Papers Relating to the Foreign Relations of the United States, Transmitted to Congress, With the Annual Message of the President, December 1, 1890
Mr. Blaine to Mr. Mizner.
Washington, October 21, 1890.
Sir: I inclose a copy of two dispatches from the United States vice-consul at Tegucigalpa, by which it appears that, notwithstanding your telegram of the 19th ultimo to the vice-consul, mercantile correspondence by means of the cable via La Libertad has continued interrupted since the cessation of hostilities. You will make most earnest representations against the prolongation of a state of things so injurious to friendly commercial relations.
I am, etc.,
Mr. Bernhard to Mr. Blaine.
Tegucigalpa, September 22, 1890. (Received October 17.)
Sir: Respectfully, I inclose copies of telegrams exchanged between this consulate and the legation of the United States of America at Guatemala.
The cable line is still closed, and the damages caused to the American enterprises through the interruption of cables are countless.
I have, etc.,
United States Vice-Consul.
Mr. Bernhard to Mr. Mizner.
Hon. Mr. Mizner, U. S. Minister, Guatemala:
The American citizens of Honduras representing American enterprises are greatly delayed and suffering great damages by the continued closing of the cable lines at San Salvador, and therefore demand of their representative that he take such steps as to afford the necessary relief.
Respectfully,
United States Vice-Consul.
Mr. Mizner to Mr. Bernhard.
George Bernhard, United States Vice-Consul, Tegucigalpa:
The cable line via La Libertad, Salvador, will be open for telegrams to the United States on Monday.
United States Minister.
Mr. Bernhard to Mr. Blaine.
Tegucigalpa, September 27, 1890. (Received October 17.)
Sir: I hereby inclose a dispatch signed by the superintendents of the several American mining companies which I received yesterday.
No comment is necessary to call the valuable attention of the Department of State to the plain fact that, if the cable line should continue under the management of the Government of Salvador, some of these American companies will be forced to declare themselves insolvent, and the bitter and fatal consequences would be loss to the American capitalists, who are largely interested, and disgrace to the American colony of Honduras.
I have, etc.,
United States Vice-Consul.
Mr. Valentine and others to Mr. Bernhard.
Dear Sir: The undersigned are all known to you as owners, managers, or representatives of American mining enterprises in Honduras. You also, know that because of the long time it requires to exchange correspondence with the United States, that we have conducted much of our business by means of the cable company’s line from La Libertad, in Salvador, and thence across Mexico to Galveston. By this means money was transferred from American banks, merchants, and individuals to Honduras banks, merchants, and individuals; shipments of bullion announced, orders for machinery and supplies sent, or negotiations conducted. You are also aware that soon after the death of President Menendez, of Salvador, June 22, this cable communication was suspended, and the telegraph lines of Salvador were closed to us during the war that occurred between Salvador and Guatemala, and which concluded with the reëstablishment of peace between those Republics on or about the 27th day of August last. You are also well aware of the fact that the Government of Honduras has energetically endeavored to have this cable communication with the United States reëstablished. You also know that to this date cable communication with the United States is not permitted by the Government of Salvador, and that great injury is suffered by citizens of the United States doing business in Honduras. To this date, we are positively advised, no American has been able to receive a cable from the United States in reply to any of many messages sent since last August. It is true that some old messages dated in July and August have been forwarded and received, dates so old that they are useless. It is perfectly apparent that the Government of Salvador persistently designs the injury of the affairs and prosperity of Honduras, and in enforcing this obstruction of communication over the territory of Salvador the foreign enterprises, chiefly American and English, are the greatest direct or immediate sufferers and this Republic the ultimate loser. There are about twenty American companies operating in Honduras, with several millions of dollars invested. Some of these are already heavy losers, some have suspended work and are threatened with bankruptcy, because of the refusal of the Government of Salvador to permit the remission and exchange of money in the established and usual manner. We are ignorant as to whether the American cable company suffers any loss or receives indemnity against loss. Speaking for ourselves only, we have, through you, protested to the minister of the United States resident in Guatemala, and have also sent our protest to [Page 121] him directly, not communicating through yon. But that gentleman seems to be either helpless or indifferent regarding this most unwarranted attitude of the Government of Salvador. So far as we can observe, we have yet no hope of redress because of any demands by our official representatives in Central America.
We can only band you the facts and request that you forward to the Home Government. Our commercial privileges are outraged, and we can but endure the outrage while waiting to see if our Government will demand the privileges to which, as citizens, we are entitled by international usage in time of peace.
We are painfully aware that in some of these countries for very many years American citizens have felt that they have not enjoyed the same proportion of protection which other nations accorded their people abroad. The American has felt the inferiority and humiliation of his position if compared with a citizen of Europe. The Government of Honduras accords us fully all the rights to which we are entitled, and we feel perfect security in so far as we are dependent on the administration of the affairs of this Republic.
As no more fatal blow could be struck against the extension of American commerce and enterprise than the one against which we protest, we wait with anxiety the action of our own Government in effecting restoration of our communications with other countries.
Very respectfully,
- W. J. Valentine.
- E. A. Jacoby.
- F. M. Imboden.
- G. W. Gibson.
- Richard Crow.
- C. H. Aaron.
- EM. Payne.
- Geo. S. Colman.
- J. E. Foster.