715.1715/1847: Telegram
The Assistant to the Special Representative of the President (Ocheltree) to the Secretary of State
[Received 4:40 p.m.]
94. Referring to Department’s telegram No. 42, October 19, 1 p.m., please inform Dr. Corrigan that Dr. Zuniga Montufar regards his proposed visit to San José as opportune and very advantageous. He has offered to meet with him either in Port Limon or San José whichever Dr. Corrigan prefers.
Dr. Zuniga Montufar is of the opinion that it would be inopportune to resume the mediation at this time. He pointed out the similarity of the Costa Rica–Panama and the Honduras–Nicaragua boundary disputes, his connection with the failure of the former settlement, his view that arbitral awards are not [inviolate?] and the attacks to which he is being subjected in a semi-official organ of the Honduran press. He hopes that a principle may be established or an expression of opinion obtained at Lima which will improve the position of the mediation and assist in a settlement of the Honduran–Nicaraguan controversy. I asked him to reserve final judgment until Dr. Corrigan’s visit. He agreed remarking that he could thus obtain the views of the Secretary of State.
He said that one of the questions he will raise with Dr. Corrigan is whether Costa Rica should continue in the mediation. If Dr. Corrigan considers that it would be in the best interests of the mediation he would withdraw. He remarked that Nicaragua is opposed to Costa Rican withdrawal and that Honduras undoubtedly desires it but that five countries are concerned and in any event he does not desire to act contrary to the desires or policy of the United States. He believes that an abrupt ending of the mediation at this time might lead to war between Honduras and Nicaragua.
Referring to my despatch No. 102 dated September 2456 he has not yet received a reply from Dr. Rodriguez.
- Not printed.↩