The Secretary of State to Minister Merry.
Washington, November 21, 1909.
Mr. Knox quotes, for the information of Mr. Merry, the following, which is a note of the verbal reply made November 19 by the Department of State to repeated representations made on behalf of the Governments of Costa Rica, Salvador, and Guatemala:
The aim of the majority of the signatory Governments to reestablish the Washington conventions is laudable.
[Page 455]The principal direct interest in the conventions and the principal direct responsibility to prevent their perversion and their becoming discredited naturally rests with the majority of the signatories.
The Government of the United States does not feel called upon at this time to express precise views as to the measures which the majority of the Governments might wisely take in case the conventions were in their opinion in jeopardy.
It is clearly understood that if the majority of the Governments directly interested should feel compelled to take any joint measures in vindication of the conventions, such measures would only be taken by them in conjunction with a definite accord for the support of the status quo ante immediately upon the accomplishment of the sole aim in view—namely, joint support of the conventions in a manner conducive to the peace of Central America, for which they were framed.
Mr. Merry is further informed that regarding the announced blockade of Greytown the Government of the United States has assumed the attitude indicated in a telegram sent to the Bluefields Steamship Co., reading as follows:
If the announced blockade or investment of the Nicaraguan port of San Juan del Norte (Greytown) is effectively maintained, and the requirements of international law, including warning to approaching vessels, are observed this Government would not be disposed to interfere to prevent its enforcement. A naval vessel will be ordered to Greytown to observe and report whether the blockade is effective.
Knox.
Other legations in Central America have been informed.