Treaty Series No. 598.]
By the President of the United States of America.
A PROCLAMATION.
Whereas, a Treaty between the United States of America and the Republic of Guatemala looking to the advancement of the cause of general peace was concluded and signed by their respective Plenipotentiaries at Washington, on the twentieth day of September, one thousand nine hundred and thirteen, the original of which Treaty, being in the English and Spanish languages is, as amended by the Senate of the United States, word for word as follows:
The United States of America and the Republic of Guatemala, being desirous, to strengthen the bonds of amity that bind them together and also to advance the cause of general peace, have resolved to enter into a treaty for that purpose and to that end have appointed as their plenipotentiaries:
- The President of the United States, the Honorable William Jennings Bryan, Secretary of State; and
- The President of Guatemala, Señor Don Joaquin Mendez, Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary of Guatemala to the United States;
Who, after having communicated to each other their respective full powers, found to be in proper form, have agreed upon the following articles:
Article I.
The high contracting parties agree that all disputes between them, of every nature whatsoever, which diplomacy shall fail to adjust, shall be submitted for investigation and report to an International Commission, to be constituted in the manner prescribed in the next succeeding Article; and they agree not to declare war or begin hostilities during such investigation and report.
Article II.
The International Commission shall be composed of five members, to be appointed as follows: One member shall be chosen from each country, by the Government thereof; one member shall be [Page 332] chosen by each Government from some third country; the fifth member shall be chosen by common agreement between the two Governments. The expenses of the Commission shall be paid by the two Governments in equal proportion.
The International Commission shall be appointed within four months after the exchange of the ratifications of this treaty; and vacancies shall be filled according to the manner of the original appointment.
Article III.
In case the high contracting parties shall have failed to adjust a dispute by diplomatic methods, they shall at once refer it to the International Commission for investigation and report. The International Commission may, however, act upon its own initiative, and in such case it shall notify both Governments and request their cooperation in the investigation.
The report of the International Commission shall be completed within one year after the date on which it shall declare its investigation to have begun, unless the high contracting parties shall extend the time by mutual agreement. The report shall be prepared in triplicate; one copy shall be presented to each Government, and the third retained by the Commission for its files.
The high contracting parties reserve the right to act independently on the subject-matter of the dispute after the report of the Commission shall have been submitted.
Article IV.
The present treaty shall be ratified by the President of the United States of America, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate thereof; and by the President of the Republic of Guatemala, with the approval of the Congress thereof; and the ratifications shall be exchanged as soon as possible. It shall take effect immediately after the exchange of ratifications, and shall continue in force for a period of five years; and it shall thereafter remain in force until twelve months after one of the high contracting parties have given notice to the other of an intention to terminate it.
In witness whereof the respective plenipotentiaries have signed the present treaty and have affixed thereunto their seals.
Done in Washington on the 20th day of September, in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred and thirteen.
| [seal.] | William Jennings Bryan |
| [seal.] | Joaquín Méndez |
And whereas, the said Treaty, as amended by the Senate of the United States, has been duly ratified on both parts, and the ratifications of the two Governments were exchanged in the City of Washington, on the thirteenth day of October, one thousand nine hundred and fourteen;
Now, therefore, be it known that I, Woodrow Wilson, President of the United States of America, have caused the said Treaty to be made public, to the end that the same and every article and clause [Page 333] thereof, as amended, may be observed and fulfilled with good faith by the United States and the citizens thereof.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the United States to be affixed.
By the President:
Robert Lansing,
Acting Secretary of State.