Papers Relating to the Foreign Relations of the United States, With the Address of the President to Congress December 7, 1915

File No. 422.11G93/828.

Minister Hartman to the Secretary of State.

[Telegram.]

American Legation,
Quito, December 10, 1915—4 p.m.

Department’s November 19, 6 p.m. Substance of telegram delivered to President Plaza in confidential memorandum November 22. President Plaza answered December 2, closing his 7-page memorandum with the following words:

My Government cannot, therefore, accept the propositions of the Government of the United States; the first, because it implies for my country an obligation that the present financial situation does not warrant; and the second, because the Executive is not authorized to accept it.

Full report by mail.

Hartman.