718.1915/290: Telegram

The Secretary of State to the Chargé in Costa Rica (Thurston)

13. Department’s February 28, 9 p.m.69 and your February 28, 4 p.m.70

The Government of the United States, out of friendly consideration for the Government of Costa Rica, wishes to emphasize the deep regret with which it views the hostilities which have taken place between the armed forces of Panama and Costa Rica, from which loss of life has resulted, and which have caused public sentiment in both [Page 179] countries to be inflamed to a dangerous degree. It will be apparent to the Government of Costa Rica that this Government, because of its special interests in the Isthmus, cannot but view with the gravest apprehension any developments which disturb the peace and tranquillity of Central America. The Government of the United States feels that an actual declaration of war because of a controversy growing out of the inability of the Republics of Costa Rica and Panama to agree upon a solution of their dispute, would be clearly inadmissible. The dispute is one, as pointed out in the Department’s February 28, 9 p.m., which has already been examined during a period of many years in the most disinterested and judicial manner and it cannot but be evident that the only lasting solution which can be found will be reached not by hostilities of the character which have already taken place, which tend only further to excite the passions of the populace of both Republics, but rather by the friendly offices of an impartial party to the controversy.

The Government of the United States therefore desires to urge upon the Government of Costa Rica, in the most earnest and friendly manner, that it announce that instructions have been given to its troops to advance no further towards the Cerro Pando–Punta Burica line pending a final settlement of the controversy. If the Government of Costa Rica will agree to take this action, the Government of the United States will suggest to the Government of Panama the advisability of withdrawing at once all troops now on the Costa Rican side of the Cerro Pando–Punta Burica line to the Panaman side of that line and to give the strictest instructions to the Panaman troops which may be in that neighborhood to take no action during the withdrawal which would provoke hostilities. It is the belief of this Government that such action will be the only means of insuring an avoidance of a renewal of hostilities in the near future.

Once such steps have been taken by both Governments concerned, the Government of the United States will be glad to recommend to the Government of Costa Rica and to the Government of Panama a means of reaching a final and definite solution of this long-standing boundary dispute. It should be made entirely clear to the Government of Costa Rica that the solution which would under these circumstances be suggested by this Government would be a recommendation as to a method acceptable to both Governments of carrying out the terms of the award of Chief Justice White, giving thorough consideration in this connection to any contentions which may be advanced by either party to the controversy.

You are instructed to communicate the foregoing to President Acosta at the earliest opportunity and report by cable the result of your interview.

Colby
  1. Not printed; see telegram no. 15, Feb. 28, to the Minister in Panama, p. 175.
  2. Not printed.