INTERNATIONAL COURT OF JUSTICE
DISPUTE CONCERNING
NAVIGATIONALAND RELATED RIGHTS
(COSTA RICA v. NICARAGUA)
MEMORIAL OF COSTA RICA
VOLUME2
(Annexes 1 to 29)
29 August 2006 ·LIST OF ANNEXES
(VOLUME 2)
Nurnber Description Annexes
Page N°
Annex 1 Capitu1aci6n con Diego Gutiérrez para la conquista de la
Provincîa de Cartago, 29 Nove rnber 1540 (extracts)
Source: MM de Peralta, Costa Rica, Nicaragua y
Panama en el Siglo XVI. Su Historia y sus Limites
(Madrid: Lîbreria M. Murillo, 1883), 101-103 .................. .
Annex 2 Real Provision de SS. MM. el Emperador y la Reina doiia
Juana sobre los limites de la gobemacion de Cartago, y
en particular sobre los del Desaguadero6 rio de San Juan
de Nicaragua, 6 May 1541 (extracts) Source: MM
de Peralta, Costa Rica Nicaragua y Panama en el Sig/o
XVI. Su Historia y sus Limites (Madrid: Librerîa de M.
Murillo, 1883), 125-127 .. . .. . . .. . . .. . .. . .. . .. . .. . . .. .. . . . .. 5
Annex 3 Titulo de Alcalde Mayor de las Provincias de Nueva
Cartago y Costa Rica, en favor del Licenciado Juan
Cavallon.- Limites de estas Provincias, 17 May 1561
(extracts)
Source: MM de Peralta, Costa Rica Nicaragua y Panama
en el Sigio XVI. Su Historia y sus Limites (Madrid:
Libreria de M. Murillo, 1883), 194-195 . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Il . . . . . . .
Annex 4 United States-Great Britain, Convention Conceming a
Ship Canal Connecting the Atlantic and Pacifie Oceans
(Clayton-Bulwer) Articles I,IV, VI, Washington, D.C.,
19 April 1850 (in force 4 July 1850) Source: 104
CTS 41; 38 BFSP 4........................................ 15
Annex 5 Treaty of Limits (Caiias-Juâ.rez), Managua, 6 July 1857
(unrati fied)
Source:www.manfut.org/cronologia/t-canasjuarez.html ...... ~... 21
Annex 6 Convention of Peace (Caiias-Martinez), Rivas, 8
Oecember 1857 (Arts 8, 9 subject to ratification,
unratified; remainder in force on signature)
Source: 49 BFSP 1222 .................................... 25
Annex 7 Costa Rica-Nicaragua, Treaty of Limits (Caiias-Jérez),
San José, 15 April 1858
(a) Original version in Spanish
Source: Coleccion de las Leyes, Decretos y 01"(/enes
expedidos por los Supremos Poderes Legislativo y
Ejecutivo de Costa Rica en el afio de 1858, Tomo
XV, (San José:lmprenta de la Paz, 1871),175- 188 ........ 33 (b) English translation: Costa Rican version submitted
to Cleveland,
Source: P PérezZeled6n, Argument on the Question
of the Validityof the Treaty of Limits ben,veenCosta
Rica and Nicaragua (Washington, D.C., Gibson
Bros, 1887), Document No. 1 ~185........................ 46
(c) English translation: Nicaraguan version submitted
to Cleveland
Source: The Case of Nicaragua, 1887, Appendix B,
34 .................................................. 54
(d) English translation
Source: 48 BFSP 1049 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61
Annex 8 Nicaragua-Costa Rica-F Belly, Convention relative to the
Concession for an lnter-oceanic Canal by the River San
Juan and the Lake of Nicaragua, Rivas, 1 May 1858,.
Article 1
Source: F.Belly, Carte d'étudepour le trace et le profil
de Canal de Nicaragua (Paris: Chez Dalmont et Duod,
Éditeurs, 1858), Document Il, 19-27.......................... 67
Annex 9 Costa Rica-Nicaragua, Preliminary Convention on a
Scientific Survey (Volio-Zelaya), San José,13 July 1868,
1
Article
Source: JM Bonilla, Co/eccion de Tl·atados
fnternacionales. (Managua: Tipografia Intemacional,
1909), 365-366 ........................................... 69
Annex 10 Costa Rica-Nicaragua, Treaty of Commerce (Volio
Zelaya),San José, 14 August 1868, Articles 1, 2
Source: JM Bonilla, Colecci6n de Tratados
lnternacionales (Managua: Tipografia Intemacional,
1909), 386-392 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73
Annex li Republic of Nicaragua-M. Chevalier, Contract for the
Excavation of an Interoceanic Canal across Central
America (Ayon-Chevalier), Paris, 6 October 1868,
Articles 53-56
Source: 61 BFSP 1266 (French) ............................. 77
Annex 12 Costa Rica-Nicaragua, Convention Additional to the
Preliminary Convention on a Scientific Survey of 13July
1868 relative to the improvement of the Colorado or San
Juan Rivers (Esquivel-Rivas), San José, 21 December
1868 (unratified) Article 2
Source: JM Bonilla, Colecci6n de T!·atados
lnternacionales. (Managua: Tipografia Internacional,
1909), 369-371 ........................................... 79
IlAnnex 13 Costa Rica~Nicar Taraty a,or the excavation of an
Interoceanic Canal (Jimén e znealegre ), San José,18
June 1869, Article 1 ....................................... 85
Source: 61 BFSP 1144
Annex 14 Costa Rica-Nicaragua, Convention to submit to the
arbitrationof the Govemment of the United States the
question in regard to the validity of the treaty of April 15,
1858 (Esquivel-Roman), Guatemala, 24 December 1886,
Articles 6,7,10
Source: 168 CTS 371 ...................................... 87
Anne x 15 Costa Rica-Nicaragua, Con vent ion (Soto-Carazo ),
Managua, 26 July 1887 (unratified)
Source: Memoria anual de la Secretaria de Relaciones
Exteriores y Carieras Anexas 1888 (San José: Imprenta
Nacional, 1888) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89
Annex 16 Cleveland Award upon the validity of the Treaty of
Limits of 1858 between Costa Rica and Nicaragua,
Washington, 22 March 1888
Source: Papers relating to the Foreign Relations of the
United States transmitted to Congress, with the annual
message of the President, Part 1, December 1888.
