File No. 817.812/85.
The Minister of Costa Rica to the Secretary of State.
Washington, July 7, 1914.
Mr. Secretary: I have the honor to bring to your excellency’s knowledge that, having been informed of what your excellency told me concerning the draft treaty with Nicaragua now awaiting the ratification of the Senate, to the effect that it contains a clause similar to the one known as the “Platt Amendment”, which would implicitly establish a protectorate by the United States of America over that Republic, my Government has instructed me to lay before your excellency, with great respect, a formal protest against that clause.
My Government believes any weakening of the autonomy of the Republic of Nicaragua would seriously affect the autonomy of the Republic of Costa Rica, considering the special nature of the relations between the States of Central America since the beginning of their existence.
Without entering into other considerations, I shall limit myself to stating that the institutions created by the treaties signed in the Central American Peace Conference held in Washington in 1907, beginning, with the Court of Justice maintained by the five Republics, would have to disappear under a protectorate, since those treaties were concluded for the express purpose of strengthening the relations and fomenting the common interests of the said five Republics.
In fulfilling the instructions that I have received, I am actuated by the trust, always held by my Government, in the lofty spirit that guides that of your excellency.
Accept [etc.]