreign
Minister have done all that could be expected of them, and I have
expressed my entire satisfaction.
I have [etc.]
[Inclosure 1]
Minister Leavell
to the Minister for Foreign Affairs
No. 592
American Legation,
Guatemala,
July 27, 1917.
Excellency: It becomes my duty to report
to your excellency that near the corner of 4th Avenue and 8th
Street, about 9.15 o’clock this morning, while 1 was taking my usual
morning walk, I was, very much to my surprise, stopped
[Page 753]
by an officer and some
half-dozen soldiers and required to go with them to the barracks
nearby. When first stopped I told the officer that I was the
American Minister, but that seemed to make no difference to him. On
arriving at the barracks I handed the officer my card and demanded
to see the colonel in charge. He went to the rear and did not return
for some little time; and so getting tired of waiting, I started to
come away, whereupon a soldier raised the butt of his gun over me
and other soldiers got in front of me and prevented my leaving.
After about fifteen minutes another officer came and allowed me to
leave.
Will your excellency kindly investigate this.
I avail myself [etc.]
[Inclosure 2—Translation]
The Minister for Foreign
Affairs to Minister Leavell
Department of Foreign Affairs
Guatemala,
July 28, 1917.
Mr. Minister: I have had the honor to
recieve the esteemed note of your excellency, No. 592, dated
yesterday, wherein you inform me that on that same day, at 9.15
o’clock in the morning and on the corner of 4th Avenue and 8th
Street, when your excellency was taking your usual walk, you were
stopped by an officer and several soldiers and taken to the barracks
near by, where, notwithstanding the fact that you handed your card,
you were detained some time without being allowed to leave, until
another officer told you that you could depart.
In reply, I renew to your excellency what I had the honor to express
personally to you regarding this lamentable incident, and in the
name of my Government I present to you the fullest apology for the
occurrence, assuring you at the same time, that from the findings of
the investigation which is being actively conducted, the responsible
persons shall be punished according to law; and that the necessary
steps have already been taken to avoid in the future occurrences of
this nature.
Promising to send to your excellency, at the earliest time possible,
the report which I have requested from the proper authorities
regarding this occurrence, it gives me pleasure to avail myself
[etc.]
[Inclosure 3]
Minister Leavell
to the Minister for Foreign Affairs
No. 595
American Legation,
Guatemala,
July 28, 1917.
Excellency: I have the honor to reply to
your excellency’s courteous communication dated to-day and to state
that the expressions contained therein as to the sentiments of your
excellency’s Government concerning the unfortunate occurrence of
yesterday morning are gratifying and entirely satisfactory, and,
further, that it will give me pleasure to represent the matter in
this sense when I notify my Government of the incident.
I avail myself [etc.]
