The Department will note that the treaty was signed not by the
Nicaraguan Minister for Foreign Affairs but by the Subsecretary for
Foreign Affairs. An effort had been made to negotiate the treaty
before the return from Havana of Doctor Cuadra Pasos, in order that
he might avoid responsibility for relinquishing Nicaragua’s claims
to the San Andres Archipelago, should his political enemies be
disposed to make use of the treaty for partisan purposes. As it was
found impossible to complete negotiations before Doctor Cuadra
Pasos’ return, it was apparently believed that he would avoid attack
if he did not sign the treaty personally, although he is of course
entirely responsible for the arrangement effected.
The Nicaraguan Government has desired that the signature of this
treaty be kept absolutely secret, because it has feared that the
Liberals
[Page 703]
would use the
treaty as a political weapon if its contents should be divulged
before the presidential elections.
[Enclosure—Translation]
Treaty Between Colombia and Nicaragua,
Signed March 24, 192880
The Republic of Colombia and the Republic of Nicaragua, desiring
to bring to an end the territorial dispute pending between them
and to strengthen the bonds of traditional friendship which
unites them, have decided to celebrate the present treaty for
this purpose, and have named their respective plenipotentiaries,
i. e.:
By His Excellency the President of the Republic of Colombia,
Doctor Manuel Esguerra, Envoy Extraordinary and Minister
Plenipotentiary in Nicaragua, and
By His Excellency the President of the Republic of Nicaragua,
Doctor José Barcenas Meneses, Subsecretary for Foreign
Relations, who, after exchanging their full powers which they
found in due form, have agreed to the following provisions:
Article I
The Republic of Colombia recognizes the sovereignty and full
dominion of the Republic of Nicaragua over the Mosquito Coast,
extending from Cape Gracias a Dios to the River San Juan, and
over the islands of Mangle Grande and Mangle Chico (Great Corn
Island and Little Corn Island) in the Atlantic Ocean; and the
Republic of Nicaragua recognizes the sovereignty and full
dominion of the Republic of Colombia over the Islands San
Andres, Providencia, Santa Catalina and all the other islands,
islets and keys which form part of said San Andres
Archipelago.
The Keys Roncador, Quitasueño and Serrana, the dominion over
which is in dispute between Colombia and the United States of
America, are not considered to be included in this treaty.
Article II
The present treaty, in order to become valid, shall be submitted
to the congresses of both states, and after approval by these
the exchange of ratifications shall take place in Managua or
Bogotá within the shortest possible time.
In witness whereof, we, the respective plenipotentiaries, have
signed and affixed our seals.
Done in duplicate in
Managua the 24th of March,
1928.
[
seal]
Manuel Esguerra
[
seal]
J.
Barcenas Meneses
