File No. 817.712/27.

The Secretary of State to the Minister of Nicaragua.

Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your note of June 5, 1913, in which you inform me [etc.]

I have noted with satisfaction that the reply of your Government tends to explain to the Government of Costa Rica the fact that the said convention of February 8, 1913, is not a final canal treaty, properly so called, but an option dealing with the right the United States might exercise in the event of the construction of a canal through the territory of Nicaragua.

Adverting to that portion of your note under acknowledgment which invites my opinion on the protest of the Government of Costa Rica, I desire to confirm our conversation of the 17th instant in which I had the pleasure of informing you that it is the intention of my Government to take up this matter directly with the Government of Costa Rica with the view to a settlement of the questions at issue which may be satisfactory to all the Governments concerned.

Accept [etc.]

W. J. Bryan.