(Washington, D.C.: Government Printing Office, 1889) .......... 95
Annex 17 Costa Rica-Nicaragua, Delimitation Convention
(Pacheco-Matus), San Salvador, 27 March 1896, Article 2
Source: 182 CTS 359.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101
Annex 18 First Award rendered by the umpire, EP Alexander, San
Juan del Norte on Sep 30, \897, in the boundary
question, between Costa Rica and Nicaragua
Source: H. Lafontaine, Pasicrisie Internationale 1794-
1900: Histoire Documentaire des Arbitrages
Internationaux (1902, reprinted 1997, Martinus Nijhoff,
The Hague), 529-532 ..................................... 105
Annex 19 United States-Nicaragua, Convention for the
construction of a Canal by the River San Juan
(Chamorro-Weitzel), Washington, D.C., 8 February 1913
Source: Republic of Costa Rica, Complaint before the
Central American Court of Justice (Washington, D.C.:
Press of Gibson Bros., Inc. 1916) Annex L, p.82"'86. . . . . . . . . . . Ill
Annex 20 United States-Nicaragua, Convention for the
construction of a Canal by the River San Juan (Bryan
Chamarra), Washington, D.C., 5 August 1914
Source: 220 crs 215. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117
Annex 21 Republic qlCosta Rica v Republic a/Nicaragua, Central
American Com1 ofJustice, Opinion and Decision of the
Court, 30 September 1916
Source: (1917) Il AJTL 181-229. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121
111Annex 22 Costa Rica-Nicaragua, Convention for the Canalization
of the San Juan River (Cordero-Zufi.iga), San José, 5
April 1940 (in force 21 June 1940), Articles 3, 10
Source: Ministerio Relaciones Exteriores, Convencion
para la canalizacion del Rio San Juan y otros
particulares relacionados con dicha canalizacion (San
José:Imprenta Nacional, 1940) 15-22 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 171
Annex 23 Costa Rica-Nicaragua, Pact of Amity (Sevilla-Esquivel)
Washington, D.C., 21 February 1949 (in force 15 July.
1949) Source: 1465 .W.1 :S.r~........................ 175
Annex 24 Costa Rica-Nicaragua, Agreement pursuant to Article IV
of the Pact of Amîty (Foumier-Sevilla) Washington,
D.C., 9 January 1956, Articles 1, 4
Source: 1465 UNTS 233,234. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 179
Annex 25 Costa Rica-Nicaragua, Agreement of Understanding
between the Ministries of Tourism of the Republic of
Costa Rica and the Republic of Nicaragua (Roesch
Guzman), Barra del Colorado, 5 June 1994
Source: Copy of the original . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 183 . . . . . . . . . . . .
Annex 26 Costa Rica-Nicaragua, Agreement of Understanding
between the Ministries of Tourism of the Republic of
Costa Rica and the Republic of Nicaragua on the Tourist
Activity in the Border Zone of the San Juan River
(Roesch-Guzman), Barra del Colorado, 5 June 1994
Source: Copy ofthe original. ............................... 187
Annex 27 Army of the Republic of Nicaragua-Ministry of Public
Security of the Republic of Costa Rica, Joint
Communiqué (Cuadra-Castro), La Cruz, 8 September
1995
Source: Copy of the original ................................ 191
Annex 28 Ministry of Defence of Nicaragua- Ministry of
Govemment, Police and Public Security of Costa Rica,
Joint Communiqué (Cuadra-Lizano), Managua, 30 July
1998
Source: Copy of the original . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 195
Annex 29 Costa Rica-Nicaragua, Agreement (Tovar-Caldera),
Alajuela, 26September 2002
Source: 2197 UNTS 78. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .199. . . . . . . . . . . . .
IV Annex 1
Capitulaci6n con Diego Gutiérrez para la conquista de la Provincia de
Cartago, 29 November 1540 (extract)
Source: MM de Peralta, Costa Rica, Nicaragua y Panama en el Siglo XVI.
Su Historia y sus Limites(Madrid: Libreria M. Murillo, 1883), 101-103 TRANSLATION
Royal Ordinance with Diego Gutierrez for the Conquest of the Province
of Cartago, Madrid 29 November 1540
"Fîrstly, 1grant you license and faculty so that by on our behalf and in our name and
that of the Royal Crown of Castille you may conquer and populate the land that
remains for us in said Province of Veragua, inclusive from sea to sea... measured in
the said manner must commence your conquest and population, and end at the Rio
Grande, towards the west of the other part of Cape Camar6n, the coast of said river
towards Honduras remaining under the govemance of the said province of Honduras,
also if in said river there be islands populated orto be populated with Tndians, which
have not been populated and conquered by Spaniards, you can conquer them, and the
navigation and fishing and other uses of the said river shall be common, provided and
insofar as you do not come within fifteen leaguesof the lagoon of Nicaragua, sinee
those fifteen leagues andwith the said lagoon must stay and stays to the govemance
of Nicaragua; but the navigation and fishing that remains with you in said river, and
the said fifteen leagues and the lagoon that remain with Nicaragua shall be
common ... " EN EL SIG.LO XVI
SU HISTORIA Y SUS LiMITES
S&GUH ,1.08 DOCUIUR!'f!OS
:R.ECOGI,DO'1 PUBLICADOS
0011NOTAY S AOLAJlJ.OIOiR rIST6B.IC.Y AS&EOGWICAS
D. MANUE ~ .DE PER.ALTA
CorrespanddüluReales Acodemias Espallola y de la Hisloria,
deIrade llutnu.de Sevilia y de la Gt:ogr:âfiew-ork;
delCrlmde bonor de la A1liwario\Cmllciomd,
Envi:I:X~O
y Mioistro p!enipotenciariodil CŒta-Riç;., etc.
