The minister embraced the occasion to express an earnest desire to see the
Government of the United States take the lead in all measures which have for
their object the improvement in the commercial and political condition of
Spanish-American republics.
[Inclosure 1.—Translation.]
Protocol of a conference held between the Peruvian
minister for foreign affairs and the resident embassador of Colombia
relative to an interoceanic canal
José de la Riva Aguera, Peruvian minister for foreign affairs, and
Teodore Valenzuela, resident minister of Colombia, having met in the
foreign office with the object of taking into consideration the
projected work of an interoceanic canal, the first said
“The government of Peru has regarded with interest the plan of an
interoceanic canal across the isthmus which divides the two continents
of America, and believes that such a work will affect not only
civilization and the commerce of the world in general, but in a special
manner the political and commercial interests of Peru. Inspired by this
idea in the treaties which were celebrated with the republics of Costa
Rica and Nicaragua in 1857, certain, stipulations were inserted tending
to the establishment of an interoceanic highway, but unfortunately this
agreement was not ratified, and this grand work remained a mere project.
But that now, knowing that this question is being debated afresh, he
should wish Señor Valenzuela to be good enough to tell him if the
Colombian government had celebrated any treaty with any other
government, or any private company whatever, for the carrying out of the
work, and if, in case such an agreement had not been entered into, if
they were disposed to enter into a negotiation with Peru, either to
undertake the work jointly, or with the help of all the Spanish American
republics which are interested in its completion, or, at least, with the
participation of Peru, giving her the share in the profits and
advantages to which her help might entitle her.”
The Colombian minister replied:
That it was very satisfactory to him to see that the Peruvian government
understood so well the importance of an interoceanic canal, whose
results would doubtless be favorable to Peru, taking into consideration
the daily increasing importance of its principal port, Callao, and the
rapid progress of Peruvian commerce in the last few years.
That the Colombian government was not, at present, bound by any treaty in
the affair, although few years ago two understandings were come to with
the United States of America for the excavation of the canal, and the
last was even approved of by the Congress of Colombia with certain
modifications. The Congress of the United States had no opportunity of
discussing it, and in the mean time the period for the exchange of
ratifications had passed.
Therefore, Colombia has entire liberty of action in the matter, with
regard to which there is, at present, no other practical fact worthy of
mention than the permission granted to the American Government to send
exploring parties into the States of Cauca and Panama, explorations
which are about to be repeated, as has been announced by the press.
[Page 761]
Colombia is therefore disposed to treat with Peru, and would see with the
greatest pleasure this great undertaking, which would be the most
important work of our age, carried out with the intervention of that
republic and the remainder of America; but, if such a thing were not
possible, she would be inclined to give Peru whatever intervention the
latter might take in the work, giving her, of course, a share of the
profits and advantages to which her participation might entitle her.
Colombia perfectly understands that the community of interests which a
canal would establish between her and the republics that might take part
in the undertaking would be a powerful and durable link in the chain of
close union with which she desires to be bound to her sisters.
The foreign minister said: “That in view of the frank and friendly
disposition which animates the Colombian government, and taking into
consideration the fact set forth by Señor Valenzuela, that an American
exploring expedition was about to visit the Isthmus, his government
would like to add some competent persons to it in order that they might
be informed of the practicability and cost of the work, if such an
addition to this commission could possibly be made, and meanwhile, that
is to say, until such intelligence had been obtained, which would be
duly communicated to the Colombian government, the preliminary
negotiations relative to the work could go on.”
The Colombian minister said that he accepted, in the name of his
government, the idea of sending a party of engineers to join the
American exploring party, and whose admission the Colombian government
would be glad to recommend. They would, besides, furnish every
assistance in their power in order to further the ends of the
commission, considering it as sent by themselves; hoping that the
minister would be good enough to let him know in time the names of the
parties who might be selected by his government.
The interview being at an end, it was resolved to draw up the present
protocol, which has been signed in duplicate.
- I. DE LA RIVA AGUERA.
- THEODORE VALENZUELA.
