Mr. McKinney to Mr. Gresham.
Bogota , August 24, 1893 . (Received September 20.)
Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your No. 6,* dated July 11. 1893, relating to the boundary dispute between the governments of Colombia and Costa Rica.
In accordance with your instructions, I have had an interview with the secretary for foreign affairs and endeavored to impress upon him the importance to all parties concerned of the settlement of this dispute.
He informs me that his Government is at the present time preparing a basis for a new treaty with Costa Rica on the boundary question and hopes to be able to present it to Costa Rica for their approval in a few weeks.
They propose to submit the question of arbitration to the Government of Spain; that the decision of the arbitrator shall be final and go into immediate effect; that the governments of Colombia and Costa Rica shall divide the expenses, etc.
He has promised to forward to this legation a copy of the draft before it is submitted to Costa Rica.
I will cable the Department of State when the draft is forwarded to Costa Rica, and I would suggest that, if it appears fair to both parties concerned, you urge upon the Government of Costa Rica the acceptance of the treaty, to the end that this long disputed question may be finally settled.
I am, etc.,