had been further instructed that if France and North Germany should both ask the good offices and sole mediation of the United States for the restoration of peace, the Government would feel it its duty, for humanity's sake, to accept the task. Sir Edward Thornton observed that any durable arrangement would hardly be feasible without consulting the interests of other European powers. Mr. Fish replied that the United States would not have the slightest objection to confer with other European governments upon the subject; that it would indeed be absurd to attempt the establishment of a durable peace without listening to the expression of their views, but that the United States would be obliged to decline a joint official mediation with European powers. 61 Brit. & For. State Papers, 784. "The reasons which you present against an American intervention between France and Germany are substantially among the considerations which determined the President in the course and policy indicated to you in the cable dispatches from this office on the 9th instant, and in rejecting all idea of mediation unless upon the joint request of both of the warring powers. “It continues to be the hope of the President, as it is the interest of the people of this country, that the unhappy war in which France and North Germany are engaged should find an early end. "This Government will not express any opinion as to the terms or conditions upon which a peace may or should be established between two Governments equally sharing its friendship, but it is hoped that the prolongation of the war may not find its cause either in extreme demands on the one side, or extreme sensitiveness on the other side. "So far as you can consistently and without my official interposition of advice or of counsel, it is hoped that you will lose no proper opportunity to indicate the wishes and hopes of the President and of the American people as above represented, and to contribute what you may to the presentation of such terms of peace as befit the greatness and the power which North Germany has manifested, and as shall not be humiliating or derogatory to the pride of the great people who were our earliest and fast ally." Mr. Fish, Sec. of State, to Mr. Bancroft, Sept. 30, 1870, For. Rel. 1870, 194. "We were asked by the new Government [of France] to use our good offices, jointly with those of European powers, in the interests of peace. Answer was made that the established policy and the true interests of the United States forbade them to interfere in European questions jointly with European powers. I ascertained, informally and unofficially, that the Government of North Germany was not then disposed to listen to such representations from any power, and though earnestly wishing to see the blessings of peace restored to the belligerents, with all of whom the United States are on terms of friendship, I declined, on the part if this Government, to take a step which could only result in injury to our true interests, without advancing the object for which our intervention was invoked. Should the time come when the action of the United States can hasten the return of peace, by a single hour, that action will be heartily taken.” President Grant, annual message, Dec. 5, 1870, For. Rel. 1870, 4. In June, 1879, simultaneous but independent overtures were made to the United States by the cabinets of London and Berlin looking to a future formal proposal from Germany and Great Britain to act with them in a mediation between the belligerents in South America. in the interest of the protection of commerce. The United States, while indicating its readiness to assist in the restoration of peace whenever its good offices might be usefully proffered, stated that it did not look with favor upon any premature effort, or any effort in combination with other neutral powers, which would carry an impression of dictation or coercion in disparagement of belligerent rights. The United States subsequently intimated to its minister in Bolivia, with reference to a conversation which he had had with the minister of foreign affairs and acting President of that country, that it would be willing to use its mediation with a view to arbitrating or otherwise composing the differences between Chile and Peru and bringing about an honorable ending of the war. Mr. F. W. Seward, Act. Sec. of State, to Mr. Pettis, min. to Bolivia, See Sir E. Thornton, Brit. min., to Mr. Evarts, Sec. of State, Sept. 8, The United States minister at Lima having, early in 1883, united with the representatives of France, Great Britain, and Italy, to bring about a joint intervention in South American affairs, his action was disapproved. (Mr. Frelinghuysen, Sec. of State, to Mr. Logan, March 7, 1883, and tel. of April 2, 1883, MS. Inst. Chile, XVII. 60, 77.) "The war between the Republic of Chili, on the one hand, and the allied Republics of Peru and Bolivia on the other, still continues This Government has not felt called upon to interfere in a contest that is within the belligerent rights of the parties as independent We have, however, always held ourselves in readiness to aid in accommodating their difference, and have at different times reminded both belligerents of our willingness to render such service. “Our good offices, in this direction, were recently accepted by all the belligerents, and it was hoped they would prove efficacious; but I regret to announce that the measures which the ministers of the United States at Santiago and Lima were authorized to take, with the view to bring about a peace, were not successful. In the course of the war some questions have arisen affecting neutral rights; in all of these the ministers of the United States have, under their instructions, acted with promptness and energy in protection of American interests." President Hayes, annual message, Dec. 6, 1880, For. Rel. 1880, xiii. See, also, President Hayes, annual message, Dec. 1, 1879; President Where the American minister at Port au Prince, in conjunction with the other foreign representatives there, offered, in the name of the Haytian Government, certain propositions to insurgents, pledging that Government to a certain course of action, he