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.
San Jose, Costa Rica, December 10, 1898.
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.,
United States Minister.
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.
- T. Regalado,
General of Division and Provisional President of the Republic of Salvador. - E. Aranjo,
The General Minister.
A circular from the general ministry.
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,
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.