Office of the Historian

File No. 7357/2.

The Honduranean Minister to the Acting Secretary of State.

[Translation.]
The Honduranean Legation,
Washington, July 4, 1907.

Sir: I had the honor to call at the Department of State on the 2d and 3d instant for the purpose of obtaining of your excellency an interview in which I might briefly explain the existing situation in Honduras and inquire of the Government of which your excellency forms an important part what would be the requisite conditions for the official recognition of the Government of my country.

The interview did not take place, and I venture to submit to your excellency the following statement in writing:

1.
The provisional government over which General Don Miguel R. Dávila presides in Honduras has been recognized throughout the Republic and in the neighboring countries and is performing its functions in a normal and peaceful manner;
2.
There is no apprehension of internal disturbances, as under the amnesty granted by my Government the defeated parties to the late conflict are returning to their homes in the full enjoyment of their rights and guaranties;
3.
As to foreign affairs—that is, the difficulties which may arise in Central America—my Government has adopted a policy of strict neutrality toward the probable contestants; and
4.
The aims pursued by my Government in soliciting the recognition of the American Government are, substantially, to gain the ear of the Department of State regarding Central American political matters, with the hope of being aided in its efforts toward the conservation of peace or the maintenance of its own neutrality; to reform the consular service by intrusting with its duties at the principal ports Honduraneans able to learn the economical requirements of [Page 602] the country and to cooperate with the Government in meeting them, and to impress upon the American capitalists who have existing or prospective contracts with the Government of Honduras the proper sense of security as to the money they invest for the development and improvement of the country.

I might debate upon these points, herein cursorily indicated, if the department should deem it necessary and if your excellency would so advise me in New York, where I am to stop permanently from to-morrow at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel.

Availing myself of the opportunity to tender to your excellency my congratulations on the glorious day the American people are celebrating, I have, etc.,

Angel Ugarte.