[Inclosure in No.
197.—Translation.]
Mr. Sansón to Mr.
Merry.
Executive Federal Council of the United States of
Central America,
Amapala, November 29,
1898.
Sir: The executive federal council was
inaugurated in this city on the 1st instant, putting into force the
political constitution of the United States of Central America,
decreed by the constituent of Managua the 27th August of this year.
This political entity was born to national life with the spontaneous
assemblage of the Governments of the States of Nicaragua, Honduras,
and El Salvador as signers of the pact of Amapala, that has been the
chief generator of the idea of union, and with all the assistance of
public opinion frankly manifested through the organs of the press of
most authority and by the majority of the political clubs of these
States.
It seemed as if the work of national union, so longed for by Central
American patriotism, was consolidated, presenting in the lap of
peace the charming fruit of order and of liberty. The council
complied religiously with the mandate of the law, and in its first
work of organization was directed in the straight path of justice,
without overlooking the peculiarities of these countries, in order
not to wound for a moment the customs of many years; but before
entering upon the full exercise of its functions and taking into its
hands the means of public administration that corresponded to its
constitutional sphere, it was surprised by the cry of rebellion that
the barracks of the State of El Salvador raised against it,
proclaiming as supreme head Gen. Tomas Regalado, who declared
dissolved the Federal Republic in name of the people of Salvador,
who submitted through the force of arms to his will.
As soon as it had knowledge of the successes the executive federal
council exerted itself to suffocate the rebellious movement, and in
this noble effort employed all the means that patriotism demands
under the circumstances.
Unfortunately events took place with great rapidity, many military
commanders in the service of the federation failed in their duty and
weakened the prompt and timely action of the council, and in
consequence the State of El Salvador remained in fact separated from
the body of the Republic.
In presence of occurrences so serious that the council found it
impossible to overcome them for the reasons given, and through the
circumstance of its recent installation it not being permissible to
remove many of the military commanders who were not in its
confidence, it has seen itself under the painful necessity of
declaring the Republic of the United States of Central America
dissolved, and the council being unable to continue in the exercise
of its powers, declines in its persons the responsibility of the
rupture of the federation.
Upon bringing the foregoing to the knowledge of your excellency, in
order that you may duly place it before your Government, I have the
honor to repeat the assurances of my highest esteem, etc.
