to be signed at the same time that the treaty between Nicaragua and Colombia are [is] signed. These notes provide for the maintenance of the status quo with respect to Serrana and Quita Sueño Banks and Roncador Cay and provides that the Government of Colombia will refrain from objecting to the maintenance by the United States of the services which it has established or may establish for aids to navigation, and the Government of the United States will refrain from objecting to the utilization, by Colombian nationals, of the waters appurtenant to the Islands for the purpose of fishing. As this treaty recognizes Colombian [Nicaraguan]" sovereignty over Great and Little Corn Islands, which were leased to the United States for a term of ninety-nine years by Nicaragua in the Convention signed at Washington on August 5, 1914," the Department feels that it would be a distinct advantage to have this proposed treaty concluded. I am [etc.] For the Secretary of State: 717.2114/62 The Minister in Nicaragua (Eberhardt) to the Secretary of State No. 634 MANAGUA, March 27, 1928. SIR: With reference to my telegram No. 153 of today," I have the honor to transmit herewith a copy and translation of the treaty signed on March 24 between the Governments of Nicaragua and Colombia. This treaty was approved by President Diaz this morning. The Department will note that the treaty was signed not by the Nicaraguan Minister for Foreign Affairs but by the Subsecretary for Foreign Affairs. An effort had been made to negotiate the treaty before the return from Havana of Doctor Cuadra Pasos, in order that he might avoid responsibility for relinquishing Nicaragua's claims to the San Andres Archipelago, should his political enemies be disposed to make use of the treaty for partisan purposes. As it was found impossible to complete negotiations before Doctor Cuadra Pasos' return, it was apparently believed that he would avoid attack if he did not sign the treaty personally, although he is of course entirely responsible for the arrangement effected. The Nicaraguan Government has desired that the signature of this treaty be kept absolutely secret, because it has feared that the Lib 77 Corrected on the basis of instruction No. 337, Mar. 27, 1928; not printed (file No. 717.2114/64 supp.) 1 Foreign Relations, 1916, p. 849. TO Not printed. erals would use the treaty as a political weapon if its contents should be divulged before the presidential elections. I have [etc.] [Enclosure-Translation] CHARLES C. EBERHARDT Treaty Between Colombia and Nicaragua, Signed March 24, 1928 80 The Republic of Colombia and the Republic of Nicaragua, desiring to bring to an end the territorial dispute pending between them and to strengthen the bonds of traditional friendship which unites them, have decided to celebrate the present treaty for this purpose, and have named their respective plenipotentiaries, i. e.: By His Excellency the President of the Republic of Colombia, Doctor Manuel Esguerra, Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary in Nicaragua, and By His Excellency the President of the Republic of Nicaragua, Doctor José Barcenas Meneses, Subsecretary for Foreign Relations, who, after exchanging their full powers which they found in due form, have agreed to the following provisions: ARTICLE I The Republic of Colombia recognizes the sovereignty and full dominion of the Republic of Nicaragua over the Mosquito Coast, extending from Cape Gracias a Dios to the River San Juan, and over the islands of Mangle Grande and Mangle Chico (Great Corn Island and Little Corn Island) in the Atlantic Ocean; and the Republic of Nicaragua recognizes the sovereignty and full dominion of the Republic of Colombia over the Islands San Andres, Providencia, Santa Catalina and all the other islands, islets and keys which form part of said San Andres Archipelago. The Keys Roncador, Quitasueño and Serrana, the dominion over which is in dispute between Colombia and the United States of America, are not considered to be included in this treaty. ARTICLE II The present treaty, in order to become valid, shall be submitted to the congresses of both states, and after approval by these the exchange of ratifications shall take place in Managua or Bogotá within the shortest possible time. In witness whereof, we, the respective plenipotentiaries, have signed and affixed our seals. Done in duplicate in Managua the 24th of March, 1928. [SEAL] [SEAL] MANUEL ESGUERRA J. BARCENAS MENESES 80 Ratifications exchanged at Managua, May 5, 1930. 