715.1715/708: Telegram
The Nicaraguan Minister for Foreign Affairs (Cordero Reyes) to the Secretary of State
[Received October 14—1:50 p.m.]
Referring to the declarations of the Government of Honduras of the 9th of this October in connection with the incident that has arisen between Nicaragua and that country as a sequel to the old boundary question, I have been instructed by the President of the Republic to declare the following: First. Nicaragua’s traditional policy has been and is that of the most loyal adherence to peace, as is proved not only by her modest and unconditional support of the elaboration of antiwar law, but, chiefly, by her conduct, during the present friction with Honduras, firmly oriented, even at the cost of great sacrifices, towards the prevention of the outbreak of war between two peoples so closely bound together by their history and the solidarity of a common destiny. Second. Nicaragua’s policy is likewise traditionally respectful of the principle of the sanctity of treaties. Third. Nicaragua considers that the disapproval by her public authorities of the arbitral award by the King of Spain that was handed down on the [Page 86] question of the boundary with Honduras is not incompatible with the preceding declaration as the said award was prepared and delivered in substantial violation of the treaty that defined the obligatory relation between the parties, and it may even be said that the said award is not based on the arbitration agreement, as the life of the latter had already expired. Fourth. Nicaragua has always been disposed to submit her allegations as to the nullity of the award to a new arbitration, whereby she demonstrates her sincere devotion to this civilized means of settlement of disputes. Fifth. Nicaragua likewise has been and is disposed to secure the definitive settlement of the question pending with Honduras by any non-military method, on the basis of mutual concessions. Sixth. In accordance with the foregoing declarations, which she considers sufficiently broad, Nicaragua declares that she would accept with satisfaction the friendly intervention of third governments that might be suggested to her for the purposes of the preceding paragraph.
Please accept [etc.]