Mr. Hovey to Mr. Seward.
Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt, on the 19th instant, of your despatch No. 10, dated April 21st, enclosing a copy of your communication to Señor F. S. Asta Buruaga, the chargé d’affaires of Chili at Washington. According to your instructions I, on the 24th ultimo, transmitted a copy of your communication to Señor Asta Buruaga to Mr. Pacheco, the minister for foreign affairs here, together with a note from myself, a copy of which is enclosed, (enclosure 1.) Desiring to ascertain the feeling of the ministers representing in Peru the republics of Chili, Bolivia, and Ecuador, I, on the 27th ultimo, invited them to an informal and confidential conference, during which I said to them:
“Gentlemen: I have asked you to do me the honor to meet at my house to-day that I might read to you a despatch recently received from Mr. Seward on the subject of the war which unhappily exists between your respective countries and the government of Spain.
“It is my intention to place before Mr. Seward the political aspect of the Spanish-American war as I view it from Peru, which view I will briefly state to your excellencies. It is:
“That the war thus far has been prosecuted with mutual bitterness and serious disadvantage to all concerned; that, since the commencement of hostilities, the allies are more than ever resolved to meet war with war, and aggression with retaliation; that, if the war be continued as it has been begun, the only certain results will be incalculable bloodshed, loss of treasure, and the engendering of national hatreds; that the temper and resources of the belligerents equally promise a protracted conflict, and that a stubborn war would entail calamity on all the combatants which nothing could justify but the preservation of national honor. I believe the present hour is opportune for the re-establishment of friendly relations; and although it is considered contrary to the policy of the government which I. represent to consent to act as arbitrator in the involvements of foreign powers, it is yet compatible with my duty to offer such suggestions as seem to me prudential and fruitful of further thought or action. I have therefore asked for this informal conference, in the hope that, out of our mutual interchange of sentiment, there might be evolved some idea that would reopen negotiation between the belligerents, and possibly lead to peaceful solution of the difficulty.
“I purpose to forward to my government some report of our conclusions on this important subject, and I hope we may be able to suggest some plan of reconciliation which may be adopted or so modified as to meet the approbation of the belligerents.
“In the settlement of the question three difficulties seem to me to present themselves:
“First, a delicacy as to which party should offer negotiations for peace.
“Secondly, the etiquette to be observed in making national recognitions or salutes; and,
[Page 647]“Thirdly, the unsatisfied claims of the contending parties.
“Permit me, gentlemen, to offer for your consideration a crude outline of what I believe would meet the emergency:
“First. All the powers interested shall simultaneously issue a confidential note, addressed to the government of the United States, not as to an arbitrator, but as to a sympathizing friend.
“In this note they shall frankly deplore the evils of the war, and strongly set forth the valid reasons for a cessation of hostilities now, when it can be effected with honor.
“Secondly. Should negotiation be opened, and friendly intercourse be renewed, it would then be wise and decorous for the powers involved to salute each others flag wherever they respectively have forts or war vessels.
“Thirdly. The entente cordiale once restored, to submit their money claims, supported by the arguments of reason and arithmetic, to disinterested arbitration.
“Lastly. Permit me to inquire whether you think it advisable to suggest an armistice pending the consideration of these questions?”
The ministers replied in vague terms, generally acquiescent, but declined to offer any suggestions on their own part, or to modify those thrown out by me, without first consulting their respective governments. The conference closed with mutual assurances of esteem, and on the next day I stated the substance of the conversation to Minister Pacheco, by whose comments and from all the surrounding circumstances I am impressed with the conviction that Peru, Bolivia, and Ecuador would willingly close with proposals similar to those hinted in my conversation, but, I believe, at the present time, Chili would be indisposed to treat for peace. That republic seems deeply mortified by the action of the Spanish fleet at Valparaiso, and would, no doubt, be pleased to have the last laurels of the war rest on her own brow.
As directed, I herewith remit to you a copy, together with the translation, of Mr. Pacheco’s reply to your note to Señor Asta Buruaga, (enclosure 2.)
Hoping that my action in the premises will meet with your approval, I am, sir, very respectfully your obedient servant,
Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State, Washington, D. C.