Mr. Young to Mr. Gresham.
Guatemala and Honduras,
La Libertad, November 12, 1893. (Received November 12.)
Sent the following Friday, at 2 o’clock:
His Excellency Antonio
Lopez,
Minister of Foreign
Relations:
In the name of the United States. I earnestly protest against the insult to the American flag and the illegal act of firing into the American ship Costa Rica on the [Page 155] 6th instant, and I demand a disavowal of this act by your Government and an apology for the same. Will your excellency give me an immediate answer to the above?
I received last night the following in reply:
I have received your dispatch of to-day in which you convey to me that in the name of the United States, and in the most formal manner, you protest against the insult to the American flag and the illegal act of firing on the steamer Costa Rica on the 6th instant, and demand disavowal of the act by this Government and satisfaction. In answer, and by direction of the President, I inform you that this Government has already disavowed and does so now the acts referred to, not having caused them nor ever having had the least intention of causing any offense to the Government of the United States, with which the President always wishes to preserve the best relations, This Government became aware with great pain of such an unfortunate incident, whose details I hastened to transmit by telegraph to you on the 6th instant. As regards the satisfaction, it would be desirable before offering it to know the terms in which you ask it.
The last sentence in original as follows:
En cnanto a la satisfaccion seria conveniente antes de ofrecerla conocer los terminos en que V. E. la pide.
This seems to answer demands so far. Shall I remain here longer? Answer.