File No. 714.1515/53
Minister Ewing to the Secretary of State
Tegucigalpa, December 31, 1917, 5 p.m.
Department’s December 29, 6 p.m. Foreign Minister 24th verbally accepted proposition establishment neutral zone as suggested Department’s December 22, 7 p.m., requesting Legation cable Department to this effect. President later refused to sanction, claiming this would be establishment neutral zone entirely within Honduran territory. Honduras in note of 29th obligates itself to maintain no military forces within strip of territory between right margin Motagua River and four kilometers south and east said river provided Guatemala observes similar zone other side of river; this arrangement not to prejudice any rights Honduras may have to [Page 796] north and west of Motagua nor prevent exercise jurisdiction south and east river, this proposition purpose of avoiding conflict. Further, said zone shall be understood neutral to the effect only neither Honduras Guatemala maintain military forces therein for boundary matters pending definite settlement. Legation despatch No. 577 explanatory.