File No. 3691/588.
Chargé Brown to the
Secretary of State.
[Extracts.]
American Legation,
Guatemala, April 30,
1907.
Sir: I have the honor to transmit herewith a
copy with translation appended of the treaty of peace signed at Amapala
on the 23d instant between Nicaragua and Salvador. The original has been
placed on the files of this legation.
Without attempting to present a detailed report of all that took place
during this conference, I desire to inform the department of certain
facts in this connection which may be of interest and importance.
The conference was opened in Amapala on the morning of the 18th instant,
and was between Señor Gamez, minister of foreign affairs for Nicaragua,
and Señor Dr. Garcia Gonzales, minister of foreign affairs for Salvador.
The conference was held on shore instead of on the U. S. S. Chicago, because Minister Gamez stated he had
received definite instructions in this sense.
Both ministers earnestly requested I be present during their discussions,
but I refrained from taking any part whatever, except when directly
solicited to do so, when any particular point at issue was submitted to
me. I was gratified to realize from the first that both ministers
apparently had complete confidence in my impartiality, and before the
conference was ended I received proofs of their sincerity in this
respect.
During this conference I was pleased to observe very marked evidences of
complete confidence on the part of both ministers in the impartiality
and disinterestedness of the United States Government in its friendly
mediation through myself in behalf of peace in Central America, and it
was insisted upon by them that the treaty to have
[Page 633]
value should be signed also by me as
representing the “moral force” of my Government. One of the happiest
results of this conference I believe to be a much fairer appreciation on
the part of all these countries of the friendly, considerate, and just
attitude of President Roosevelt and of the United States toward our
sister Republics in Central America.
It may be of interest to the department to know that President Estrada
requested me to call the day after my return from Honduras, and
expressed the greatest satisfaction with the happy termination of a very
difficult situation which had caused Guatemala considerable anxiety.
The treaty signed at Amapala may not effect all that is anticipated, but
it at least put an end to a very threatening situation for the time
being. I am confident it affords the basis for a prolonged peace in
Central America.
I have, etc.,
[Inclosure.—Translation.]
Treaty of peace between Nicaragua and Salvador,
signed in Amapala, April 23, 1907.
The undersigned, Jose Dolores Gamez, minister for foreign affairs of
the Republic of Nicaragua, and Ramon Garcia Gonzalez, minister for
foreign affairs of the Republic of El Salvador, each in the
representation of his respective Government, and fully authorized
according to the full powers exhibited and which were found to be in
good and due form, after extensive discussion and with the friendly
mediation of Mr. Philip Brown, chargé d’affaires of the United
States near the Government of the Republic of Plonduras, have agreed
to celebrate the treaty of peace, friendship, and commerce contained
in the following clauses:
I.
The good harmony and friendly relations existing between the
signatory Governments having been altered in consequence of the late
war between Nicaragua and Honduras, in which the Government of El
Salvador found itself obliged to intervene on account of its
alliance with the Government of Honduras that was presided over by
General Manuel Bonilla, and taking in consideration powerful reasons
of the necessity and convenience to restore peace between both
countries and after protracted discussions they have mutually agreed
to reestablish the friendly relations which were temporarily
interrupted on the base of the best good faith that ought to rule in
the friendly understanding of two sister Republics.
II.
Peace being reestablished by the present treaty, the signatory
Governments herewith agree that the Government of Nicaragua is to
issue an invitation to the other Governments of Central America to
attend a Central-American Congress that will be held at Corinto,
pursuant to the propositions made by the representatives of the
Governments of these Republics conjointly with the American
Secretary of State in Washington, this congress will be composed of
representatives of the five sister Republics, who will have full
powers to conclude a general treaty of peace and friendship having
for a base obligatory arbitration, to replace the former treaties of
the same nature, celebrated at Corinto and at San Jose of Costa
Rica, with the purpose of avoiding in the future armed conflicts
btween sister Republics. The representatives of the five Republics
will moreover be able to conclude arrangements in reference to
commerce, navigation, and any other questions that they may judge
profitable to Central American interests.
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III.
While the disposition of the foregoing clause is being complied with
it remains stipulated herewith that any difference that may arise in
the future between El Salvador and Nicaragua that might alter their
good relations shall be adjusted by means of the obligatory
arbitration of the Presidents of the United States and of Mexico,
conjointly, who shall have the power in case of not arriving at an
agreement, to name a third person, whose decision shall be definite.
The President of Mexico will have the right to delegate his
faculties as arbitrator upon the person of the Mexican ambassador at
Washington or on the person that he may designate.
IV.
As a manifestation of the sincerity with which the signatory
Governments have proceeded and also of the confidence that they have
in the fulfillment of all the clauses of this treaty, they offer
with the best good will to issue in their respective countries a
decree of unconditional and ample amnesty in favour of their
countrymen who may have taken opposite sides in the last events of
Honduras.
V.
El Salvador and Nicaragua solemnly pledge themselves to celebrate a
treaty of commerce on the base of interchange.
VI.
The present treaty shall be ratified and the ratifications shall be
exchanged in the city of Managua or at San Salvador, a month after
the last ratification or before that time if possible.
In witness whereof, the negotiators have signed the present treaty in
triplicate, conjointly with Mr. Philip Brown, chargé d’affaires of
the United States near the Governments of Honduras and Guatemala,
who has interposed his good offices and the moral authority of the
country which he represents. Done at Amapala this twenty-third day
of April in the year one thousand nine hundred and seven.
[
seal.]
- Ramón García
Gonzalez.
- José D. Gámez.
- Philip Brown.
