Affairs called to ask this Legation to ascertain precisely what support the United States would give to Haiti in the event of her declaring war against the Imperial German Government. Respectfully urge early reply. File No. 763.72/4084 BLANCHARD The Secretary of State to the Minister in Haiti (Bailly-Blanchard) [Telegram] WASHINGTON, April 27, 1917, 6 p. m. Your April 26, 3 p. m. Haitian Minister was informed that in eventuality mentioned the United States would give "all proper assistance." It is obvious that the form this might take would depend upon circumstances and such necessities as might arise, but generally speaking this Government would use every effort to prevent Haiti from suffering injury as a result of her action. File No. 763.72/4167 LANSING The Secretary of the Navy (Daniels) to the Secretary of State No. 28517 Op-23 WASHINGTON, April 27, 1917. SIR: It is requested that the Navy Department be informed at the earliest possible moment after the change of relations between the United States and any foreign government has taken place. This information is highly desirable in order that the vessels on detached service in foreign countries can be informed and act in accordance therewith. This Department at the present time has not been informed officially by the Department of State regarding the breaking off of diplomatic relations with Turkey, and also as to whether the Department of State is expected to decline or accept the offer of the Costa Rican Government of its harbors and ports for use by the United States naval vessels. Sincerely yours, File No. 763.72/4415 JOSEPHUS DANIELS The Guatemalan Minister (Méndez) to the Secretary of State [Copies of the following translations of telegrams exchanged between the Guatemalan Minister at Washington and President Estrada Cabrera of Guatemala, were left by the Minister at the Department of State on April 27, 1917.] WASHINGTON, April 25, 1917. THE PRESIDENT, GUATEMALA: The Secretary of State in behalf of the President, appreciating and highly thankful for your good will, suggests that, in the presence of German plots which endanger the safety and independence of Central America and in the community of the principles proclaimed by the United States, Guatemala sever relations with the Imperial German Government and place its waters, harbors, and railroads at the disposal of the United States to be used in the mutual defence of both countries. JOAQUÍN MÉNDEZ GUATEMALA, April 26, 1917. THE MINISTER OF GUATEMALA, WASHINGTON: Replying to your cablegram of yesterday, it affords me pleasure to say to you that without any prompting and in the most spontaneous manner all that you suggest in your cablegram is done. All that is wanting is that you ask of the Department of State of the United States that in communications made to you there and to Minister Leavell here at the same time, it be pleased to tell us that it accepts and agrees to our participation and what are the terms of defensive alliance. I understand, as I already said to you in a letter, that an exchange of notes of receipt will suffice for this. File No. 763.72/3971 MANUEL ESTRADA CABRERA The Secretary of State to the Guatemalan Minister (Méndez) No. 70 WASHINGTON, April 28, 1917. SIR: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your note of April 18, transmitting a copy of a memorandum expressing your Government's desire to cooperate with the United States in its activities occasioned by the state of war existing between the United States and Germany, which memorandum was handed to the American Minister at Guatemala City by the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Guatemala. You quote from a letter in which the President of Guatemala requests you to ascertain how he can best support the United States in this conflict, and you offer me your services in reporting to your President and Government all that may contribute to the fulfilment of Guatemala's wish to uphold this Government in its efforts to achieve a just peace. In reply I beg to say that your note and its enclosure have been read with profound gratification, and to request you to convey to the President of Guatemala this Government's high appreciation of his valued assistance and warm reciprocation of his sentiments of friendship. 1Ante, p. 257. Thanking you for your courteous offer of your services in communicating the wishes of the United States to the President of Guatemala, which it will afford me pleasure to avail myself of when occasion shall arise, I avail myself [etc.] File No. 862.85/58 ROBERT LANSING The Secretary of State to the Minister in Cuba (Gonzales) [Telegram] WASHINGTON, April 29, 1917, 11 a. m. Ascertain and cable attitude of Cuban Government toward disposing of German vessels to the United States which are understood to have been seized by that Government, and if these vessels are not seized what the attitude of the Cuban Government will be toward seizing or requisitioning them. If Cuba is willing to dispose of these vessels the United States Shipping Board recommends the following method of procedure: (A) It should be suggested that Cuba take the following steps, by proper legislation or order: (1) Authorize her proper officials to seize the vessels, and on proof that they are of enemy nationality, assume title thereto on behalf of the Cuban Government. (2) Provide by appropriate legislation for a board of competent appraisers (who need not be citizens of Cuba), to be appointed by the President of Cuba, to assess their present value (unaffected