Office of the Historian

No. 210.
Mr. Dichman to Mr. Evarts.

Legation of the United States,
Bogotá, September 7, 1880. (Received October 12.)
No. 205.]

Sir: The relations between Colombia and Chili having been of an unfriendly nature for some time past on account of the alleged acts of Colombian officials at Panama, which the Government of Chili has considered as violations of neutrality and of the treaty in force between the two countries, I am happy to inform you that harmony has been restored by the execution of a treaty between the two countries, a copy and translation of which I beg to inclose.

The principle which underlies the treaty is the submission of all matters in dispute to arbitration; and in connection therewith your attention is respectfully called to Article II, which constitutes the President of the United States the arbitrator.

The proposition contained in Article III, to induce other nations to make similar treaties, and to make the practice of arbitration in the settlement of international disputes a principle of international law, is worthy of consideration, as tending to bring about a peaceful settlement of many misunderstandings, the seeds of which have existed in all the Spanish American countries from the time of the colonial period down to the present day.

* * * * * * *

I am, &c.,

ERNEST DICHMAN.
[Inclosure in No. 205.—Translation.]

convention for the preservation of peace between chili and colombia.

The Republic of Chili and the United States of Colombia, desiring to give a solid foundation to the cordial relations of friendship which have always existed between the two nations, and at the same time to affirm the sentiments of international fraternity which must serve as the foundation of the prosperity and peace of the Americas, have resolved, with this object, to celebrate a convention, and to that effect have named their plenipotentiaries, that is to say:

  • His excellency the President of the Republic of Chili has appointed Don Francisco Valdes Vergara, chargé d’affaires of the said republic in the United States of Colombia.
  • His excellency the President of the United States of Colombia has appointed Don Rustacio Santamaria secretary of foreign relations;

Who, after exchanging their full powers, found to be in due and proper form, have agreed upon the following articles:

  • Article I. The Republic of Chili and the United States of Colombia contract the obligation in perpetuity to submit to arbitration whatever controversies or difficulties may arise between the two nations, notwithstanding the zeal with which their respective governments will constantly endeavor to avert them, when by diplomacy they cannot succeed in giving them a satisfactory solution.
  • Art. II. The selection of an arbitrator, whenever the necessity may arise that one be named, will be made by a special agreement, which will also clearly determine the question in dispute and the manner of proceeding to be observed during the progress of the arbitration. If there should not be harmony in celebrating this agreement, or if it should be expressly agreed to dispense with this formality, the arbitrator, fully authorized to exercise the functions of such, will be the President of the United States of America.
  • Art. III. The Republic of Chili and the United States of Colombia will procure the celebration, at the first opportunity, of similar conventions with the other American nations, to the end that the settlement of every international dispute, by means of arbitration, may become a principle of American public law.
  • Art. IV. This convention will be ratified by the high contracting parties, according to their respective formalities, and the ratifications will be exchanged in Santiago or Bogotá within one year, counting from this day, or sooner if possible.

In witness whereof we have signed our names at Bogotá, this third day of September, one thousand eight hundred and eighty.

  • FRANCISCO VALDÉS VERGARA.
  • EUSTACIO SANTAMARÍA.
United States of Colombia,
National Executive Power,
Bogotá, September 3, 1880.

The present convention is approved.

The President of the Union:
RAFAEL NUÑEZ
.
The Secretary of Foreign Relations:
EUSTACIO SANTAMARÍA
.