Reply of Mr. Knox.
Mr. Minister, Ladies, and Gentlemen:
I am deeply grateful for the evidences of cordiality which the Government has given me, and I accept these as a mark of brotherly feeling toward the Government and people of the United States.
To my addresses before the Assembly and at the Campo de Marte I have nothing further to add relative to the situation of Nicaragua, but I do wish to avail myself of the opportunity to repeat that the Government of the United States does not propose in any way to interfere in the internal affairs of this country.
This country, though small, has territory and resources sufficient to support 6,000,000 inhabitants, and the Government of the United States will assist Nicaragua in order that it may grow in wealth and population, thus becoming a strong nation.
When I promised to go to Granada I fully intended to make the journey, as it was one of my most cherished wishes that I could have the privilege of visiting that city. The demands upon me while I have been in Nicaragua have been so numerous that I find myself physically unable to undertake a journey that will require me to travel so far to-morrow. I wish, through you, to express to the good citizens of Granada my very deep regret that I am so situated that I can not be the recipient of the cordial welcome that I feel certain I should receive from them.