717.2114/70: Telegram The Minister in Nicaragua (Eberhardt) to the Secretary of State MANAGUA, September 14, 1928-9 a. m. 342. Legation's despatch 634, March 27th. The Liberals have learned of the signature of the treaty with Colombia and are beginning to attack the administration for its action. The President, therefore, desires to have a public statement about the treaty made now. He would be very glad if the Department would inform the press in Washington that this boundary dispute has been settled through the good offices of the United States and as a result of suggestions made by the Department to the Nicaraguan Government. It would seem only fair to comply with his request as such action will save him, to some extent, from the bitter political attacks to which he will be subjected to [sic] for acceding to the Department's suggestion that Colombia's proposal be accepted. Furthermore, it is probable that the treaty will never be ratified by Nicaragua if it is permitted to become a party issue now. The Legation has discussed this matter informally with Moncada who has promised to use his influence to moderate the criticism of the Liberal press. EBERHARDT 717.2114/70: Telegram The Secretary of State to the Minister in Nicaragua (Eberhardt) WASHINGTON, September 15, 1928—1 p. m. 180. Your 342, September 14, 9 a. m. Has text of treaty been published in Managua? If so the issuance of a statement by the Department would be greatly facilitated. It will be difficult for the Department to make a statement on this subject to the press without giving the general terms of the treaty. KELLOGG 717.2114/70: Telegram The Secretary of State to the Minister in Colombia (Piles) WASHINGTON, September 15, 1928—1 p. m. 55. Has text of treaty between Colombia and Nicaragua of March 24 last been made public in Colombia? KELLOGG 717.2114/71: Telegram The Minister in Colombia (Piles) to the Secretary of State BOGOTÁ, September 16, 1928—4 p. m. [Received September 17 (?)-10:20 a. m.] 94. Department's 55, September 15, 1 p. m. Text of treaty has not yet been made public but the President has publicly stated the general provisions of the treaty in his recent annual message to Congress. To date there has been no press comment. PILES 717.2114/73: Telegram The Minister in Nicaragua (Eberhardt) to the Secretary of State MANAGUA, September 19, 1928—2 p. m. [Received 8:54 p. m.] President Diaz will pub 347. Department's September 15, 1 p. m. lish the Colombian treaty on September 22 and he would very much appreciate it if the Department could at the same time make a public announcement regarding the negotiations which led up to its signature. Please inform me what action will be taken. 717.2114/74: Telegram EBERHARDT The Minister in Nicaragua (Eberhardt) to the Secretary of State MANAGUA, September 20, 1928—11 a. m. 349. My telegram of September 19, 2 p. m. Since the newspapers here are stating that the United States desired an adjustment of the San Andres question because we wished to acquire the island [s] from Colombia and it is even being intimated that a portion of the purchase price will be paid secretly to Conservative officials here, I recommend that I be authorized not only to furnish the press with a copy of the Department's statement about the negotiations but also to state orally at the same time that the United States has no intention of acquiring the islands for itself. EBERHARDT 717.2114/74: Telegram The Secretary of State to the Minister in Nicaragua (Eberhardt) WASHINGTON, September 21, 1928–6 p. m. 187. Your 347, September 19, 2 p. m. At the press conference this afternoon the Secretary said: "The Department of State was consulted by both parties to the treaty and expressed the opinion to both that the proposed treaty appeared to offer a very satisfactory and equitable solution of this controversy and the Department therefore hoped that the treaty would receive the approval of the respective Governments." Copies of the treaty and the notes exchanged with the Colombian Minister on April 10 were given to the correspondents following the conference. You may give out the same statement in Managua if you desire to do so, and you are authorized to say orally in addition that the United States has no intention of acquiring the islands for itself. KELLOGG 738.3915/328: Telegram Dominican Republic and Haiti " The Minister in the Dominican Republic (Young) to the Secretary of State [Paraphrase] SANTO DOMINGO, January 14, 1928-noon. [Received 7:30 p. m.] 8. Informal conversations looking to the settlement of the boundary question have been instituted here. It now seems likely that an exchange of notes will be effected soon agreeing to settle the question on the basis of the status quo line, with minor adjustments involving the mutual cession of territory to be worked out after the exchange of notes. The subsequent steps will involve agreement as to territory to be ceded, the amendment of article 3 of the Constitution of the Dominican Republic, and the formal ratification of the final agreement. Both sides are optimistic. YOUNG 738.3915/335 The Minister in the Dominican Republic (Young) to the Secretary of No. 790 State SANTO DOMINGO, February 20, 1928. [Received February 28.] SIR: Adverting to the Legation's telegram No. 15 of February 15, 1928,82 I have the honor to forward herewith translations of the notes exchanged by Minister of Foreign Affairs Sanchez and the Haitian Minister expressing the desire of both Governments to undertake a 81 82 Continued from Foreign Relations. 1927, vol. 1, pp. 345–356. Not printed; it informed the Department that an exchange of notes had been effected. |