File No. 722.2315/593.
The Chargé d’Affaires of Ecuador to the Secretary of State.
Washington , June 5, 1913.
memorandum.
Mr. Secretary: Ecuador has just been invaded by regular Peruvian troops in the section of the Morona River, the dominion of which Peru has never disputed from Ecuador,1 as it is clearly demonstrated by the processes upon the boundary dispute between the two countries.
Ecuador has protested at this irritating military occupation and is ready to revindicate its territorial rights by force, if necessary.
Peru has accepted without reserve and has adhered to the Program of Peace suggested by your excellency to avoid future wars; and I believe this is a good opportunity to show to the world the practical results of that program.2
Ecuador, realizing the importance of the Peace Program which your excellency proposed to the nations of the world, has only protested at the unjustified act of invasion effected by Peru, and the Ecuadorian Government cherishes the hope that your excellency may intervene in this regrettable incident which has occurred in the very moment that Peru has made a solemn declaration to adhere to the Program of Peace of your excellency, so enthusiastically received by the whole world.
On the basis of the immediate withdrawal of the troops of Peru from the Morona River, Ecuador would be ready to accept the good offices of the United States of America to settle the incident. This does not mean that Ecuador recognizes or will recognize any right whatsoever of Peru to consider the incident of the military occupation of the Morona River as a principal issue in the boundary controversy that must be carried out and settled directly between the two countries.
Ecuador wants peace, and does not consider that the acts of hostility of Peru against Ecuador are consistent with Peru’s declaration of endorsement of your excellency’s Peace Program. These [Page 1151] acts of hostility on the part of Peru will be productive of bad results as they will place the two countries on the verge of war; and if your excellency wishes to give his attention to this important subject it would afford your excellency an opportunity to render an invaluable service to the noble cause of peace in our continent; and, impressed by this belief, my Government wishes to know the views of your excellency upon this matter.
I avail [etc.]