714.1515/1068a: Telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to the Minister in Guatemala (Whitehouse)
47. The negotiations between Guatemala and Honduras have been carried on now for somewhat over three months in a spirit of friendliness but with little or no flexibility on the part of either delegation.76 Both delegations apparently have very categoric and rigid instructions. While very considerable advance has been made, namely, tentative agreement on the line from Cerro Brujo to Cerro Mirador, progress beyond that point has been hampered by the unyielding position taken by both delegations under instructions from their Governments.
While the Honduran delegation for some time maintained an intransigent position in demanding the Rio Motagua from Rio Jubuco to the sea it now seems possible that they would consent to a line running from Cerro Mirador to Cerro Jubuco, to Cerro Morjá, to [Page 345] Plaza Playitas, to Plaza de las Quebradas, to Quebrada Grande, and from there the Motagua to the sea.
Should this line be acceptable to the Guatemalan Government it seems likely that the question could be settled very shortly. The Guatemalan delegation has rejected this line but has consented to its being submitted to the Guatemalan Government. You will therefore please take the matter up as soon as possible with the President, setting forth the matter to him fully, as outlined above, and inquire whether this line would be acceptable to the Guatemalan Government.
[Paraphrase.] Should Guatemala definitely reject this line you will then endeavor to have as much latitude as possible given to the Guatemalan delegation to arrive at a solution. You understand that while the Department would be glad should Guatemala accept this line, as it would result in a settlement of the question, yet the Department desires you carefully to avoid giving the impression that this line is one proposed by the Government of the United States. Confidentially it may be said that the Department rather expects this line to be rejected, and then a Guatemalan line of the Cordillera from Cerro Elencia to Cerro San Ildefonso and thence to the Rio Tinto and the Motagua to be rejected by Honduras. With more liberal instructions a definite line could be agreed upon somewhere in between the two. Telegraph Department the result of your conversation and any counterproposals or suggestions made by the President. [End paraphrase.]
- The conference was held in Washington, January 20–July 16, 1930; see Informs del Doctor don Mariano Vasquez Sobre la Conferencia de Limites Celebrada en Washington, D. C., del 20 de enero al 16 de julio de 1930 (Tegucigalpa, Tipografia Nacional, 1930).↩