Aide-mémoire to the Ecuadorian Legation.1
Washington, June 1, 1910.
In a note addressed May 24 to the representatives of the mediating powers the Government of Ecuador accepted as of tha-t date the offer of mediation. The mediation was offered upon definite conditions and its acceptance obviously is the acceptance of those conditions with the imposition of no others. The first and paramount [Page 464] condition was that the two Governments should “withdraw their forces from the frontier, suspend mobilization and other measures of preparation for war, and await eventualities.”
The note of the Ecuadorian Government set out the point of view of Ecuador upon matters the discussion of which at this time is entirely premature and inappropriate. Mediation as to the boundary dispute can only occur—first, if the fact be established that there is to be no award; or, second, if after an award difficulties should arise. Evidently all of these questions as to the boundary are precisely the eventualities which Peru and Ecuador by their acceptance solemnly undertook to await.
After a delay already surprising it is of paramount importance that this primary obligation of the acceptance made be carried out on June 4. The Government of the United States can see no ground upon which either Peru or Ecuador could justify a failure to do so or could reconcile it with the recognized dignity and good faith of their intentions.
- Same to Peruvian Legation.↩