422.11 G 93/1189

The Minister in Ecuador (Hartman) to the Secretary of State

No. 701

Sir: Referring to Department’s telegram No. 6, of June 28—5 p.m., my telegram No. 21, of July 3, 10 a.m., and Department’s telegram No. 7, of July 9, 4 p.m., I have now the honor to enclose herewith, for the information of the Department, a copy with translation,20 of the minutes of the meetings of the representatives of the Government of Ecuador and those of the Railway Company in carrying on the negotiations mentioned in my said telegram No. 21.

While all the subjects discussed at these conferences were not finally disposed of, it will be observed that certain increases were agreed upon in the tariff rates of the Company, in consideration of which the Company undertakes to contribute 500,000 sucres per year toward the payment of interest and sinking fund of the First Mortgage Bonds and Prior Lien Bonds.

I have been informed by Mr. J. C. Dobbie, General Manager of the Railway that he expects to arrive in Quito about August 5th, and take up some of the matters with the Government which were left unsettled at the former conferences. When he arrives and the projected conference is completed, and the results are reported to me, I will then take such action as appears proper regarding Department’s telegram No. 6, of June 28, 5 p.m., in exercise of the discretion given me in Department’s telegram No. 7, of July 9, 4 p.m.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . .

[Page 889]

In this connection, I feel that I ought to say to the Department that, in my judgment, the present attitude of the management of the Railway in Ecuador, in its proposals to assist Ecuador in the payment of the Railway bond interest is both just and expedient, and will go a long way toward the complete obliteration of the vanishing anti-American sentiment in this country. Public sentiment, with the exception of a writer in El Dia, seems to be almost unanimous in approving the agreements thus far reached as above reported.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . .

I have [etc.]

Chas. S. Hartman
  1. Not printed.