Papers Relating to the Foreign Relations of the United States, With the Address of the President to Congress December 8, 1914

File No. 816.032/11.

[Untitled]

February 20, 1914

[The message was read to the National Assembly by President Carlos Meléndez February 20, 1914, and was transmitted to the Department February 25, 1914, by the American Minister, Mr. Wm. Heimke. The following is the only passage referring to the United States:]

[Translation.]

You are well aware, Messrs. Deputies, of the great change of spirit that is to be noted throughout the Isthmus regarding the difficult Nicaraguan problem.

Here in Salvador, where law and liberty rule, strongly maintained by the Government which I have the honor to guide, all sorts of manifestations have been held which clearly demonstrate the state of inquietude of the people, inspired by fear of the consummation of acts which may impair the sovereignty and independence that were bequeathed to us by our forefathers.

There is about to be submitted to the American Senate the ratification of a convention in which the Government of Nicaragua acquires the protection of that Government, to which in recompense it cedes certain rights and privileges in the Gulf of Fonseca.

The Government of Salvador, through its Legation in Washington, submitted a note protesting to the Department of State, which note was published in the Official Gazette on October 23.¹

This resolution, taken by the Government in accordance with public opinion, is in obedience to the sacred duty of maintaining unharmed the sovereign rights of the Salvador an nation in the Gulf of Fonseca, and because of the evident danger which such an act threatens us, since it is not permitted to any State to carry out measures prejudicial to a third State, even though such measures might be characterized as internal.

The reply² of the American Government is still being awaited to the civil and courteous terms of our note of protest above mentioned, and we are confident that that illustrious Government, convinced of the justice which is on our side, and inspired by noble purposes, will resolve its action with a view to safeguard our rights in the Gulf.

1. For. Rel. 1913, p. 1027.
2. Page 954 of this volume.