Papers Relating to the Foreign Relations of the United States, With the Annual Message of the President Transmitted to Congress December 5, 1898

Mr. Merry to Mr. Hay.

Legation of the United States,
San Jose, Costa Rica , December 1, 1898 .

No. 174.]

Sir: I have the honor to inclose herewith copy and translation of official telegram received this a.m. by the Government of Costa Rica announcing the final dissolution of the newly formed United States of Central America by the executive council thereof.

With assurances of my highest consideration, etc.,

William Lawrence Merry,
United States Minister.

[Inclosure 1 in No. 174.—Translation.]

[Telegram deposited in Amapala November 29 at 12.40 p.m. Received in San Jose November 30 at 9.20 a.m.]

To the Minister of Foreign Relations:

With real regret I fulfill the duty of advising your excellency that the executive federal council has decided to-day to declare that the existence of the Republic of the United States of Central America is dissolved, not being able to continue in the exercise of its functions consequently. I will send to your excellency separately the documents justifying such a transcendent resolution taken as extraordinary necessity in consequence of the important events in Salvador. Central American patriotism feels injured in its most legitimate interests and leaves the responsibility to those who insisted in destroying their work.

On leaving my post I have the honor to repeat to your excellency the protestations of ray consideration and respect.

J. Sanson.