815.00/2094
The Minister in Honduras (Jones) to the Secretary of
State
Tegucigalpa, September 23,
1919.
[Received
October 22.]
No. 318
Sir: I have the honor to refer to my Most
Urgent cablegram of the 9th instant, 11 A.M.,11 and to that of the
same date, 12 Midnight,12 in which I advised the Department of the
deposit of the Executive Power by Doctor Francisco Bertrand and the
granting of a general amnesty, and other agreements entered into as
a result of the ex-President’s departure.
In this connection, I have the honor to attach hereto a copy and
translation of the Note addressed to me by the Secretary for Foreign
Affairs, which is an acceptance of the Department’s suggestions
contained in its cable instruction of September 5–11 P.M.13
[Page 390]
Also, I attach hereto a copy and translation of the Decree depositing
the Power in the Council of Ministers,14 as well as a copy and translation of the
Amnesty to all prisoners issued by the Council of Ministers, under
date of the tenth instant.14
And, lastly, a copy and translation of an “Important Resolution
“taken by the Council of Ministers for the direction of the affairs
of the Nation.14
I have [etc.]
[Enclosure—Translation]
The Honduran Secretary of State for Foreign
Affairs (Bendaña) to the
American Minister (Jones)
Tegucigalpa, September 9, 1919.
[Mr. Minister:] Doctor Francisco
Bertrand, having, by virtue of a Decree of this date, deposited
the Power in the Council of Ministers, has placed in my hands
the Note from Your Excellency dated the sixth instant,15 in which you call the attention of the
Government to what was communicated to you by the Government of
the United States of America, stating, at the same time, that
any suggestion from the Government of Honduras, which would
invite the use of the good offices of the United States to
mediate, in a friendly manner, with regard to the difficult
situation confronting it, would be welcome; requesting, at the
same time, an immediate answer to your note above referred
to.
By instructions from the Council of Ministers, which, at the
present time, exercises the Executive Power, and in due reply to
your communication above mentioned, I have the honor to state
that the Government of Honduras accepts the friendly mediation
which the Government of the United States of America generously
offers through you.
In virtue thereof, I beg to insinuate [suggest] to you that in order to avoid further
bloodshed and loss of property it would be, in the judgement of
the Government, of the greatest convenience, to take the most
rational steps in order that the suspension of hostilities
between the forces of the Government and the combatting bands be
effected immediately. The Government of Honduras urges you to
agree to this preliminary step.
I avail myself [etc.]