MADRID PARiS
LIBRERfA DE MMURILLO LlBRERfA DEJ1. JrERRER
1•AJailii ,,,Rue de Rc!UICI !03 GOBERNACION DE CARTAGC
'.~~
didones que de yu.so seran contenidas sobre io q<e yo
mandé tcma.r con vos el asyento y·capitulàcion s~guientes.
ocPrimerarne1vos doy licencyfacultad paque por ..
nos y en nuestro nombre et de la Corona reat de Castilla, ..
podais conquiste poblarlatien·a que queda para nos:·,
en la dicprovincide Veragua, incluso dma1 amar,")
que comiençe de donde se acabaren las veinte et cinco le-'\
guas en quadra, de que hemos hecho merced al almirante .:.;
don Luis Colon, hazia el poniente, las quales di1has veyn. ·,;·
te et çinco leguas comiençan desde el Rio yncVe·l;u~
sivec~ntan porun paralelo hastaparteociden ctl~l:::~
la bah!a dÇarabaro,y la:quefaitaren para las d1chas·:
veynte et çinco leguas, de contaradel<'.de ladi·.:.:~
cha bahipor eldichoparalelo, y clondeacabarenlas~~
clichveynte eçincoleguacomiençenotrasveyntee çin,.:~
·co leguas por un·meridiano NorteySotras tantaCO·J
miençen desde el Rio elen, par .dicho merididel ~~
dicho Norte ·syrdonde las clichas veynte eleguas··.,&
se acabaren comiençen otras veynte et çinco, las·:;~ies·
se.han de yr contando por un paralelo hastdonde·.:~
se acabaren las clichas veynte et çinco .leguas:'fue se conM
taren mas adelaute de la bahia· de Çarde manera :._'~:\
que donde se acabaren las clichas veynte et çen·;::~guas
quadra, medidas de la manera que clicha es, ha de comen- ·~}
çar la clicha vuestra conquista y poblaçion, y a':îar en
·etRio Grande hada el Poniente de la otra parte del c.abo :·:.:
de. Camaron, con que la costa del dkho Rio hazia.~ondu-·
ras quede en la gober,nacion de la dicha provincia de Hon
duras, ·e asi mismo si en el dicho Rio hoviere al:unas yslas
pohladas o por poblar de iydno estuvieren conquis!
tadas pob dlespadola, s podeys vos conqu.ist..,
Yque.la navegaciynpesca e otros aprovechamiedel .~t
dichoRio.seacomunes, e asj mismo con tqueano lle-·:~
guei:ilala~ mea icaragcon quincleguas, pq.ua.n• ·1.
,• Annex 2
Real Provision de SS. MM. el Emperador y la Reina dona Juana sobre los
limites de la gobemacion de Cartago, y en particular sobre Jos del
Desaguadero 6 rio de San Juan de Nicaragua, 6 May 1541 (extract)
Source: MM de Peralta, Costa Rica Nicaragua y Panama en el S;glo XVI.
Su Historiay sus Limües (Madrid: Libreria de M. Murillo, 1883), 125-12 7 TRANSLATION
Royal Provision of His Majesty the Emperor and the Queen, Doii.a Juana,
About the Limits of the Governance of Cartago, and in Particular on the
Limits of the Desaguadero or San Juan River of Nicaragua, Talavera, 6
May 1541
"ln the villa of Madrid, on 9th day of the month of April of the year 1541, seen
by the lords of the Council of the Indies of His Majesty the plea in degree of
review presented by Rodrigo de Contreras, Govemor of Nicaragua, and Diego
Gutierrez, Govemor of the Province of Cartago, requested that His Majesty
give letter so that said Diego Gutierrez can enter through the mouth of the
Desaguadero of the North Sea, and populate and distribute on the coast ofboth
sides of said Desaguadero, even if it bas been discovered by said Rodrigo de
Contreras or by the Captains sent, as long as that said Diego Gutierrez does not
enter where, said Rodrigo de Contreras or said Captains have populated or
distributed, and that was really possessed by the encomenderos in all of said
Desaguadero, in both said coasts, because that is how it is established by the
Ordinance that was taken with said Diego Gutierrez, and if aboutit there were
doubts, the hearers shall declare it, and order that said Governors keep and
comply with the aforementioned, under penalty of loosing said Govemances,
and it is so pronounced and mandated in degree of review, and likewise we
mandate that said Diego Gutierrez nor the captains and people that he take now
or in any time, may not enter nor do enter in said lagoon nor within the 15
leagues of the Desaguadero, even if it was not discovered or populated by said
Rodrigo de Contreras; and now, by said Rodrigo de Contreras, it has been
implored that we send our letter and Provision so that what is contained therein,
by said our Council, pronounced in degree of review, be kept and complied
with or as our grace commands, which seen by our said Council, was agreed
that we shaH give this our letter for you, and finding it in good form, thereby
we declare and mandate that you, said Diego Gutierrez, may enter by the mouth
of said Desaguadero of the North Sea and populate and distribute on the coast
of both sides of said Desaguadero, even if it has been discovered by said
Rodrigo de Contreras or by the Captains sent, as long as you do not enter
where, said Rodrigo de Contreras or said Captains have populated or
distributed, and that was really possessed by the encomenderos in ail of said
Desaguadero, in both said coasts, because that is how it is forbidden to you by
said Ordinance that we have taken with you, and if about the aforementioned
there were sorne doubts between the both of you, we mandate that you recur to
our hearers of our Audience and Royal chancellery, that resides in the city of
Panama of the Province of Tierra Firme, to whom we mandate that beard the
parties, declare it, and what is declared and mandatedwe order you said DiegoGutierrez and said Rodrigo de Contreras, that you both be obliged to comply,
and it is also forbidden, defended and mandated to you Diego Gutien·ez that
you, nor your captains or people that you take now or in any time, may not
enter nor do enter in said lagoon, nor within the 15 leagues of the said
Desaguadero, that by your Ordinance is forbidden and banned, even if it were
not discovered or populated by said Rodrigo de Contreras, ali of which is set
forth and declared in this our letter that we mandate to you, said Diego
Gutierrez and said Rodrigo de Contreras, that you keep and comply with, each
of you, with that which corresponds and pertains to comply with, and that you
do not go against the literai meaning and form of it, under penalty of loosing
said Govemances that have been given to you, and more than one hundred
thousand maravedis for our chamber./ Dated in Talavera on 6th days of the
month of May ofthe year 1541." COSTA-RICA
-•.-:1 t" \ 'T'"A ('~"'ï ~1t
•\ .~~ •1 ·~ • ~•. • L 1-,
..''! ._.1.;....;t............- ~ -
EN EL SIGLO XVI
SU HISTORIA Y SUS LiMITES
SliGUII LOS DOeuMEHTOS
AECOGIDOS Y PUBLICADOS
CON NOTAY S AOLAJLA.CIO BNISETOB.ICA Y8GEOGD.ÂFIOAS
POl!.
