Mr. Blame to Mr. Pacheco .
Washington , February 20, 1891 .
Sir: Mr. Kimberly’s dispatch numbered 239, of the 26th ultimo, makes the suggestion that upon your arrival at your post you may find the time propitious for some positive arrangement among the Central American Governments by which the safety and uninterrupted transmission of telegraphic correspondence may be secured in time of disturbance in that quarter. This suggestion has my cordial approval.
On several recent occasions this Government has had good ground to complain of the insecurity of its official correspondence by telegraph with your legation.
In the early part of 1885, during Gen. Barrios’s movement, the difficulties in the way of communication were very great, and inexplicable delays and even suppressions occurred, greatly to the detriment of the interests of this Government. An attempt to cut the coastwise cable, [Page 58] an American enterprise, appeared to be so imminent as to call for urgent remonstrance and precautionary measures toward the protection of the property of citizens of the United States then threatened. Again, in July and August of last year the legation at Guatemala City was almost cut off from communication with this Government during the hostilities between Guatemala and Salvador, although the disturbances and alleged interruption only existed on the common frontier of those States.
Efforts to ascertain the cause of such interruptions and to suggest a remedy have been comparatively fruitless, little having resulted beyond mutual recriminations on the part of the States within whose territories the interruptions occurred, each throwing responsibility upon the other. This outcome was, naturally, quite contrary to the policy and wish of the United States, which, seeking only the effective means of interposing its good offices and snowing its friendship to both contestants alike, could not purpose to cast further causes of contention and ill will among them.
It appears to be unquestioned that the coastwise cables touching at Central American points are entitled to protection from interference. The land lines connecting with those cables are under the responsible control of the government in each of the States. While it may not be possible to prevent their injury during actual war, their willful interruption should be guarded against, and their use, when in working order, should be opened to the diplomatic and consular officers of the United States for official communications with their Government, or with each other, without hinderance or censorship of any kind.
You will endeavor to come to a friendly understanding in this regard with the governments of the several Central American States, none of which, it is supposed, will question the justice or necessity of settling in advance the important question of inviolability of official diplomatic correspondence which is involved.
I am, etc.,