Office of the Historian

Mr. Brown to Mr. Hay.

American Legation,
Guatemala and Honduras,
Guatemala, May 18, 1904.
No. 173.]

Sir:

* * * * * * *

Concerning the relations of Guatemala to the other republics to the south, I inclose herewith a copy and translation of the treaty of peace recently ratified by the National Assembly of Guatemala, wherein the principles of noninterference in the domestic affairs of each other and compulsory arbitration of disputes between the signatory governments are recognized.

* * * * * * *

I have, etc.,

Philip Brown.
[Inclosure—Translation.]

Central American Treaty of Peace.

The Governments of the Republics of Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua, invited by His Excellency the President of El Salvador to hold an international conference with the object of assuring peace and harmony between the Central American republics, have commenced their deliberations through their representatives, and have agreed to the following stipulations:

  • First. The Governments of Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, and El Salvador take upon themselves the obligation to maintain peace between the Republics here represented. Consequently, as an inviolable principle of conduct, they establish the nonintervention of any one of them in the domestic affairs of the other sister Republics.
  • Second. The cultivation of good relations being one of the most efficacious means of maintaining peace, the four Governments compromise themselves to reciprocally accredit consuls-general with the character of charge d’affaires, with their residence in the capitals of each of the Republics.
  • Third. To adjust the disputes that may arise between the nations signing, the principle of obligatory arbitration, already recognized, is hereby confirmed.
  • Fourth. The questions that arise between any of the Republics signing, that are not bound between themselves by former conventions of arbitration, shall be dissolved in accordance with the principles and regulations set forth in the Pan-American treaty entered into at Mexico on January 29, 1902.
  • Fifth. In case of a serious difficulty between two or more of the Republics signing that makes armed strife probable the parties interested oblige themselves to ask for and the neutrals to interpose their friendly mediation for the peaceful adjustment of the pending difficulties.
  • Sixth. This treaty being of general interest to Central America, and the sister Republic of Costa Rica not being represented in this conference, it is decided [Page 352] to invite Costa Rica, in order that, if she deems it convenient, she may accept and sign the stipulations set forth herein.
  • Seventh. Once the present convention shall have been approved by the President of each Republic, it will at once go into effect, without the necessity of previous exchange, it being sufficient for its effect the reciprocal notification of the high contracting parties to the convention that it has been approved in the prescribed form.

In witness whereof we sign in quadruplicate, in the city of San Salvador, this second day of November, one thousand nine hundred and three.

  • Manuel Maria Giron.
  • F. Davila.
  • Adolfo Altamarino.
  • Manuel I. Morales.
Executive Palace,
Gautemala, November 9, 1903.

The constitutional President of the Republic decides:

To approve the Central American peace convention signed by the delegates of the Republics of Gautemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, and El Salvador the 2d day of the present month in the capital of the latter Republic.

Let this be communicated.

Estrada C.

Secretary of state in the office of foreign relations.

Juan Barrios M.

Decree No. 592.

The National Legislative Assembly of the Republic of Guatemala decrees:

Only Article. The peace convention of Central America, that was entered into between the plenipotentiaries of Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, and El Salvador on the 2d day of November, 1903, in the capital of the last-named nation, is approved in all its parts.

Let this be passed to the executive for its publication.

Given in the legislative palace, Guatemala, April 26, 1904.

  • Arturo Ubico, President.
  • Jose A. Beteta, Secretary.
  • Francisco C. Castaneda, Secretary.

Executive Palace, Guatemala, May 2, 1904.

Let the above be complied with.

Manuel Estrada C.

The secretary of state in the office of foreign relations.

Juan Barrios M.