Papers Relating to the Foreign Relations of the United States, With the Annual Message of the President Transmitted to Congress December 6, 1910
File 3010/91.
Minister Fox to the Secretary of State.
Quito, June 27, 1910.
Sir: I have the honor to inclose herewith copies, with translation, of the message of the President of Ecuador submitted to the extraordinary session of Congress, 1910. This document is important, being an analysis of the position of Ecuador in the present conflict with Peru.
I have, etc.,
The message of the President of the Republic to the Extraordinary Congress of 1910.
Honorable Legislators: Permit me to welcome you and to assure you that your presence in this solemn moment will be fecund in benefits for the nation.
We find ourselves passing through a difficult situation, on account of the conflict which has arisen between our Republic and that of Peru.
As is well known, the secular dispute over the boundary line was submitted for decision to the King of Spain. We were expecting a just and proper sentence from the wisdom of such a distinguished judge, but when we mere most confident, a plan of the decision, uselessly disastrous to Ecuador, came to surprise us in a most painful manner. And in order that we should not remain in doubt as to the injustice which threatened us, Señor P. Caballero, then Spanish minister of state, said to our representatives in Madrid that the natural boundaries for the Ecuadorian nation were in the eastern range of the Andes, and that we should content ourselves with being the South American Switzerland. Minister Rendon could not support such offensive remarks with patience; he observed to Señor Caballero that nature had not placed the dividing line between the two nations on the slopes of Cotopaxi, but on the banks of the Amazon.
Honorable legislators, the fault was not with the Spanish council of state, whose members raised their voices against the injustice of that which was going to make us its victims; but the word of those wise and just jurists would have been drowned, without doubt, by the dexterity of the Republic of Peru, if the royal arbitrator, proceeding with the highest views and impartiality, attributes of such an upright monarch, and listening to the just claims of our Ministers Vazquez and Rendon, had not have suspended pronouncing the decision, thus leaving the parties at liberty to arrive at a direct settlement.
The notice of the very grave peril in which the national integrity was found brought up the views of Ecuador; and, urged by a most sincere desire to avoid the disturbance of peace on our continent, and in accord with the opinion of a committee of distinguished citizens, proposals were made to the Peruvian Government that we settle our differences by means of direct arrangements, consulting the sentiment of Americanism and fraternity which should reign between two neighboring States united by so many indestructible bonds.
The representatives of Ecuador and Peru in Washington jointly asked the Government of the United States of America that it should find a prudent and adequate means of finding an end of all possibility of a rupture between the two nations. The illustrious Government of the great Republic also suggested a direct arrangement [Page 431] by means of commissioners, who would bold conferences in the city of Washington or in some other American capital. Ecuador hastened to nominate its representatives, but Peru not only did not do that, but affirmed that she had not solicited the mediation of North America. Later she stated that she would accept no other solution than the arbitral decision of Spain; in this way making every decorous and fair solution to the question difficult.
You will take note that the Government of Peru, in the refusal of our fraternal invitation to settle the boundary dispute justly, has forgotten the obligations imposed by the treaty of arbitration, which provides for the direct settlement in preference to the arbitral judgment. The Peruvian foreign office, in sustaining that the best means of finding a solution for our controversy is arbitration, has contradicted the wise foresight of the most famous statesmen of Peru, who saw in the treaty of 1887 an unavoidable cause of war between the two nations rather than a means of putting an end to the disagreement. It is, indeed, enough to read the confidential memorandum which the minister for foreign affairs, Dr. Alberto Elmore, presented to the Congress of 1891 to know that the most eminent statesmen of that country saw in the treaty of arbitration only the seeds of grave disagreements for the future—a species of mine which must produce an explosion and cause the ruin of the two countries.
Dr. Elmore said that the boundary question was one of life or death for Ecuador, since a radical solution against her would reduce her to the condition of Uruguay—insignificant for the present and exposed to the danger of being absorbed later on by her powerful neighbors; and that leaving Quito a few leagues from the Peruvian possessions, even though this solution was the result of an arbitral decision—it was evident that the country would rise up against the decision and there would be no Ecuadorian Government which could or would comply with it. The only possible solution of the boundary question between Ecuador and Peru which is radical and permanent, also said Dr. Arturo Garcia in his memorandum of August 9, 1890, was, has been, and will be the direct settlement. Thus all those who have had knowledge of the affair have believed, and thus will anyone who meditates upon the nature of the question also believe. Besides a friendly settlement, there are but two ways of settling the dispute—war and arbitration. But arbitration is also war, although this appears to be a paradox. Arbitration in the absolute form, unlimited in that which is agreed upon, and being a strict right, only permits radical solutions in the great dispute which is in question.
If the arbitrator has only to abide by the proved right of the parties, the decision could take away from us two populated provinces with some thousands of Peruvians and a vast territory south of the Maranon; or it could take our frontier not only into the center of Ecuador, but also into the north, establishing our boundary at a distance of two days from the capital. Would there be enough moral strength in the losing party, in one case or the other, to comply with a decision which would wound the most sacred interests and sentiments of the nation? Would the inhabitants of Tumbes and Jaen tranquilly submit to becoming Ecuadorians after having formed part of Peru for 70 years? Would Ecuador resign itself to be hemmed in between the mountains and the sea, renouncing all her hopes for the future?