was instructed that the paper delivered to the insurgents could be regarded, so far as the United States was concerned, only as the personal and unauthorized expression of his individual opinion, although, even in this light, the failure of his good intentions was regretted. Mr. J. Davis, Act. Sec. of State, to Mr. Langston, min. to Hayti, No. 210, It was stated that, after the killing of President Barrios in battle on April 2, 1885, Mr. Hall, the American minister in Central America, by the exercise of his good offices prevented the assumption of a military dictatorship in Guatemala by General Barrundia, and that he had been instrumental in prevailing upon the Guatemalan Government to adhere to legal measures, and had advised, as a step towards peace with Salvador, the appointment of a new ministry. It was further stated that the efforts of the legation had been directed towards preventing a renewal of hostilities with Salvador and threatened anarchy in Guatemala, and that strict neutrality had been maintained throughout. It appears that on the night of April 3, 1885, the members of the diplomatic corps at Guatemala city met, at the solicitation of the Guatemalan minister of foreign affairs, at the legation of the United States, the the minister of war being present. ministers united in a telegram to the of Central America, recommending an armistice for one month. The President of Salvador declined this proposal, but expressed a wish for a definitive peace. The members of the diplomatic corps then came together again at the legation of the United States and formulated a proposal that the five governments should join in a declaration of peace and friendship without conditions or reclamations of any kind, and that an absolute amnesty should be conceded minister of foreign affairs and After discussion, the foreign presidents of the five republics to all who were in any way implicated in political matters relating to the war. This proposal was at once accepted by the President of Salvador as well as by the President of Guatemala. Peace was also proclaimed between Salvador and Honduras. On April 18, 1885, the legislative assembly of Guatemala adopted a resolution of thanks to the diplomatic corps for its friendly mediation. For. Rel. 1885, 99, 100, 103, 112, 114, 117, 118, 123. In his No. 377, June 26, 1885, Mr. Hall reported, with reference to the Mr. Hall's No. 377, of June 26, 1885, is printed in For. Rel. 1885, 130. See, also, Mr. Bayard, Sec. of State, to Mr. Pringle, No. 305, Nov. 18, 1885, The traditional attitude of the United States towards the sister Republies of this continent is one of peace and friendly counsel. When as colonies they threw off their political connection with Europe, we encouraged them by our sympathies. By the moral weight of our official declarations we prevented intervention, either to restore old political connections with Europe, or to create new ones. The policy we then adopted has been since maintained. While we would draw them nearer to us by bonds of mutual interest and friendly feeling, our sole political connection springs from the desire that they should be prosperous and happy under the republican form of government which they and we have chosen. We aim to be regarded as a disinterested friend and counselor, but we do not assume to impose our wishes upon them, or to act as arbitrator or umpire in their disputes unless moved to it by the wish of both parties, or by ontrolling interests of our own." Mr. Frelinghuysen, Sec. of State, to Mr. Trescot, special envoy, No. 7, See Mr. Evarts, Sec. of State, to Sir E. Thornton, Brit. min., Sept. 24. On July 26, 1890, Mr. Blaine, with reference to the war that had been declared by Guatemala as existing with Salvador by reason of the invasion of Guatemalan territory by Salvadorean troops, instructed Mr. Mizner, the American minister in Central America, to tender the good offices of the United States for the friendly adjustment of all the differences between the states of Central America, and added that, while the United States was prompted by impartial and earnest friendship and desired not to exercise any constraint, it was its wish to make an end of a situation not only destructive of the peace of its neighbors, but injurious to the common interests of all. On August 17, 1890, the members of the diplomatic corps in Central America presented bases of peace between Guatemala and Salvador. Certain provisions of the document were objected to by Salvador, but, on the strength of an explanation made by the members of the diplomatic corps, the terms were accepted and peace was subsequently declared. For. Rel. 1890, 39, 90-96, 100-104, 106, 113, 121. "I have to thank you for the full and interesting statement, presented in your dispatches Nos. 8 and 10, of the respective dates of May 23 and 31, showing the course of the revolution in Nicaragua and the adjustment of the controversy by means of the peace commission which you were happily instrumental in bringing about. "Your course in this relation merits my cordial approval. You appear to have rightly understood the policy of this Government, which is at all times disposed to lend its impartial good offices, or those of its diplomatic agents, to the honorable adjustment of issues of peace or war in neighboring communities, whenever acceptable to both parties; and it would seem that the tender of your mediation was not made without previous knowledge that it would be equally welcomed by the titular Government and the revolutionists. In the commission itself you appear to have acted merely in the neutral capacity of a presiding officer, concerned only in reaching a harmonious result, and regarding the facts of the situation without advocating the claims of either side. It is pleasant to know that your friendly course has deserved the commendations alike of the retiring Executive and of the party which has succeeded to power." Mr. Gresham, Sec. of State, to Mr. Baker, min. to Nicaragua, No. 27, Mr. Baker acted as president of the peace commission, the other members "The correspondence growing out of the effort of this Government to make known to China and Japan its willingness to contribute |