Mr. Dudley to Mr. Hay.
Lima, Peru , May 10, 1904 .
Sir: A convention for the arbitration of the boundary question between Peru and Colombia was signed yesterday afternoon at Lima. The submission is to the King of Spain, and it is stipulated, as in the tripartite convention of 1894, annulled three months ago, that his award shall be based not alone upon the strict legal rights of the high contracting parties, but upon considerations of reciprocal convenience weighed in a spirit of equity.
A modus vivendi was established for the maintenance of the existing possession and jurisdiction which Peru has in the basin of the Napo, and Colombia in the basin of the Yapurá, or Caquetá, and for the withdrawal of the authorities of both countries from the basin of the Putumayo, until the award is made. Should the exigencies of commerce or other emergency render it advisable to place authorities or customs officers in the Putumayo basin, it is stipulated that the steps to be taken shall be authorized by an agreement hereafter to be entered into.
I will forward a copy of the treaty as soon as it can be obtained.
I have, etc.,