Papers Relating to the Foreign Relations of the United States, With the Annual Message of the President Transmitted to Congress December 3, 1907, (In two parts), Part II

File No. 3691/75–76.

Message addressed by President Diaz to the Presidents of Honduras and Nicaragua.^a

[undated]

[Translation.]

Fearing an armed conflict between these Republics, which might extend to other Central American States, and in conformity with the initiative of President Roosevelt, I have addressed the Presidents of Guatemala, El Salvador, and Costa Rica to ask them that they may unite with us in the request that we are making to Your Excellency that all warlike preparations may cease and that you may agree to abide by the decision of arbitration all the differences that this nation may have with (the other). The Presidents of the said Central American States will make you the same request, and will furthermore say that in our judgment the arbitration court which held its session at San Salvador should be again constituted, its powers extended, if it were necessary, to the new differences that may occur, or that a new tribunal shall be established to determine all those points of difference, thus preventing the deplorable consequences of a war which, in the present circumstances, would greatly injure not only the belligerents, but also other Central American States, and in general the reputation or credit of all nations of the Spanish race or civilization.

1. Handed to the Secretary of State by the Mexican ambassador, February 19, 1907.