Office of the Historian

714.1515/252

The Executive of the Guatemala-Honduras Economic Survey (Ashmead) to the Representative of the Department of State (Long)

New York, June 25, 1919.
[Received June 26.]

Sir: By direction of the President of the American Geographical Society, I have the honor to give you the information which follows, concerning the Economic Survey of the territory in dispute between Guatemala and Honduras made by the Expedition sent to that region by this Society at the request of the Department of State:—

(a)
During the period of time between May 3rd and June 4th, 1919, the Scientists from the Bureaus of Forestry, Soils and Plant Industry have made an examination of an area which may be described [Page 107] in general as the territory to the north-east of a line drawn through the towns of Izabal, Los Amates, El Paraiso and La Florida, as far as the sea from Livingston to Omoa.
(b)
During the period of time between May 9th and June 4th, 1919, the Executive of the Expedition and his Civil Engineer Assistant have made a study of the extent and character of the interests of the respective countries which are likely to be affected by the settlement of this boundary, and
(c)
have also made a study of the topographical conditions,—(without instrumental work, but having copies of the official maps of Guatemala and Honduras before them,)—by a reconnaissance in an area which may be in general described as the territory inside lines drawn from Cerro Brujo to Izabal, thence by Lago [de] Izabal, Golfete and Rio Dulce to Livingston, thence to Puerto Barrios, thence to Cinchado and the Quebrada Jimerito, and thence by La Florida, Dulce Nombre, San Augustin, etc., to Cerro Brujo.
(d)
It is hoped that the maps, photographs and the main report of the results of the Expedition will be completed between the end of July and the middle of August, provided the individual reports from the Heads of the Scientific Sections are received promptly.

Respectfully,

P. H. Ashmead