D. MANUE M~ .DEPERALTA
Correxpc delasi~c~Ata<l.iasbpdg!ay de ln Historia,
de la de Bucnas Lcuus dey de lu SocitGMgdfi de::cw·\'ork;
deComi ~.. honor de la Aoodacioo litcraria Îlnmuu:ional,
Envio.doexttaordin.lorio
yMinimo plcnipotencdiCOI\t c:.l·Ri~::~,
MADRID PARÎS
UBR"ERJADl!:M. MURILLO LlBRRRfA DE j, 1. Jl'ERRER
7, Ale:dll 7r, Rue de Renne.
188.,
.;)~~!~·;>:.
;:,;.:DIEGGUTIER~E YRODRIGO DE CONTRErtA125
.~~~··~
~:~:~·0t·e quita!odas]adubdasqueoodia aven-
,~ru~•· ""
~~·;fr~ .-u~eilgntrdens,o naciese, eb(ena
~;:)1;;~~dsd:chsnuestrOydorese a11nos suplic6
~'~:(~dâse cnimar:eldicho auto, syn embrie lo
1
~i..:-·a ~lgdo,tootIoaulvita por los del dicho
r-::t~ C'neo ylsdtro~que -por vuestra parte y por
:1:, ~l-ihoRoerigode Contrerfuealegado cerca
;-~~J ronn,iaron otro auto del tenor sigulante:/-' En
fii~ iadrd!aiuvcdiaedel mes de abmil qlu~i~
;{:r@a nto.renta_eanos,vistas pcr los se!iores de!
f~;;~ dÔ aiYnsisdeoSû Magestad las suplicaciones
~~~~; deevisdnterpuestas por parte cîedeodrigo
::~:~êo Gotendrrde Nicaragua} y DiGutierrez,
~~::êf ôea~rvicaadeCartago, mandaron ·que se
.t~;~ désumagt5ad,para quedicho Diego Gutierrez
;~~ enr;por1a oca del Desaguadero de la mar del
:'/Norepobfay reparten-·lacodeambaspartes del
~f~l DesauIdro.l! aunque este despor el dicho
ii~~i deContirgo·por los.capitanes que obieren cm
~~-;:..~btL~queol dicho Diego Gutierre. ete~nt
·-~~l dc?oRo~rgedeContrerao los dicCapitanes
:.:J1vpnblado o repare poseyeren .los encomende
·~ )eacensen toda el dicho Desaguadero, ls am~a
::): cota,prqse ansy le fue y esta proveido por la ca..
::pitù.lque se toconel dicho Diego Gutierrez, e que
,sJ'ércdello obdubdaslos oydores IodedareiJ, e man
-:d3que lodichos governadguardee curnplan lo
)usodicho, so pena de pdvaçion dgovèrnaçio··s
neséansy Jo pronunde mandahan en grado de re
Vistéansy mismo mam4mos qel dicDi~g outie-
:·.rnylosapitanysgente que llevare agtiempo eh
alguno,no pueentrar entren en .la1aguna ny
éulaquincleguas del Desagu1daernnoesté pa~
bladnidescubierto pocho Rodrigo de Conteeras; 126 LiàiiTES DE CARTAGO Y NICARAGUA
agora porparte dei dichoRodrigo de Contreras nos ha si,
do sup1icado lmaodasemos darnuestra carta e provisio](
para que lo contenido en el dicho auto, par los de~ich2~
;lllestro Consejo, pronunçiadoen grado de revistatfuese_
guardado e cumplido o coma la nuestra merced fuese, ib:;
quai vista por los dei dicho nuestro cousejo, fue acordado_,:
que debiamos mandar dar esta nuestra carta para vos,~-·
uos tuvimo51o por bien, por la qualdedaramos e manda:.:
mos que vos el dicho Diego Gutierrezpodais entrar po1·.~
la boca de! dicho Desaguadero de la mar del Nortey po~-,:
blar y repartir en la costa de ambas partes del dicho De~;~
saguadero, aun queste'descubiertpor el dicho Rodrigo de:··-~
1
Contreras r por los capitanes •ue obiere enbiado, con t'-!--
to que no entreis en lo quel dicho Rodrjgode Contrerai·.
o los dichos capitanesobieren poblado o repartido, e po:··:~
seyeren los comenderos realmente en toda el dicho De~_.::~
saguadero en ambas laSclichas cotasporque ansy VOS esta,~;
proybido por !a clichaCapitulacionque con· vos manda-.:'~:
mos tomm, e sy cerca de lo susodicho entre vosotros ob}.1
se algunas dudas_.mandamos que ocurrays a los nuestros·;~~
oydores de la nuestra abdiencia y chançilleriaReal,que ,t~
reside en la cibdad de Panama de la provinciade Tierrà·::.;:?
