No. 62.
Mr. Hall to
Mr. Bayard.
Legation of
the United States in Central America,
Guatemala, November 3, 1886.
(Received November 20.)
No. 579.]
Sir:
* * * * * * *
I have the honor to inform you that about a month ago the minister of foreign
affairs of Guatemala tendered the good offices of his Government to those of
the two states (Nicaragua and Costa Rica) for the settlement of their
pending questions. To-day the minister informs me that both Governments have
accepted the proffered mediation of Guatemala; that the negotiations will be
transferred to this capital, and that each party will send a minister with
full-powers and instructions.
[Page 74]
I shall forward copies of the correspondence between these Governments as
soon as I can obtain them; in the mean time I inclose translations of Señor
Cruz’s note and of the telegrams to which he refers.
I have, etc.,
[Inclosure 1 in No.
579.—Translation.]
Señor Cruz to Mr.
Hall.
Guatemala, November 3,
1886.
My Dear Sir: For your personal information I
have the pleasure to inclose copies of the telegrams that the ministers
for foreign affairs of Nicaragua and Costa Rica have addressed to me in
reply to the notes from this Government offering them its good offices
for the settlement of the questions pending between those states.
With high consideration, I am, etc.,
[Inclosure 2 in No.
579.—Telegram.—Translation.]
Señor Elizondo to
Señor Cruz.
Managua, November 1,
1886. (Received in Guatemala November 2 at 5
p.m.)
I received in due course your very courteous note of October 2, in which
you are pleased to offer to this Government the friendly mediation of
that of Guatemala, in the question now being discussed between this
Republic and Costa Rica. Yesterday I received a telegram from, the
minister for foreign affairs of Costa Rica, in which he informs me that
he had received from your Government a similar note. The minister adds
that he accepts the mediation, and that he desires, in case Nicaragua
also accepts, that the negotiations be transferred to Guatemala in order
that the friendly offices of the mediating Government may be more
efficient.
My Government thanks yours for the friendly and fraternal sentiments of
which it has given proof in its above-mentioned note. In view thereof,
and of the fact that Nicaragua has endeavored, by all the means at her
command, to obtain a solution in harmony with the rights and interests
of both countries, and inasmuch as Costa Rica has already accepted the
proffered mediation of the Guatemalan Government, Nicaragua also accepts
it with satisfaction, and in due time will send her minister to that
capital.
By mail, I shall have the pleasure to answer your referred-to note.
I am, etc.,
[Inclosure 3 in No.
579.—Telegram.—Translation.]
Señor Esquivel to
Señor Cruz.
San
José, Costa Rica, October 31, 1886.
(Received at Guatemala
November 3 at 11 a.m.)
I have received the interesting note in which you inform me that your
Government is disposed to mediate, with its good offices, in our
differences with Nicaragua. My Government considers the noble attitude
of yours a proof of its praiseworthy purpose to contribute efficiently
towards the conservation of fraternal relations between the peoples of
Central America. Such laudable conduct highly honors Guatemala, and I
hasten to manifest to you that my Government accepts her mediation with
thanks.
I have telegraphed to the Government of Nicaragua to ascertain whether
they are also determined to accept the friendly offer of Guatemala, and
if so, that I deem it advisable to transfer the negotiations to that
capital. I am convinced that the matter will be dealt with
advantageously to the two states by a Government which shows itself to
be the friend of both. If Nicaragua responds to our wishes, my
Government will soon send a minister to Guatemala with suitable powers
and instructions.
I am, etc.,
