Minister Fox to the Secretary of State.
Quito, May 25, 1910.
Following is a translation of a note received last night from minister for foreign affairs addressed to, representatives of the Argentine Republic, United States of Brazil, and the United States of America:
I have the honor to acknowledge the honored note in which my Government is informed that the Argentine Republic, United States of Brazil, and the United States of America, moved by the sincere desire to avoid the disturbance of peace between Ecuador and Peru, have resolved to present for the consideration of the two Governments concerned the conciliatory suggestions contained in the above-mentioned note. I will begin by praising and acknowledging the high-minded propositions of the powers which, giving eloquent examples and practices of their Americanism, desire that the Ecuadorian-Puruvian conflict have a decorous and fraternal solution, as it should have in order that the harmony of the South American Continent be not disturbed and which is rapidly advancing in the path of progress for the benefit [Page 459] of peace. Ecuador abounds in sentiments of concord, and in the unfortunate incident of the present moment with the Peruvian Republic has employed all possible conciliatory measures to reestablish the harmony between the two nations. Ecuador does not desire war nor does she excite it, but if she is forced to such a painful extremity it is necessary for her to accept it in fulfillment of her duty. And for the same reason the gratitude of my Government is profound towards Their Excellencies the Presidents of the Argentine Republic, United States of Brazil, and the United States of America for their effective good offices in favor of. South American peace. But I should call your attention to the incontestable fact that Ecuador does not attack in any manner the sacred principle of arbitration, an institution belonging to an advanced civilization. The Government of Ecuador, in the face of the discontent and criticism of the people, justified by the projected arbitration decision now known to all, has desired rather to remove all danger of a war which would depreciate this saving principle, and has invited the Government of Peru to a direct settlement, in compliance with article 6 of the very treaty of arbitration of 1887. Peru can not deny the above-mentioned arrangement, for the violation of the before-mentioned articles 6 by the same deed, would take away all objects to be derived from the treaty of arbitration. At the same time it would show beyond all doubt that that nation is not animated by the same fraternal intentions as Ecuador. The attitude of the Government of Ecuador is consequently founded in strict justice and a perfect right and has been inspired by the most sincere desires to maintain peace and also the prestige of the institution of arbitration. The Spanish Government without doubt taking into consideration all these reasons has counseled the royal arbitrator to defer pronouncing the decision and leave the parties at liberty to arrange their differences in a direct manner. Notified of this resolution the Ecuadorian minister has accepted it in such a manner that, in the actual state of the question, no other means of finding a solution of the conflict remains other than the direct settlement. Ecuador esteems and thanks the illustrious Governments of the Argentine Republic, United States of Brazil, and the United States of America for their very valuable mediation in this direction, and has the pleasure to manifest that she accepts it from this moment, offering to send her commissioners with full powers for the conferences relative to a direct settlement to that American capital which the mediating powers shall designate, though I should call to mind that in the preliminaries initiated by the suggestion of the United States for a direct negotiation Ecuador designated the city of Washington. I will also advise that the Republic of Colombia should take part in the direct settlement, whatever it may be, for the reason that article 26 of the treaty of July 9, 1856, renewed on August 10, 1905, imposes on the two nations the obligation to work together in defense of the territory of “Old Colombia,” which to-day belongs to them. And this participation is specially necessary for the reason that it will terminate all the differences regarding the boundaries in the Amazon Valley, making thus a definite peace between the nations who have their boundaries there, under the moral influence of the mediating powers. As for the incident relative to the hostile manifestations against the legations and consulates of Ecuador and Peru, my Government accepts with pleasure the generous and fraternal mediation offered, and believes that the solution of the conflict will not offer great difficulties.
Accept, etc.,
Peralta.