Even Señor Bonifaz, Dr. Alzamora, and Dr. Pardo, ex-President of Peru and enthusiastic defender of the extreme aspirations of his country, have expressed themselves in more or less the same manner, so that, in the opinion of the above-mentioned Peruvian statesmen, to submit a question of our boundaries to an arbitrator would be to commit a grave error, for the reason that the arbitral decision would have to decide the very life of the contending States and that neither of them could submit to an unfavorable decision.
This wise foresight has come to its culmination, honorable legislators; for simply the notice that the project of the decision was against Ecuador has exasperated the minds of the people to such an extent that only the calmness and prudence of the Government, up to the present time, has been able to avoid greater explosions of wounded patriotism. Nevertheless, as you all know, lamentable incidents have arisen, which the public authorities have energetically condemned, and have even ordered that those suffering in such manifestations be indemnified.
The Government of Ecuador, in view of such disagreeable occurrences, has complied, to the fullest extent, with its duty, and has strictly fulfilled all the requirements of international law.
The royal arbitrator, taking into consideration the difficult situation of the two countries, and in view of the same treaty of arbitration, has resolved to defer the decision, in order that the contending Governments should arrive at a peaceful and friendly settlement. We have accepted such a prudent and just resolution; and I believe that, the question being put in this form, the only means to establish an equitable understanding is the direct arrangement.
[Page 432]The Argentine Republic, the United States of Brazil, and the United States of North America have offered us their valuable mediation, being inspired by those sentiments of Americanism and concord which distinguish these great and illustrious nations. The Ecuadorian Government, which has had such an earnest desire to maintain peace, has accepted this very generous and laudable offer and has pointed out to the mediating powers that the most efficacious way of reestablishing harmony was a direct arrangement, with the assistance of Colombia, which, according to the treaties in force, forms a single part with Ecuador for the defense of the disputed territory. Never will it be possible to sufficiently praise and acknowledge the high-minded propositions of the three mediating States, and we are strong in the confidence that they will be able to conquer all resistance and harmonize the interests of the nations at variance.
The Republic of Chile, in spite of its desires in favor of peace, was not able to take part in this mediation, for the reason that her relations with Peru had been broken off; but she also deserves our everlasting gratitude on account of her interest in avoiding the war, and for her pledging us of frank sympathy which has protected us at each step.
The minister for foreign relations will place before you all diplomatic actions which have been taken to maintain peace ancl defend the sacred and unchangeable rights of the nation.
If the present situation has been difficult it has served to show the world the ardent and fiery patriotism of the Ecuadorians.
All political divisions have been forgotten, and the citizens have sincerely become known to each other in the face of danger to the country.
Ecuador, as you have always contemplated, has been transformed into a single camp; and all of our citizens are rivals in love for the country and in sacrifices for her as in the best times of the heroic Republics of antiquity.
Ecuador has quickly presented herself to the other nations as a race full of vigor and noble sacrifices, in that every sacrifice is small, when it is a question of defending the honor and integrity of the nation. Every citizen is a soldier; and the only aspiration of every soldier is to die in defense of the soil upon which he was born.
The justice of our cause, the careful moderation with which we have conducted ourselves in these difficult moments, and the high-minded and noble attitude of the Ecuadorian people have won for us the general sympathy of the American nations.
The people of Colombia have not forgotten our common origin and that we were rocked in the cradle by the glory of the great Republic of Bolivar; and these, our generous brothers, have hastened to offer us with insistence their aid and their blood to forever maintain on high the rainbow-colored banner.
Our gratitude will be everlasting for this heroic people, descendants of the giants, for this people who have desired to share with, us the failures and the glories of war.
The army, honorable legislators, deserves every praise; instruction, patriotism, proven value, and discipline, all of these talents which are esteemed and which recommend themselves to the advanced class of officers, are found in the Ecuadorian army.
The cause of the country has defenders worthy of it; and in the unfortunate eventuality, should we see ourselves forced to have resource to arms, I am fully convinced that victory would crown our efforts.
The patriotic committees organized in the capital and in all the other cities of the Republic have been of very important service to the cause of the nation. That of Pichincha especially has been indefatigable in aiding the Government in the difficult work of solving the hardest international problems. I finish by recommending such distinguished and praiseworthy citizens to the gratitude of the nation.
It is unnecessary to say that the dangers which threaten the Republic have increased the economic difficulties of the treasury and notwithstanding we are counting upon a large military force sufficient to repel any unjust aggression; and if it comes to the breaking out of hostilities, the forces of the Republic can be quadrupled; such is the ardent enthusiasm of the Ecuadorians.
It is necessary to take notice that, notwithstanding the threatenings of war, the Ecuadorian credit stands firm; and you should study the proposals for the loan which the Government has received even in these moments of anxiety for foreign capital. The expediency of accepting the proposal, which you judge is the most advantageous, is not unknown to you. Since the nation should foresee the possibility of a breaking off of friendly relations and look ahead for the money necessary to meet the situation, I have confidence in your wisdom and patriotism; and I am certain of the adoption of the most efficacious and secure means in this direction.
The minister of the treasury will present you a project of transitory patriotic contributions, with the object of increasing the fiscal revenues while the present situation continues.
[Page 433]I recommend to you that you should study the above-mentioned projects and decide which is the most expedient for the Republic.
The other Ministers of State will submit to you certain other matters of vital importance which it is necessary to decide upon in a practical and efficacious manner and in the shortest possible time.
One single thought animates every Ecuadorian: The people have confidence in the public powers and the public powers rest completely in the people. All united, inspired by the purest patriotism, we will save the Republic or die with her.