No. 78.
Mr. Bayard
to Mr. Hall.
Washington, February 1, 1887.
Sir: I transmit herewith, for your information, copy of a dispatch* from Consul Du Pré, at San Salvador, reporting the situation in Central America, and especially the political movements which appear to [Page 99] point toward a coercive movement of Nicaragua and Salvador against Honduras.
Past experience has shown how deplorable are these constant conflicts between the Central American stages, and how much the domestic prosperity of those commonwealths and their profitable intercourse among themselves and with the commercial world are impaired by such interruptions of good relations.
In the intervals of peace, the capital and developing enterprise of citizens of the United States have sought a field in Central America. This mutually beneficial movement has been especially marked since the occurrences of 1885, when the notable collapse of the aggressive policy of certain of the states against their neighbors held out a prospect of a long continued era of good will and tranquillity. Thousands of American citizens, with millions of dollars, are to-day in Central America under the guaranties of law and order there, and in the confidence that good administration and a due respect for international relations will efficiently protect them in the peaceable enjoyment of their liberties and rights.
It could not fail to be a matter of grave concern to the Government of the United States were the peace of Central America to be again disturbed, and the interests of our peaceable citizens there imperilled, by methods so utterly at variance with the sound principles of republican government. It is not indeed reasonably to be apprehended that coercion and forcible interference will be resorted to, against the peace and independence of their neighbors, by those states, which have so lately been so unsparing in their denunciation of, and so active in their opposition to, such a course when it was directed against themselves.
The Government of the United States is disinterestedly the friend equally of all the Central American Republics. You have heretofore been repeatedly instructed to use every effort permissible within the scope of good offices to promote an amicable understanding between them and to avert the arbitration of the sword. You will continue to do so.
I am, etc.,
- Not printed herewith.↩