Firme, a 1osquales mandamos que oydas las partes lo de·_.·:~1
daren, e lo queansydeciarasen y mandasen mandamos a, ,--i!}
voseL dicho Diego Gutierrez e a dicho Rodrigo dContre~:-.:
. . ..
ras, que ambes a dos seays obligados a lu cumplir,ansy :J
mismo .proibimos, defendemosy mandamos a vos el dicho i~f~
DiegoGutierrez qÛe vos, ni los capitanes gente que He----·:~
v<m::deago!·a ni en tiempo alguno, .no podayni puedan :~;
tntra1ni entreu en la dicha laguna, ni en las quince 1eg~~~ ·
Lie!dicho Dcsaguadet1 que potla clicha vuestraCapitula--·-\i
cion os esta proibidy vedado aunque no este pob1ado · ·;j
ni dcscubierto por el dkho Rodrigo de Contreras, todo lo ,:
-qualcoma de suso se contiene e declara en esta ntt!=stra •·-' f
~~;{.:_JGO GU.TIERREZ Y RODRIGO DE CONTRERAS12/
t~..t..
:~l~c.'•~r a vnseldiconDiegmGostie r '~dcho
;:~;,Î dt odnreai)qoe guardeys y cumplays, cada uno
·~·tc-l..~--·~·"'.-· - ·e··- ~- -·lco1-··el·t·ell·ar·
\::v:fordela_nonvayaisny .paseypar al~u na.nera,
~··:·: dspn,a1on·deear.1caas governaçwnes que vos
·:-~;~§t'a.t LIinsdo mn·mdiadarsvd_s para la
S\ii~ cemra./reha en Talavera a sd.idelmes de
:<\: d6m.ilYq.iientos e quarentUIaîios/ FRGAR·
;.);(:.Ix,·.Cd·ispalettsùj RefrendadJuAN DE SA
~:~i; FirJa>'fde/dottoVELTRAN. ÜBISPO DE LUGO.
~J., rERjA~,GUtoIrRE VELAZQUEZ.»
·.t.•,,r-..-..
'-:-~.;.;, Annex 3
Titulo de Alcalde Mayor de las Provincias de Nueva Cartago y Costa Rica, en
favor del Licenciado Juan Cavallon.- Limites de estas Provincias, 17 May
1561 (extract)
Source: MM de Peralta, Costa Rica Nicaragua y Panama en el Siglo XVI. Su
Historia ysus Umites (Madrid: Libreria de M. Murillo, 1883), 194-195 TRANSLATION
Title of Alcalde Mayor of the Provinces of Nueva Cartago and Costa
Rica, in favour of Licentiate Juan Cavallon.- Limits of these Provinces.
Santiago de Guatemala, 17 May 1561.
"... Therefore by Provision given at our Audience and Royal chancellery of the
confines, We mandate and appoint to Licentiate Juan de Cavallon, who was our
Alcalde Mayor at the Province of Nicaragua, that he go on to discover and
populate and pacify the naturals of Costa Rica and Nuevo Cartago, and bring
them by doctrine and peace to the knowledge of our Lord and that they
recognize us and give tous the dominion that is owed tous as King and natural
Lord, and now we are informed that said Licenciate Cavallon, moved by the
zealous service to God our Lord and ours, putting into execution the aforesaid,
went to said joumey, taking with him the people that he couId and that entering
in said land, he populated the Ciudad del Castillo de Garcî-Munoz and the Port
of Landecho, which is in the South Sea, from where he has started to bring to
peace many of the Chiefs and naturals of said land, and that from the
aforementioned he bas taken news that further on as far as the boundary of the
city of Nata and ifs jurisdiction, in the Kingdom of Tierra Firme, otheTWise called
Castilla del Oro, and then along this fine to the limits of the Dukedom of Veragua, and
from the Southern Sea to the Northern Sea up to the Desaguadero, this being included
there are many naturals that have not had news of God our Lord... " ~7
,'~
•.
.i_
EN EL SIGLO XVI
SU :HISTORIA Y SUS LIMITES
5KGlJ >1 LOS ,00et1141n<T09
RECOGIOOS Y PUDLICADOS
CON NOTAY S AOLAB.ACIO HNIST6B.IGA YSGlOGlÛFICAS
FOII
Correspoodld~las Re3let AcEs~iloyde:lHistori~,
de la de BuLerna de S.,yde la Socicd:lr.idicN"'York;
del ComiU!!:k honor de la Aooeiacicn litemria int=cion:tl,
Enviadotraotdiaario
y Minutro l'hmipotd~C:O.to ec.l·Ric~,
MADRID <~ PARiS
LlBRERJA DE &f. MURILLO w LlBRERfA DE j. 1. FERRER
7Alcnld ~ 71Ruede Rcm•c:.
t883 ·,.._,;
:..•._t1
.·/:qi
Titulo de Alcalde 1kla dy las1Provincias de·::~J
Nueva Carlago y Costa Rica, en.favor del ~:~
LicenciadoJuag Cavallon.-Limites de estas ~~~
' .1..'
Provincias .·.::;~
''\i.:
•.:
SANT\ O 1>ATr:lA,17 OEf"''Cl151. .·:.~
.1
·Y.; 1
ON PHELII?por lgraci.de DiaRey_deCasti--~
. Ua, de Leon, de Aragon, de las dos Slc·'~îs, de
Jherusalen:Nav~r eaGranadade Tol~d~ o,~~
D···. de Valencia, de Gahcta, de Mayorca, de·-~~1ila,
deCerdena,de C6rdoba, de Cércega, de Murcia, d·_:'jn,
delos Algarbes, de Algeciras, de Gibraltar, de las Isias de ::·:{1
Canarias,de las Indias, Islas e Tdel maOcéme ·a~~ ·-)
no,Condede BarceloSen.orde Vizcaya e de Molina~:1;
Duquede Atenay de Neopatr.ia, Conde de Ruisell-~:1e .
