Mr. Bayard to Mr. Hall.
Washington, April 23, 1885.
Sir: I have received your No. 329 of the 26th ultimo in regard to the proposed Central American Union, and my telegram to you of the 24th of that month relative to the ninth article of the decree of March 5, 1885, as it concerned the treaties of the several states of Central America with other nations.
The annulment of the decree of February 28th last (March 5), since reported, does away with the importance of the incident. This Government’s inquiry was prompted by the sweeping nature of the ninth article of the decree and by the uncertainty as to whether it embraced all treaties which might not have been perfected by ratification and exchange before February 28, the verb concluir in this sense being ambiguous. Mr. Cruz’s declaration that it only intended to refer to treaties signed after that date agrees with Mr. Batres’ announcements, but Mr. Batres did not add that it only intended to refer to those states which adhered to the movement for union. In this aspect the logic of this limitation is not evident.
I am, &c,