715.1715/1643a: Telegram

The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Nicaragua (Stewart)

224. Personal for the Ambassador. I have learned with great interest of Mr. Bonsal’s recent conversation with President Somoza with regard to the Honduran-Nicaraguan Boundary Dispute. Unless you perceive strong objection please seek an interview with the President prior to Mr. Bonsal’s return and express to him this Government’s earnest hope that some formula can be found, acceptable to both Governments, to provide a basis for a definitive settlement of this problem, as well as my own personal interest in the matter. I believe that the present time is propitious for a reexamination of the situation since public passions are not aroused and both nations are co-belligerent in the present world conflict. I hope that both countries will be disposed to discuss the problem frankly and cooperatively in a search for a solution and feel that, while sacrifices may have to be made by both sides, they will be warranted if they result in the definitive settlement of a boundary dispute of the greatest complexity and in the erection of another monument demonstrating the effectiveness of peaceful methods in international affairs, especially when applied in the spirit of Inter-American solidarity.

For your confidential information, if his health will permit, I intend to invite the Honduran Minister of Foreign Affairs, now in [Page 215] the United States for medical treatment, to Washington and to discuss the boundary question with him along the above lines.

Please furnish copy hereof to Bonsal on his arrival.

Hull