by seizure or prospect of seizure by the Government), and report the same to the President of Cuba. (3) Authorize the President of Cuba to sell the ships to the United States, at a price not less than that fixed by the board of appraisers. (B) Congress should be requested to authorize the United States Shipping Board, with the consent of the President, to purchase vessels from the Cuban Government, at a reasonable price to be determined by the Shipping Board. (C) The Shipping Board should make a formal offer to buy the ships from the Cuban Government, on the following terms: (1) The vessels to be delivered immediately; (2) The Board to pay the Cuban Government the price determined upon by the Cuban Board of Appraisers (provided the personnel of the board is first approved by the Shipping Board), plus all reasonable and necessary expenses incurred in the seizure, condemna tion, and sale, with interest from the date of delivery. LANSING File No. 763.72/4282 The Panaman Minister (Porras) to the Secretary of State [Translation] WASHINGTON, April 30, 1917. MR. SECRETARY: I have the honor to transcribe to your excellency the cablegram I have received from my Government respecting the commission of which Messrs. Eusebio A. Morales and Julio Arjona Q., are members and I am President, to the end that your excellency may have notice of the powers amply given me in regard to the cooperation of Panama with your excellency's Government in the war against the Imperial German Government. That cablegram amplifies the powers conferred upon Messrs. Morales and Arjona and qualifies them to negotiate with your excellency in all that Panama may do as an ally and friend. The cablegram reads as follows: Government vests you as President, commission with power to represent Panama discussion war measures for protection Canal Panama territory. Report whether commission has been received by Secretary of State or when it will be. I beg your excellency to accept [etc.] BELISARIO PORRAS Severance of Relations with Germany by Guatemala, April 27-Settlement of the "Monte Protegido " Case between Argentina and Germany-Argentine Invitation, May 9, to the Latin-American States for a Conference; Attitude of the United States-Severance of Relations with Germany by Honduras, May 17; by Nicaragua, May 19 File No. 763.72/7781 The Guatemalan Minister (Méndez) to the Secretary of State [Translation] WASHINGTON, April 27, 1917. Mr. SECRETARY OF STATE: I have just received the following cable from the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Guatemala: Minister Méndez, Legation of Guatemala, Washington. The Government of Guatemala to-day broke off relations with the German Empire, handing his passports to Minister Lehmann and canceling the exequaturs of the German Consul accredited to Guatemala. Advise the American Government. Toledo H[errarte]. In communicating the action of my Government to your excellency, I take pleasure in reiterating that Guatemala, from the first, has adhered to and supported the attitude of the United States in the defense of the rights of nations, the liberty of the seas, and of international justice, and that it has always considered itself in unity with your great nation in the lofty principles which it has so wisely proclaimed for the good of humanity. Therefore, Guatemala takes the greatest pleasure in offering to the United States of America her territorial waters, her ports and railways for use in common defense, as also all elements which may be available for the same purpose. I avail myself [etc.] File No. 763.72/4110 JOAQUÍN MÉNDEZ The Secretary of State to the Guatemalan Minister (Méndez) No. 72 WASHINGTON, May 1, 1917. SIR: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your note dated April 28 [27], 1917, in which you inform me that your Government on April 27 broke off relations with the Imperial German Empire, handing his passports to Minister Lehmann and canceling. the exequaturs of the German consuls in Guatemala. In communicating the action taken by your Government, you cxpress gratification in reiterating that from the first Guatemala has adhered to and supported the attitude of the United States in the defense of the principles of international law, of the rights of nations, and the freedom of the seas; that it has always considered itself in unity with the United States in the principles which this Government has proclaimed for the good of humanity, and that Guatemala, therefore, takes great pleasure in offering to the United States of America her territorial waters, her ports, and railways for use in common defense, as also all elements which may be available for the same purpose. In reply I have the honor to state that this step on the part of the Government of Guatemala, in defense of the principles of international law and the rights of humanity, as also in safeguarding the independence of Central America, marks a new era in the relationship between the American peoples, and the Government of the United States has received the information of the action of the Government of Guatemala with deep gratitude and appreciation. I have the honor to state that the Government of the United States accepts with gratitude the friendly offer of the Government of Guatemala to place at its disposition its territorial waters, ports and railway communication, for the purpose of carrying out its plans for common defense, and assures the Government of Guatemala of its lasting friendship and earnest and steadfast support. ROBERT LANSING Accept [etc.] |