not much confidence in favorable outcome. Peruvian officials do not believe a Latin-American conference can be more potent than United States in such efforts. They think only present good attainable will be by united action, insisting on maintaining neutrality, and observance by belligerents of neutral rights under international law. A very high official said the conference ought not tender or suggest mediation. MCMILLIN File No. 763.72119/534 The Ambassador in Mexico (Fletcher) to the Secretary of State [Telegram] MEXICO CITY, April 3, 1917, noon. 54. My telegram 26, March 12 [17], 10 p. m. Minister for Foreign Affairs telegraphed yesterday to the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ecuador in reply to his message of February 17 that Mexico accepts the idea that an American congress should meet in Uruguay for the purpose of agreeing upon the means which should be adopted to bring about European peace. He also telegraphed Colombian Minister for Foreign Affairs in reply to telegram dated March 1 that Mexico accepted Ecuadoran proposal. These two apparently are the only American republics which are supporting Mexican peace propaganda and seem to be acting together. This action. at this time is significant especially in view of the fact that Aguilar stated to me as reported in my telegram above referred to that Mexico believed such a conference would be fruitless. File No. 763.72/3651 FLETCHER The Minister in Costa Rica (Hale) to the Secretary of State [Telegram] SAN JOSÉ, April 3, 1917, 1 p. m. Carlos Lara, Tinoco's Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, has sent to me by the hands of Mr. Keith a holograph document in Spanish, of which the following is a translation: Government of Tinoco expresses desire to make known that without taking into account recognition on behalf of the Government of the United States in any emergencies which arise between Germany and the United States by reason of the relations in which these two countries find themselves to-day, Government of Costa Rica not only is disposed to observe towards the United States a benevolent neutrality but also to prevent development upon its territory of any hostility against them. Keith informs me that Lara asked him to ask me to send to the Department a message of the above import and that Lara put it in writing at Keith's request. File No. 763.72/3970 HALE The Cuban Minister (Céspedes) to the Secretary of State [A copy of the following telegram from the Cuban Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (Desvernine) to the Cuban Minister at Washington was left by the Minister at the Department of State on April 5, 1917.] HABANA, April 5, 1917. You can inform his excellency the Secretary of State that the Government of Cuba is completely identified with the Government of the United States in the reasons which assist it to assume the attitude it has adopted; and profoundly grateful for the constant proofs of sincere friendship which that Government has given Cuba, only awaited to learn its friendly opinion, the President having already ordered that the message he will address to Congress be drawn up asking for constitutional authorization to consider the Republic in a state of war with Germany. He has moreover called the presidents of both Houses to confer with him, as also the Committee on Foreign Affairs and prominent leaders in politics in order to obtain an immediate approval. With regard to the interior situation you can inform that during the last three weeks there has been hardly any destruction of property and that hundreds of rebels are daily submitting to the Government, a situation from which the conviction is drawn that in a very brief period the nation will be entirely pacified. Congress convened yesterday without any abnormal occurrence. The President desires you to come to Habana immediately to confer. [File copy not signed] Responses to the Notification of a State of War between the United States and Germany-Severance of Relations with Germany, in Terms Amounting to a Declaration of War, by Panama, April 7-Declaration of War with Germany by Cuba, April 7-Severance of Relations with Germany by Brazil, April 11, in Consequence of the Sinking of the "Paraná ”. Severance of Relations with Germany by Bolivia, April 13-The Sinking of the Argentine Ship " Monte Protegido " File No. 763.72/3697a The Secretary of State to the Diplomatic Representatives in All Countries except Russia [Circular telegram] WASHINGTON, April 6, 1917. On April 6 Congress declared and President proclaimed that a state of war exists between the United States and the Imperial German Government. So inform the government to which you are accredited. File No. 763.72/3692 LANSING The Minister in Panama (Price) to the Secretary of State [Telegram] PANAMA, April 6, 1917, 9 p. m. [Received April 7, 5.15 a. m.] Pursuant to my suggestions Panaman President is sending a message to President Wilson to-night, and to-morrow the exequaturs of all German consuls in Panama will be canceled (there being no diplomatic representative), and an appropriate proclamation will be issued. PRICE File No. 763.72/3729 The Minister in Panama (Price) to the