<~,
LiCerdania,MarquésOri~t yane Goçiano, Archidu:;·.j
quede Abstria, Duque de Borgona ede BryMilan,:;,1j
Cor;.ee Flandes, e ds T&.Por quanta por provisjon :
libradaen la nu.Audiencie chandllerRe~ dl. los·:::'J
Confines,Nos encargamysmandamos a el .hcencmdod.
JuandeCavallon, nuesAlcalde mayor que a la saz.1 ..:.:
erenll)rovincia de Nicaragua, que fuese a de·qubrir
epoblare pacificar kos natura.tes de Costa..Rria e nuevo .
Cartago,y traerlos par doctrina yconoscl ·:;mien~
ro nuestro Setlor e que nos reconose diesen ·:·:J
·••
.,;JH,..:
i.f;.'
'::i• - • pODERES DEL LICENCIADO CA. ALLON 195
..~....
~-;~ Iuë-s.n~s ëv~ cmon iRey y oeù.or naturei,
~:t·: om·a.anforraos que dicho Licenciado Cavallon..
t. -lllOVl con zeld·\servi·io de Dio· nuestr· Sen-or y
;•.·,.J.o - ... ·e11ejecucilosusodicho, fulâdicha.
L<;~~~j He·rn:noasia,la gente que pudo haber, y que
b(~-q en a icraterrdpoblô la Cibdad. del Castillo de
~~~;.::'Ga yrelpuM~ridooLzndecho, queen·la mar
~~~(:~d dedS urne hacomenzado a traer depmuches
~_1:~.sca:i'e~elnturales de la dkha tierra, y que de los
l:,;;;·,:,.hatomado notidque adelante ltalosli·m,i-
1f'!;.juù·sù;1:de kt Cibdatl de Natà, del Reino de Tiernz
\':·.Fintla.mada Cast#la dei Oro, laeuilargo hasta
1.''- -
~,:: l·zt:seoDsm:adode Veragzsa: :J'desde delSur
!t..;U1la deJVortkastael DesaguadtJroznclu.szmtJ·.
~-
l_;r,.cantidad de naturales que no han tno~ic dea
~·,-DosnuestroSei1olos quales estan en su gentmdad y
t:tq!Jedebaxo de dicho zelo e par cumplir la que por nos le
(:·· m.adadoeq~eia yra los conquis>:traer de pez
;:: ,poblar e fundar en la clicha üerra e puertos que en eila se
2.::;P.udiesendescubrir, ausi por .la mar de) Sur coma la del
;,·N"orc,ibdades, vilJugar persque la dichterra
~-s.a;aneyen ella aya cdstianos espaiioles que la tengan
;.p~bada.n nuestro nombre, y los dichos naturales puclie-.
1(.,
.;_,'enir adicho conocimiento e.se yntroduzca en elles
i.-'dtrnÜ vauge lica y costumbre àe. paz y jus ticia.,y aca.
.'ando lo suso çlicho, y a ques necesario nomhrat per-
. ·sona que sea nuestro ·alcalde mayor de Ja 1îcha tierra e
, -
-J•t~~ ljarisdicion dhilminaie prove- hagalasco-
:.·.sas que en fuesen :aecesariahazer e proveer, en
i~:; . ub neon pulicfa e conbersion. de lonatuhos
_;··r edi asotras personas que en la dicha tiena ovieren
··.derresieique a voeldichoHcenciadJuan de Cava
:.:,liNosa cometido yque nos servireis de.adefan·
f.,.te vuestras leypersona, subficiencia y fidelidad, que Annex4
United States-Great Britain, Convention Concerning a Ship Canal Connecting
the Atlantic andacifie Oceans (Clayton-Bulwer) Articles I, IV, VI
Washington, D.C., 19 April 1850 (in force 4 July 1850)
Source: 104 CTS 41; 38 BFSP 4 Convention for Facilitàting and Protecting the
Construction of a Ship Canal between the
Atlantic and PacifieOceans etc. between
Great Britain and the United States,
signed.at Washington, 19 April 18 5o
THE text of this, the Clayton-Bulwer Treaty; is taken here from Miller,
TreatiesandotherInternationaAlctsofthe UnitedStatesvol. V, p. 671. The "
Treaty, which was terminated by that of 18 Novemher 1901, isprinted
alsoin ParliamentarPyapers,1850,vol.LVI, p. 37;BritishandForeignState
Papers, vol.XXXVIII, p. 4; Hertslds CommercialTreaûes, vol. VIII,
p. 969; by Martens, NouveauRecueilGénéra lol.XV, p. 187; Malloy,
Treatiesetc.betweethe UnitedStatesandOtherPowers, p. 659,and Martens
et de Cussy,RecueilManuel etPratiquedesTraités ,ol. VI, p. 386. There
isadded to Miller'stexthere, reproduced from BritishandForeignState
Papers,vol. XLII, p. 162, the text of the Declaration respecting British
Honduras made by th'e British plenipotentiary upon the exchange of
ratifications. This is printed alsHertslet'Commercial Treatiesvol. X,
p. 645, and by Martens, NouveauRea1eilGlnéral, vol. XV, p. 192.42 CONSOLIDA TED TREATY SERIES
ENGLISH TEXTS
THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA and HER BniTANNIC MAJEsTY,
being desirous of consolida.ting the relations of amity which so
happily subsist between them, by setting forth and finia Con
vention their views and intentions with referetoeany means of
communication by Ship Canal, whieh may be constructed. between the
Atlantic and Pacifie Oceans, by the way of the River San Juan de
Nica.:r aadgei~er or bothof~e La.keaof Nicaragua or Managua,
to any port or plo.ce on the Pacifie OcTHE,-PRESIDENT OF THE
UNITED .STATEs,has conferredfullpowera on JoHN M. ÜLAYTON,
Secretary of State of the United StatesRERnBR~ANNI MAJEST_Y
onthe Right Hononrable Sir HENRY LYTroN BULWER, a.Member of
Her Ma.jesty's Most Ronourable PrCOlmcil,KnightCommander of
the Most Honourable Order of the Bath, and Envoy Extraordina:ry
and Minister Plenipotentiary of Rer Britannie Majtothe United
States, for the aforesa.id._purpose;.and the said Plenipotentia.:ries having
exehanged their full powers, whieh were found to be in proper form,
have agreed to the following articles.
