File No. 810.00/a / 16
The Minister in Salvador ( Long ) to the Secretary of State
[Received October 20.]
Sir: … the Department requested an explanation of what the Salvadoran Government meant by “friendly neutrality” and whether it could be intended to mean that our naval vessels might use Salvadoran waters for naval purposes as well as for armed merchantmen.1 The reply, couched in friendly terms, was to the effect that the United States could in the present contention make use of Salvadoran waters within the status jure existente for naval purposes and for armed merchantmen.
In a conversation held with the President shortly after the receipt of this note he said that he understood that the United States naval and merchant vessels could come, remain, and leave at will without let or hindrance, and he hoped that his Government’s explanation of its understanding of the significance of “friendly neutrality” would be satisfactory to my Government. …
I have [etc.]