File No. 718.1915/226a.

The Secretary of State to Chargé Cresson.

[Telegram.]

We are informed there is some danger of collision between Panama and Costa Rica over the disputed boundary which has recently been in arbitration. You will use your good offices to urge that no action be taken which could provoke hostilities until an amicable adjustment of the differences can be reached. We are sending a similar telegram to Costa Rica, being desirous of doing what we can to secure an amicable settlement of this dispute which has for so long threatened the friendly relations of these sister Republics.9

It is reported here that a rumor has reached Costa Rica to the effect that Panama has sent civil authorities into the disputed territory. We hope that this is not true and that if the report is true they will be withdrawn so that no cause may be given for counter action on the part of Costa Rica. It would seem impossible that the possession of so small an area of land should become a cause of friction between the countries.

W. J. Bryan
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  1. This paragraph telegraphed, mutatis mutandis, to the American Legation at San José