ARTICLE 1.
The Governments of the United States and Great Britain hereby
declare, that neither the one nor the other will ever obts.in or maintain 43
for itèeH any exclusive control over the said Sbip Canal; agreeing, that
neither willever erect or main tain any fortifications commanding the
sa.me, or in the vicinity thereof, or occupy, or fortify, or colonize, or
assume, or exercise any dominion over Nicaragua, Costa Rica, the
Mosquito Coast, or any part of Central America; nor will either mske
use of any protection which either a:Œordaor may a:Œord,or a.ny alli·
ance which either bas or may have, to or with any State or People for
the purpose of erecting or mainta:ining any auch fortifications, or of
occupying, fortifying, or colonizing Nicaragua, Costa Rica, the
Mosquito Coast or any part of Central America, or of asstnning or
exercising dominion over the same; nor will the United States or Great
Brita.iil takad vantage of any intimacy, or use any alliance,connection
or in:fiuence that either may possess with any State or Government
through whose tenitory the said Canal may pass, for the purpose of
acquiring or holding, directly or indirectJy, for the citizens or subjects
of the one, any rights or advantages inregard tocommerce or naviga
tion through the said Canal, which shall not be offered on the same
terms to the citizens or subjects of the other.
ÂRTICLE Il.
Vessels of the United States or Great Britain, traversing the said
Canal, shall, in case of war between the contracting parties, be
exempted from blockade, detention or capture, by eithe.r of the
belligerants; and this provision shall extendto such a distance from the
two ends of the said Canal, as may hereafter be found expedient to
establish. ~
ARTICLE ill.
In order tosecure the construction of the said Canal, the contracting
parties engage that, ü any such Canal shall be undertaken upon fair
and equitable terms by any parties having the authority of the local
Government or Govel'Dll:l.ents,through whose territory the sarne. may
pass, then the parsons employed in making the said Canal and their
property used, or to be used, for that object, shall be ·protected, from
the commencement of the sa.id Canal to its completion, by the
Governments of the United States and Great Brita.in, from un.just
detention, confiscation, seizure or any violence whatsoever.
ARTicLE IV.
The contrac ting parties will use whatever influence they respectively
exercise, with any State, States or Governments possess:ing,or claim
ing to possess, any jurisdiction or right over the ter:ritorywhich the44 CONSOLIDATED TREATY SERIES
saîd Canal shall traverse, or which sh~l bl near the waters applicable
thereto; in order to induce such States, or Governments, to faeilitate
the construction of the said Canal by every means in their Power:
and furthermore, the United States B.lldGreat Britain agree to use
their good o:ffi.ce, herever or however it may be most expedient, in ,
order to procure the establishment of two free Ports,-one at each
end of the said Canal.
ARTICLE v.
The contracting parties further engage that, when the said Canal
shall have been compJeted, they will protect it from interruption,
seizure or unjust confiscation, and that they will gua.rantee the
neutrality thereof, so that the said Canal may forever be open. and
free, and the capital invested therain, secure. Nevertheless, the
Governments of the United States and Great Britain, in a.ccording
their protection to the construction of the saidCano.l, and guara.ntee
ing its neutrality and security when completed, always understand
that, this protection and guarantee are gra.nted conditionally, and
may be withdrawn by both Governments, or either Govemment, if
both Govern:ments, or either Government, should deem that the
persans, or company, undertaking or managing the same, adopt or
establish such regulations concerning the traHie thereupon, as are
oontrs.ry to the spirit and intention of this Convention,--either by
making unfair discriJ;ninations in favor of the commerce of one of
the contracting parties over the commerce of the other, or by impos
ing oppressive exactions or unreasonabletoUs upon passangers, vessels,
goods, wares, merchandize or other articles. Neither party, however,
shall withdraw the aforesaid protection and guarnntee, without fust
giving six months notice to the other.
ARTICLE VI.
The contracting parties in this Convention engage to invite every
State with which bath or either have friendly intercourse, to entinto
stipulations with them similar to those which they have entered into
with each other; to the end, that ali other States may share in the
honor and advantage of having contributed. to a work of such general
interest and importance as the Canal herein contemplated. And the
contracting parties likewise agree ths.t, each shall enter into Treaty
stipulations with such of the Central American States, as they may
deem advisable, for the purpose of more effectually carrying out the
great design of this Convention, namely,-that of constructing and
maintaining the said Canal as a ship-communication between the 45
two Oceans for the benefit of ma.nkind, on equal terms to ali, and of
protecting the sa.me; and they, also, agree tha.t, the good offices of
either sha.llbe employed, when requested by·the other, in aiding a.nd
assisting the negotiation of sueh Trea.ty stipulations; and, should
any differences arise as toright or property over the terri tory through
which the said Canal sha.ll pass-between the States or Govem
ments of Central Ameriea.,---a.n.dsuch differences should, in any way,
impede or obstruct the execution of the sa.id Canal, the Govemm.ents
of the United States and Great Brita.in will use their good offices to
settle such differences in the manne.r best suited to promote the
interests of the said Canal, and to strengthen the bonds of friendship
and alliance which exist between the contra.cting parties.
ARTICLE VII.
