File No. 715.1715/31
The Minister in Nicaragua ( Jefferson) to the Secretary of State
Department’s July 4, 7 p.m. President Chamorro informed me that Nicaragua made protest, through the Honduran Minister here, that the territory including Las Trojas, Potrerillos, and La Comunidad, whose seat of Government is Jalapa, has been recognized long [Page 22] time as Nicaraguan territory and that the Minister did not contradict Nicaraguan ownership and authority.
Chamorro stated that the only forces sent were the revenue guard comprising about 25 to 40 men, and the purpose of their action was to apprehend contrabandists who make a practice of smuggling tobacco across the border; that the only arrests made were for this purpose, that all were Nicaraguans except one, and also that the commandant of arms did not destroy crops, but he did destroy the contraband tobacco.
The President stated that he had the boundary question, through his Minister Montalvan, now on special mission to Honduras, with the hope that President Bertrand will agree to submit this question for final award to the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States, as arbitrator [sic], and that he especially desires the most friendly relations to continue between Honduras and Nicaragua.
His objections to the award, of the King of Spain are practically as reported in second paragraph my telegram of January 29, 9 a.m., 1914.
I am of the opinion that this matter can be easily settled if President Bertrand will agree to submit case to Washington.
This matter not now of public, interest here.