Mr. Mizner to Mr. Blaine.
Guatemala, August 20, 1890. (Received September 5.)
Sir: As to the detention and interruption of our official telegrams in these countries, I have the honor to say that on my arrival at Acajutla, in Salvador, on the 8th instant, I addressed a note to the Provisional President on the subject, receiving an answer next day at La Libertad. Similar inquires and answers have been made and received in this Republic, all of which answers are so in conflict with information in my possession that I desire to investigate the matter further before giving you my conclusions. I may state, however, that my experience in this connection is very similar to that of my immediate predecessor, as described in his dispatches Nos. 331 and 332 of March 27 and April 6, 1885.
The confusion has been even greater than at that time. The direct wire connecting this capital with the cable at La Libertad passes through the lines of the beligerents, and has, of course, been obstructed.
The other wire, passing through Honduras, has been interrupted. The wire direct to my colleague in the city of Mexico and the other via Paso del Norte, Bonilla & Co. Agency, have been subject to the accidents and delays incident to a long line through a sparsely populated country.
As my written dispatches by Livingston and New Orleans reach you in about 16 days, with the exception of those recently lost on the City of Dallas, of which duplicates have been forwarded, I trust that the public interest has not suffered.
I have, etc.,