Mr. Peterson to Mr. Kimberly.
Tegucigalpa, February 12, 1891.
Sir: I desire to call your attention to a matter of much importance to the business interests of American citizens in this Republic, and one which has caused a good deal of annoyance and delay in the transaction of business with the United States.
[Page 59]It is the bad condition of the cable service, and the trouble appears to be in Salvador.
On numerous occasions cable messages have been delayed in transmission both ways, and the repetition of a word, in order to render the message intelligible, has been frequently not only delayed but sometimes impossible to secure. For example, I am informed by Capt. H. M. Payne, who is doing business in this Republic, that he sent a cable to New Orleans on January 7 which reached its destination January 20, and then it went forward after he had made inquiry through the telegraph office in this city. He was informed by the office in Salvador that the message “had been delayed.” A delay of thirteen days seems to be rather a long time.
Another case: Henry Wüchner, of this city, has been waiting for days for the repetition of a word.
I am informed by Capt. Frank Imboden that he has had similar experiences.
These things are not only annoying, but the parties interested suffer loss to their business and to their reputations.
The cable line is not the property of Salvador, and, whether in peace or war, messages between business men of the United States and of the Central American Republics should be promptly and correctly transmitted.
As I said above, the fault appears to be in Salvador, though it may be elsewhere.
I do not write this in the nature of a formal complaint, but simply wish to call your attention to the facts as they exist.
If you can do anything—and it “is believed you can—to secure the inviolability of international cable communication, you will render a service to the business interests of American citizens as well as others residing and transacting business in Honduras.
You will do me a favor to keep me informed as to developments.
Further, I wish to report the arrival at this capital of special embassadors from Nicaragua and from Salvador.
The particular business in hand seems to be negotiations concerning the union of the Central American Republics.
I am, etc.,
Consul.