sentatives in regard to Uruguay's present international position, and that if satisfactory arrangements can be agreed upon with the abovementioned powers, he will do all in his power to bring about a more favorable attitude on the part of his Government. On October 3 the American Minister at Montevideo cabled the Department of State that he had been informed that the Argentine Minister in Montevideo had advised the Minister for Foreign Af fairs of Uruguay, in a confidential manner, that the Argentine Government wished to call at Buenos Aires a congress of the neutral countries of Central and South America, excluding the United States. It appears that the object of the congress will be to create pressure in favor of peace and in case this is not obtained, to decide an attitude abandoning neutrality. In his cable the Minister further reported that he had received an intimation from Uruguayan officials to the effect that the tendency toward neutrality in Uruguay was being fomented by the attitude of certain of the Entente Allied powers in not wishing to come to an agreement with Uruguay on matters which she considered affected her sovereignty. The foregoing information is communicated to the representatives of Great Britain, France, and Italy, in Washington, as of particular interest at this time, and the Government of the United States feels that on account of the importance of the friendly attitude of Uruguay it would be of great service to the cause of the United States and the other nations which are at present aligned against the Imperial German Government, should the contemplated action on the part of certain factions in Uruguay be avoided. WASHINGTON, October 5, 1917. File No. 763.72/7097 The Secretary of State to the Minister in Uruguay (Jeffery) [Telegram] WASHINGTON, October 6, 1917, 5 p. m. Your October 2, 7 p. m.,2 and October 3, 8 p. m. Very careful consideration has been given by the Government of the United States to statement of Uruguayan Minister for Foreign Affairs and to the contents of his confidential memorandum.3 This Government, although quite understanding the position of the Government of Uruguay as expressed by the Minister for Foreign Affairs in relation to his desire to see Uruguay treated by all nations in strict accord with the applied principles of international 'Telegram not printed. Ante, p. 334. 'Not printed. law, could not but experience a feeling of great surprise, if not embarrassment, in learning that at this particular moment one of the most advanced and important of the American nations should raise such a conditional issue; as it had, upholding the Pan-American ideal, expressed its adherence to the principles enunciated by the United States in the present war against the German Government, which principles are also shared by the Entente Allied powers. Although imbued with these feelings this Government, in a desire to aid in the just settlement of any differences of opinion between Uruguay and other nations, did not hesitate to bring the substance of the statements contained in the above-mentioned cablegrams to the attention of the representatives of Great Britain, France, and Italy, stating that the matter was presented to them merely for their information. It was added that the United States desired to make no comment thereupon, in view of the fact that such an advanced and highly placed member of the family of nations as Uruguay could only act with that justice and nobility of purpose which has always characterized it, and for which reasons the United States has always been rightly proud of its friendship. Department's October 1, 5 p. m. Under date October 4 Department has received a confidential cablegram from Ambassador at Rome.1 stating that he had discussed the matter with the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Italy, who stated that he could not sustain the position should he agree to exclude from arbitration whatever Uruguay might consider withdrawn therefrom by her laws and decisions. After considerable discussion he said he was willing to negotiate the arbitration treaty; first, on either original terms proposed by Italy and agreed to by representatives of Uruguayan Government, terms identical with those in Italian treaty with Argentine and other South American Republics, or, secondly, on terms contained in United States arbitration treaty with Uruguay. This last, the Ambassador states, he seemed to believe would be accepted by Uruguay, if this solution suggested by United States. The Ambassador understood Minister for Foreign Affairs desired that case of ship Maria Madre was to be settled separately, although Ambassador believes position on this might have been changed. Department wishes you to exercise your judgment in making use of information contained in this cablegram. Before taking any action you should ascertain whether Italian Minister has made further representations or has presented views of his Government, as outlined in Ambassador Page's telegram to Department. Should any further information be received through Italian Ambassador in Washington, you will be informed immediately. LANSING 'Not printed. Severance of Relations with Germany by Peru, October 6; by Uruguay, October 7-Revocation by Uruguay of Decrees of Neutrality; Second Visit of the American Squadron to Montevideo-Assurances of Salvador as to the Use of Its Ports and Waters by the United States File No. 763.72/7151 The Consul General at Lima (Handley) to the Secretary of State: [Telegram] LIMA, October 6, 1917, 2 p. m. Minister for Foreign Affairs for Peru has telegraphed Peruvian Minister at [Berlin] to demand his passport and to turn over Peruvian interests to the Minister of Spain. German Minister at Lima given his passport October 6, 12 noon, and will probably proceed to Chile. HANDLEY File No. 763.72/7152 The Minister in Uruguay (Jeffery) to the Secretary of State [Telegram] MONTEVIDEO, October 7, 1917, 5 a. m. [Received 5.25 a. m.] Uruguayan Congress adopted resolution at 2.30 this morning, by vote of 74 to 23 in House and 13 to 3 in Senate, favoring the breaking of diplomatic relations with Germany. File No. 763.72/7230 JEFFERY The Peruvian Minister (Freyre) to the Secretary of State [A copy of the following translation of a telegram from the Peruvian Minister of Foreign Affairs to the Peruvian Minister at Washington, was handed by the Minister to the Secretary of State on October 8, 1917 :] LIMA, October 6, 1917. After having vainly endeavored to procure that the German Government settle our claim for the sinking of the Peruvian bark Lorton, which occurred in February of this year and constituted a violation of the fundamental principles of international law, the Peruvian Government was compelled to exact of the Imperial German Government a satisfactory solution of the question, within a term of eight days. The German Government, however, declared to the Peruvian Minister at Berlin that a solution of the question within a peremptory term was absolutely impossible. I, therefore, decided to inform Congress of the Government's resolution to break diplomatic relations with Germany, and Congress approved this resolution by a vote of 105 to 6. Instructions have been forwarded immediately to the Peruvian Minister at Berlin that he demand his passports, and passports have been handed to the German Minister at Lima. We will address a direct communication on the subject to the United States Government; in the meanwhile, you are instructed to make it acquainted with the situation. TUDELA File No. 763.72/7156 The Minister in Uruguay (Jeffery) to the Secretary of State [Telegram] MONTEVIDEO, undated. [Received October 8, 1917, 5.55 a. m.] Following is copy of decree of Uruguayan Government now in effect, breaking diplomatic relations with the German Government: Montevideo, October 7, 1917. In view of the authority granted Executive power by law of the nation of this date, authorizing said power to declare diplomatic and commercial relations broken between Uruguay and Imperial Government, and the reasons which have caused the legislative_decision, which are absolutely shared by the Executive power, the President of the Republic at a general Cabinet meeting decrees: ARTICLE 1. From the date of the present decree diplomatic and commercial relations between Uruguay and the German Imperial Government remain broken. ARTICLE 2. That the respective passports be handed over to the diplomatic representative of that Government, all the guaranties for his personal safety being granted to him at the same time until his removal from the country. ARTICLE 3. That telegraphic instructions be transmitted to the functionaries of the Republic in office in Germany to the effect that they immediately abandon the German territory, requesting the same guaranties which are granted to the German representative by the Government of Uruguay. File No. 710/6 Viera JEFFERY The Ecuadoran Minister (Elizalde) to the Secretary of State No. 36 [Translation] WASHINGTON, October 9, 1917. MR. SECRETARY OF STATE: I have the honor of placing in your hands the circular note dated the 11th of September last, which the Chancellery of Ecuador addressed to the American Chancelleries, together with the memorandum to which this note refers. I avail myself [etc.] R. H. ELIZALDE [Enclosure-Translation] The Ecuadoran Minister for Foreign Affairs (Tobar y Borgoño) to the Secretary of State No. 64 QUITO, September 11, 1917. MOST EXCELLENT SIR: The various situations that have successively arisen in America as the result of the present war, have confirmed the Ecuadoran Chancellery in what has ever been its belief and aspiration: the union and solidarity of all the countries of the continent. To bring about that union and solidarity has been its wish since the beginning of the war and is also now when peoples of America are being swept into the great tempest. God grant that it be possible to arrive at a Pan-American understanding under which our continent will present a strong united front to the world for the realization of the common ideals of our countries and the defense of the interests of all: that aspiration is voiced in the memorandum which I enclose in this note and of which I beg your excellency to take note. I avail myself [etc.] TOBAR Y BORGONO [Subenclosure-Translation] On November 20, 1914, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ecuador referred to the Advisory Board of the Ministry, for its examination, the general question of neutrality and its maintenance. The Board, at its session of the 23d of that month, inspired with the ideas of Americanism and continental solidarity that have always been those of Ecuador, named as one of the most effective means of achieving that object that of having "the American governments declare that respect of the neutrality of every one of the American nations is the concern of all." On December 8 that proposition was made known to the Governing Board of the Pan American Union by the Minister of Ecuador at Washington. Ecuador has not since abated its zeal for an American union with the aim of safeguarding the rights and interests of the whole continent, and has found its inspiration there for in the profound conviction that isolation could be but harmful to the various peoples of America, since their interests are common to all and hence the earnest desire to protect them must likewise be common to all, and since union and concord must necessarily prove highly fruitful to the continent in general and to each one of its peoples in particular. The present war, which unfortunately has already extended its scourge to America, can not leave unconcerned the states which are still standing on the brink of the strife: common interests, sentiments of fraternal affection and sincere sympathy, bind the neutral |