715.1715/1146: Telegram
The Special Representative of the President (Corrigan) to the Secretary of State
[Received March 13—10:35 a.m.]
57. Referring to the Department’s No. 19 of March 12, the Commission will meet on Monday, March 14, to receive the reply of both delegations pending which no definite plan of action has been adopted. When the nature of the replies is known a careful study and comparison of the two theses will be made before any suggestions can be offered, and I will undoubtedly need technical advice and the Department’s instructions before making any commitments, especially since Dr. Rodriguez45 has just disclosed to me that his intensive studies have convinced him of the nullity of the King of Spain’s award and that he is ready to stake his reputation as an international lawyer on his finding.
While I personally have confidence in his ability and recognize the strength of his reasons, I pointed out to him that his view if known would produce a violent reaction in Honduras towards the mediation. His position so far is known only to me but he intends to impart it to our Costa Rican colleague on Monday.
As a further delay in the proceedings may be expected to give the Commission time to study the reports and to formulate suggestions I am of the opinion that the plenary sessions should be suspended, giving the delegations opportunity to return home during the interval.
This would also afford me an opportunity to confer personally concerning the question at this time provided no objections to this plan were perceived.
- José Santiago Rodriguez, Venezuelan representative on the Mediation Commission.↩