814.00/551
The Minister in Guatemala (McMillin) to the Secretary of State
[Received July 23.]
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… As indicated in my cable number 34 of July 12, 1 a.m.,1 Emilio Escamilla resigned as Secretary of War and Felipe Pereira was appointed to succeed him. Very important and interesting developments preceeded this. Escamilla had devoted himself very carefully to the bringing up of the army to an efficient basis. New uniforms were provided, sanitation looked after and proper provisioning not overlooked. To all appearances the condition of the army was better than it had been for years. Escamilla had no doubt of his power with it and its attachment to him. He assured the President accordingly. Less than two weeks ago in a private conversation with the President he assured me of the fine condition in every respect of the army and the police force and of their devotion to their duties. He apprehended no trouble whatever from either.
But, as indicated in Legation’s above referred to cable, there is a fierce contest in Guatemala between the Democratic Party and the Unionista Party for political control. The Unionista Party has had unobstructed sway in all branches of the Government since Cabrera was deposed. While not an active partisan himself and trying to avoid the entanglements of party alliance President Herrera from the beginning has surrounded himself with and been influenced mainly by the Unionista Party. The Democratic Party has a big element of the old Liberal Party in it—the Party to which Estrada [Page 180] Cabrera belonged. In the efforts of the Democrats to get control they began secretly to gain influence with the army. That they succeeded in a very remarkable degree so far as the generals of the army are concerned, is undeniable for suddenly about a week ago it developed that there was a plan devised to control the army through a number of its leading generals. Commanders of some of the main fortresses had been approached and won over. Escamilla could not be convinced that there was anything wrong with the army. But wise officials around the President put agencies to work outside of the War Office to ascertain the exact status of the army. It was found out that a number of the generals were in active sympathy with or engaged in the movement to control the Government. The men charged with being in this condition are General Lima, the head of the active forces, General Ubico, General Orellana and General Monterroso. Others of minor importance are also suspected. At a meeting five or six days ago of the Unionista Party leaders, participated in by the Secretary of War and other high officials the actual situation was made known and freely discussed. At first a large number of those present favored immediate declaration of martial law on account of this peril; and the arrest, trial by court martial and shooting of the chief offenders found guilty. More moderate counsel finally prevailed and the idea of martial law was abandoned. When the new Secretary of War, General Pereira, was appointed without sufficient authority from the Government, he ordered the arrest of the accused officers. The President was quite ill when these things were transpiring and not in a condition to be consulted. The following day he revoked the order for arrest but dismissal of some officers followed. The office of Chief General, held by General Lima, had been abolished by Congress for economy to take effect this month. But it is understood that he has been deposed from all command.
The resignation of the Secretary of War came as a consequence of these various things. Both he and the Government seem to realize that he had allowed the Government to be imperiled by over confidence in the army and want of essential knowledge of what was going on and he tendered his resignation voluntarily. He was tendered the portfolio of Fomento (corresponding to our Interior Department). The official organ of the Government announced that he had accepted it but at this writing there is uncertainty as to whether he will go forward with the discharge of its duties or retire to private life.
The Government authorities believe that this intriguing and undermining of the army was intended to overthrow the Government and make a change from the President down. I think it [Page 181] possible that this is the true version. On the other hand the Democratic leaders insist that there was no such purpose; that the only object was to oust the Unionista Party and put control into the hands of their party. Pursuant to this claim when the generals heard that there was an order issued by the new Secretary of War for their arrest, they sent one of their number, General Oriana, to the President to know why they were to be arrested, to protest against it and to protest that their action was not intended against him but was a movement to have him reform his Government.
When the President revoked the order for the arrest of the Generals the new Secretary of War resigned and General Mendoza was appointed on the 12th as Secretary of War. He is a graduate from the Polytechnic School and his ability and education are highly commended. He has the reputation of being honest and fearless and the appointment is regarded as a good one. This whole situation may be summarized as a very dangerous crisis which came near precipitating a revolution. It was as sudden as it was dangerous for no Government official, high or low, thought such a thing possible a fortnight ago.
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I have [etc.]
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