File No. 713.001/57
Minister Jefferson to
the Secretary of State
No. 352
American Legation,
Managua,
March 14, 1917.
Sir: Referring to my cable of March 7, 11
a.m.1 relative to the withdrawal of the Nicaraguan
Government from the Central American Court of Justice, I have the honor
to enclose herewith for the information of the Department a copy and
translation of the note from the Foreign Office of March 10, 1917, in
which is transcribed the telegraphic communication of the Minister for
Foreign Affairs to the Central American Governments declaring the
intention of the Government of Nicaragua to withdraw from the Central
American Court of Justice.
I have [etc.]
[Inclosure—Translation]
The Minister for Foreign
Affairs to Minister Jefferson
National
Palace,
Managua,
March 10, 1917.
Mr. Minister: I have the honor to
transcribe the following telegraphic communication, confirmed today
by letter, which was addressed to the Governments of Central
America, relative to the Central American Court of Justice.
Managua, March
9, 1917.
Mr. Minister: Article XXVII of the
Convention for the establishment of a Central American Court
of Justice, signed in Washington December 20, 1907, provides
that said Convention shall remain in force for the period of
ten years, counting from the last ratification, which was
that of the Government of Guatemala, dated March 11, 1908.
The motives which there is no occasion to explain at this
opportunity, among which I may cite as of principal
consideration, that of the heavy expenses which the
signatory governments are obliged to make for the
maintenance of that Tribunal, without doubt for the most
high purposes, expenses which are now incompatible with the
difficult economic situation, because it continues to
prevail throughout Nicaragua, these motives move my
Government, with much pain, to make to your excellency, as
it now makes, its withdrawal from the said Convention for
the establishment of a Central American Court of Justice, in
compliance with the cited article of the Convention which
establishes the period of its enforcement, or also it may be
at this moment the time to declare the intention of one of
the parties with respect to the caducity of said Convention.
In bringing the former to the knowledge of your excellency,
I make haste to inform your Government that this declaration
in no respect alters the sentiments which inspire my
Government with the most keen and sincere feeling of
fraternity for the Government of your excellency, availing
myself at this time of the opportunity to reiterate to you
the assurances of my most cordial and distinguished
consideration with which I sign myself, your excellency’s
obedient servant,
J. A. Urtecho
Tomorrow being the end of the period allowed by the Treaty, it was
necessary yesterday to make the above inserted withdrawal in the
form just expressed.
With assurances [etc.]
