Memorandum From the President of Nicaragua (Somoza) to President Roosevelt 16
- 1.
- Nicaragua and my Government favor the construction of the inter-oceanic canal.
- 2.
- When Nicaragua negotiated the Bryan-Chamorro Treaty, she acted fundamentally on the assumption that the inter-oceanic canal [Page 732] would be constructed by the United States in the more or less near future.
- 3.
- For Nicaragua, the indefinite postponement of this project means the stagnation or the frustration of her most valuable natural resource, destined to exercise a preponderant influence over her progress and development.
- 4.
- Nicaragua does not ask a revision of the Bryan-Chamorro Treaty; but, on the contrary, continues to offer her cooperation in the defense of the United States, which is likewise her own.
- 5.
- Nevertheless, if the United States indefinitely defers the construction of the inter-oceanic canal, Nicaragua considers it fair that the United States should assist in the canalization of the San Juan River, in order to eliminate to some extent the injuries Nicaragua would suffer from this indefinite postponement.
- 6.
- This work—the canalization of the San Juan—not only would benefit the commerce of Nicaragua and other near-by regions, with the United States, but would contribute also to the objectives related to military defense.
- 7.
- Nicaragua suggests that this assistance be given through an additional treaty with the United States, in which it would be stipulated that the cost of the canalization be applied, without interest, to the indemnities of a pecuniary nature that the United States would pay Nicaragua, in accordance with the Bryan-Chamorro Treaty, when she decides to carry out the construction of the inter-oceanic canal.
- 8.
- At the same time, Nicaragua is desirous of including in these stipulations whatever provisions both countries may deem advisable in order to derive advantages, also, from the canalization, for the objectives of military defense.
- 9.
- A negotiation of this character would have the double advantage of correcting the legal defects which have been adduced against the validity of the Bryan-Chamorro Treaty; and of ending the criticism which has been leveled against the treaty by many sectors of public opinion in this hemisphere; it would, furthermore, reinforce the confidence which the Good Neighbor policy has inspired.
- 10.
- Nicaragua believes that an additional treaty on the bases herein indicated, would not meet with opposition in the Senate of the United States, if President Roosevelt should lend it the support of his personal influence, and if the circumstances and objectives underlying the negotiations should be revealed.
- 11.
- These points are substantially the same as those set forth in detail in the Memorandum of November 8, 1938,17 presented by my Government to the Department of State.
A. Somoza
Washington
, May 22,
1939.