File No. 763.72111/713
The Secretary of State to the Ecuadorian Minister ( Córdova )
Washington , December 8, 1914.
My dear Mr. Minister: Answering your inquiry I beg to say that it is not customary to give copies of communications. I simply state the representations that have been made by France and Great Britain to Colombia and Ecuador in regard to the alleged violations of neutrality.
They allege that the wireless system of telegraphy has been used in both countries for giving information to German ships and that the Galápagos Islands have been used by the German cruisers as a base for supplies and observation.
The communications then recite the importance of the subject and the serious character of the alleged infraction of the rules of neutrality, and conclude by asking this Government to exercise its influence with the two countries to the end that they may observe the rules of neutrality.
Both communications refer, of course, to the exercise of a moral influence such as any nation may exercise in its dealings with other friendly nations.
The communications were entirely friendly in character and indicated a friendly interest which these Governments felt in Colombia and Ecuador and their earnest desire that nothing might arise that could cause friction between them and the European nations.
Accept [etc.]