File No. 817.00/1930.

The Acting Secretary of State to the American Minister to Salvador.

[Telegram.—Paraphrase.]

The following telegram from the President of Salvador has been received by the President:

I fear serious complications if American troops enter into Nicaraguan territory. The situation grows steadily worse. In León people uprose at arrival of marines. The interference of Salvador Minister alone prevented serious consequences. I respectfully beg of you to suggest to President Díaz to enter into some arrangement of peace, accepting third person. I do this moved by my ardent desire for peace in Central America and my sincere friendship for Government and people of the United States.

Respectfully,

President Araujo.

You will, by the President’s direction, seek an audience with President Araujo and hand him textually the following message in reply:

His Excellency the President of Salvador:

I appreciate your assurance of your ardent desire for peace in Central America and of your sincere friendship. These high motives will doubtless guarantee a strict adherence to and enforcement of the Washington conventions1 so far as the Government of Salvador is concerned and will undoubtedly insure earnest support by the Government of Salvador of those measures in furtherance of Central American peace which the Government of the United States is taking under the moral mandate of the Washington conventions and is best able to undertake because of its entire aloofness from those political interrelations which might be used to challenge and frustrate the efforts, however sincere, of any one of the Central American republics.

I share your opinion that the situation in Nicaragua has grown very grave. The Government of the United States has no thought of leaving its Legation and the lives and safety of its citizens and their property and its important interests in Nicaragua at the mercy of a rebellion based upon no principle and carried on with motives and methods vividly recalling the times of Zelaya and doing the most flagrant violence to all the principles of honor, of humanity, of order and of civilization.

As to Your Excellency’s suggestion, I can not now feel justified in suggesting to the legitimate Government of Nicaragua any arrangement with persons whose pledged word has proved valueless or any compromise of governmental authority legally bestowed and properly exercised.

In view of all these circumstances and to make promptly effective the discharge of its duties, the Government of the United States intends, in accordance with the request of the Government of Nicaragua, to take adequate measures for the protection of its interests and in furtherance of peace and orderly government, to the support of which under the Washington conventions each Central American republic is solemnly pledged.

I regret the rumors, which seem quite incredible, to the effect that the present rebellion in Nicaragua is being assisted from the territory of Salvador. It is not necessary to point out to Your Excellency that the vindication of the policy of Salvador finds its full opportunity in the Washington conventions.

William H. Taft.

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In jour conversation you should leave no doubt in the mind of the President and Government of Salvador that their motives and activities are under considerable suspicion and are being closely watched; that the Government of the United States is absolutely determined to do its full duty in Nicaragua; and that the quality of the friendship of the Government of Salvador will be measured by its attitude in the premises.

Huntington Wilson.