File No. 24354/5.
The Costa Rican Minister to the Secretary of State.
Washington , May 6, 1910 .
Your Excellency: Official cablegrams received at this legation yesterday evening convey the very sad information that the city of Cartago was ruined by an earthquake Wednesday night, the 4–5 instant; that there were many victims there, but none in any other place; and that the new building for the Central American court of justice was entirely destroyed.
In consideration of the great and friendly interest shown by the illustrious Government of the United States of America in promoting peace and welfare among the Republics of Central America, which brought about the Central American Peace Conference of Washington three years ago, and having in mind that Mr. Andrew Carnegie, although as a private citizen but in consequence of the success of this [Page 411] conference, made the donation of $100,000 to erect said building, I beg leave to request of your excellency that the report of the destruction of the same be transmitted to him.
With many thanks in advance, I have, etc.,