Secretary of State [Telegram] PANAMA, April 7, 1917, 10 p. m. Panaman President to-day issued a proclamation of alliance and cooperation with the United States in the war with Germany. After the preface and reference to the action of the National Assembly the following is set forth: Therefore, I, the President of the Republic of Panama, declare that the Panaman nation will lend its emphatic cooperation to the United States of America against the enemies who may execute or attempt to execute hostile acts against territory of Panama, the Panama Canal, or which in any manner may affect or tend to affect the common interests of the two countries. The Government will adopt measures adequate to these ends as circumstances may demand and considers that it is a patriotic duty for all Panaman citizens to facilitate the military operations which the forces of the United States may need to undertake within the limits of our country designed for the defense of the common rights and interests of the two nations. It is the duty of foreigners, resident or transient, to submit themselves to this declaration under the penalties established by the laws of the country and by international law. The foregoing followed by canceling exequaturs German consuls [to be] complete Monday. I venture to suggest that action of Panama be gotten into the press despatches for Latin America. PRICE File No. 763.72/3723 The Minister in Cuba (Gonzales) to the Secretary of State [Telegram] HABANA, April 7, 1917, 10 p. m. Congress convened at 4 o'clock this afternoon. Thirty minutes later Senate unanimously passed measure authorizing the President to declare war on Germany. Fifteen minutes after six, House unanimously passed the act, members standing and cheering. Act becomes effective on publication by the President in Official Gazette to-night. Act gives fullest power to the President allowed under the Constitution. Measures providing funds Quartermaster General, imposing war taxes must be introduced separately. Part of preamble follows: The fact that the United States of America has declared on the 6th instant the existence of a state of war between it and the Imperial German Government presents the exact and due opportunity for setting such situation since the historic ties and the gratitude which bind us to the great American Republic impel us to take the field where she is going to struggle for the right to use the high seas, the freedom of commerce, the respect due neutrals, and international justice. The act follows: ARTICLE 1. A state of war is hereby formally declared to exist as from this date between the Government of Cuba and the Imperial German Government and the President of the Republic is hereby authorized and directed to employ all the forces of the nation and the resources of our Government to make war upon the Imperial German Government for the purpose of upholding our rights, safe-guarding our territory, providing for our security, preventing any acts which may be done to our injury and defending navigation of the high seas, the freedom of commerce, the rights of neutrals, and international justice. ARTICLE 2. The President of the Republic is hereby authorized to dispose of the land and sea forces in such manner as he shall deem necessary, utilizing the existing forces, reorganizing them or creating new ones, and to dispose of the economic resources of the nation as required. ARTICLE 3. The President of the Republic will report to Congress the measures which he shall adopt in fulfillment hereof. GONZALES File No. 763.72/3730 The Minister in Cuba (Gonzales) to the Secretary of State [Telegram] HABANA, April 7, 1917, 11 p. m. The President is ready send to Washington commission embracing several members general staff to confer as to Cuba's part. Wishesnotification on this point. Protective measures taken as far as practicable. German hemp factory near Matanzas where activity suspected and German Army officer located occupied by Government forces. to-night. At my suggestion order for registration of every German in the country telegraphed military district commanders. Orders issued arrest German reserve officers in Cuba. The President wished delay occupying interned ships till Congress acted, but at four o'clock this afternoon having advices attempt be made sink ships in mouth of harbor and finding steam raised on the Bavaria, he seized the boats. Two boilers on Bavaria ruined, officers and crews placed in Cabañas fortress. Immediate need is number of high-power gasoline boats to patrol coast and keys where there is abundant shelter for submarine bases. GONZALES [For the letter from Mr. Fernández Guardia, representing the Tinoco government, to the Secretary of State, April 9, 1917, expressing support of the action of the United States and offering the use of Costa Rican ports and waters to the American Navy, see Foreign Relations, 1917, page 321.] File No. 763.72/3729 The Secretary of State to the Minister in Panama (Price) [Telegram] WASHINGTON, April 9, 1917, 5 p. m. Your April 7, 10 p. m. Is proclamation of President considered in Panama as a declaration of war against Germany and do you so construe it? Report by cable. LANSING |