Mr. Merry to Mr.
Hay.
Legation of the United States,
San Jose, Costa Rica, December 10, 1898.
No. 178.]
Sir: I have the honor to inclose herewith
documents which may be of interest in connection with the dissolution of
the newly formed Estados Unidos de Centro America.
With assurances, etc.,
William Lawrence Merry,
United States Minister.
[Inclosure 1 in No.
178.—Translation]
Executive power—General
ministry.
Considering that the compact of Amapala, celebrated in June, 1895,
and all that proceeds therefrom, has not obtained the legitimate
sanction of the Salvadorean people, and moreover has been a
violation of the political constitution of Salvador; that the
assembled constituent assembly of Managua, reunited in June of the
present year, the deputies of Salvador were not directly elected by
the Salvadorean people, and for that reason had no legal authority
to concur to a constituent law that could bind the Republic; that
the union with the Republics of Honduras and Nicaragua under the
contracted terms will seriously injure the interests of Salvador,
decrees:
- Art. 1. The Republic of Salvador
is not obliged, by the contract of Amapala, to acknowledge
any authority in the constitution of Managua of the 27th
August of the current year, and it is released from the
contract of union with the Republics of Honduras and
Nicaragua.
- Art. 2. The Republic of Salvador
assumes in full its self-government and independence, and
will enter into the union with the sister Republics of
Central America when the same is convenient to its positive
interests and is the express and free will of the
Salvadorean people.
Given in the Executive Palace, November 25, 1898.
- T. Regalado,
General of Division and Provisional
President of the Republic of Salvador.
- E. Aranjo,
The General Minister.
[Inclosure 2 in No.
178.—Translation.]
A circular from the general ministry.
San
Salvador, November 30,
1898.
Señor Governor of the
Department, present:
You will please make public the following:
Peace in the Republic is now a real and positive fact, without fear
that anyone may be able to disturb it. The federal council was
dissolved yesterday in Amapala through want of any assistance.
The Republics of Nicaragua and Honduras have assumed, like Salvador,
their autonomy and independence, and we have now frank and friendly
relations with their respective Governments. The Government of the
country occupies itself now in mustering out its troops, keeping
only those needed for the conservation of public order. All the
Salvadoreans can now quietly devote themselves to their industries,
and, without distinction, may be certain of enjoying every guarantee
and that the Government is determined to preserve the peace, in
order that it may bring prosperity to the country and well-being for
all.
Your obedient servant,
[Inclosure 3 in No.
178.—Translation.]
Decree issued at Managua, December 1, 1898.
Inasmuch as the federal executive council, installed at Amapala on
the 1st ultimo, has declared dissolved the Republic of the United
States of Central America by act of the 29th of same month, obliging
the State of Nicaragua to reassume its sovereignty, therefore the
council of ministers decrees:
- First. Nicaragua assumes her full sovereignty of a free
and independent Republic, and in consequence the
constitution of 1893, with the reforms of 1896, will
continue in force throughout.
- Second. The department of foreign relations is
reestablished and annexed to that of Gobierno
[Interior].
- Third. All danger of peace and public tranquillity not
having yet disappeared, the martial law ruling prior to 1st
November last remains in force.
- Fourth. With this decree report shall be made at the next
assembly of the national legislature and will take effect
from its publication.
Signed: J. S. Zelaya, and by ministers of the departments of
interior, treasury, instruction, and development.