It being desirable tha.t no time should be unnecessa.rily lostin com
mencing and constructing the said Canal, the Governments of the
United States and Great Britain determine to give their support and
encouragement to such persona, or company, as may :fust offe.r to
commence the so.me with the necessary capit&l, the consent of the
local authorities, and on such principles as accord with the spirit and
intention of this Conv,:ention;.and ifany parsons, or company, should
alrea.dy have, with any State through which the proposed Ship
Canal may pass, a contra.ct for the construction of sueh a Canal as
thatspecifie4 in thisConvention,-to the stipulations of which contract
neither of the contra.ctipg parties in this Convention have a.ny just
cause to object,-and the sa.id persona, or company, sha.ll, moreover,
have made preparations and expended time, money and trouble on
the faith of such oontrs.ct, it ishereby agreed, tha.t auch persona, or
company, sha.llhave a priority of claim over eve.ry other persan, per
sona or company, to the protection of the Govemm.ents of the United
States and Great Britain, and be a.lloweda.yea.r, from the date of the
excha.ngeof the ratifications of thisConvention, for concluding their
arrangements, and presenting evidence of sufficient capital subscribed
to a.ccompliah the contemplated undertaking; it being undemtood,
that if, at the expiration of the aforesaid period, such persans, or
company, be not able to commence and carry out the proposed enter
prize, then the Govemm.ents of the United States and Great Brita.in
shall be free to a.ft"ordtheir protectionto any other persona, or com
pany, that shall be prepa.red to commence and prooeed with the
construction of the Canal in question. Annex 5
Treaty of Limits (Caftas-Jmirez)
Managua, 6 July 1857 (unratified)
Source: www, mafut.omlcronol n<sjarz.hm! <~ TRANSLATION
Caftas - Juarez Treaty, Managua, 6 July 1857
Gregorio Juarez and JoséMaria Canas, special Commissioners; the first for the
Supreme Govemment of Nicaragua, and the second for Costa Rica, to enter
into a de.finiteborder treaty whichides both Republics and ends the disputes
that until now have stalled the good understanding that should reign between
them, for their mutual safety and exaltation; having exchanged our respective
powers, which we found to be in good and due form, we have agreed on the
following:
First The Government of Nicaragua, as a sign of gratitude for the Government
of Costa Rica, for its good offices on behalf of the Republic, for the soiid.
determination and great sacrifices made for the cause of national independence,
waives, takes and puts away every right on the District of Guanacaste, which l
is now called the Province of Moracia of the Republic of Costa Rica, to be
understood, held, and acknowledged, from now and forever, as an integral part
of said Republic, under thsov~re jirgdiction of said Govemment.
Second: As that Province ofMoracia is located between the San Juan del Norte
River and the South Sea, both parties agree that the border should be an
imaginary line, drawn from a point in the middle of the Golfo de Salinas de
Bolafi.os in the South Sea, up to a point below Castillo Viejo, that will be
marked two English miles from the outside fortifications of said castle,
downstream of the river, up to the.aforementioned point; and whilst this one is
made, Raudal del Mico, across the river known as Bartola, will be taken as a
natural border marker on that side; and following the margin and the shore of
said river, the same dividing line will follow down, until it reaches Punta de
Castilla.
Third: The demarcation of said points and the imaginary line, will be done by
two Commissioners appointed by each of the parties accompanied by an
engineer; and if there are points that·canserve as natural boundaries, along the
entire fine or in sorne parts, these willeferred to the astronomicallinè, that
eventually must be marked.
Fourth: The extremity of the aforementioned bordering line, in the Salinas
Gulf, will be commonable to both Republics; and each one may use it at their
convemence.
Fifth: The Republicof Costa Rica, as weil as the one of Nicaragua, will have
free use of the waters of the San Juan River, for navigation and transportation
of articles of trade of import and export, observîng customs legislation, andcomplying with the fiscal duties of each Republic, as well as those that will be
taxed over the articles that will be brought in through their respective customs.
Sixth: The Nicaraguans that live in Costa Rica and the Costa Ricans that live
in Nicaragua shall be respectively considered natural citizens of those
countries, with the same rights to purchase and possess empty lots and
privately-owned properties, as weil as for the guarantee of both governments,
conceming the exercise of those rights.
Seventh: The original products and manufactured articles of both republics,
may be mutually imported, free of tax, and will only be subjected to the own
and local municipal taxes, but the import of those articles that have been
monopolized or stagnated by both govemments in their own republics, shall
not be authorized.
Eighth: Both govemments agree that their respective authorities shall mutually
turn over the prisoners for ordinary oftènces from the other country that seek
shelter in their country, with a previous rogatory where ·it is shown a prison
warrant against the offender. They also agree to provide safe asylum to political
emigrants of both republics, and both governments cannot force one another to
extradite the émigré.They must only keep the émigréaway from the border, if
this is requested by his country of origin.
Ninth: Both governments may detach the guard or guards that they may deem
necessary to watch over fiscal duties in the environs of the bordering line
marked in this agreement, although those guards may go into the territory of
the other country, with previous notice and knowledge of that in which
intemment may be deemed necessary.
Tenth: This agreement shall be ratified, and its ratifications shall be exchanged
within the shortest time possible.
In witness thereof, we sign this document in duplicate, in the City of Santiago
de Managua, on the sixth day of July, of the year of the Lord of eighteen
hundred fifty seven.
G.Juarez (signature) JoséM. Canas (signature)C.Ql~ç _d_ _D __ Q _ÇJ6J 1n ne_nlQs.
Hist6ricos
TratadoCafi.as-Juâ.rez
(Managua, 6 de Julio de 1857)
parel Supremo Gobierno el segundo por el de Costa Rica primera
para celebrar un tratado definitive de limytes que dibida ambas Republicas
termine las diferencias que hasta ahora habian retardado la buena
inteligencia que debe reiner entreutya seguridad
encontramos ey debida forma, hemos convenido en lo siguiente:
Primera: El Gobierno de Nicaragua en seilal de gralitud hacia el de Costa
Rica por sus buenos oficios la Republica, por el desidido
empefylos grandes sacrificios que ha hecho por la causa de la
independencia nacional. desiste, quitaderecho al Distrito
de la Republica de Costa Rica paryreconozcantlenda, tengaoracia
desde ahora para siempre coma parte integrante de dicha Republica, bajo
el domysumo imperia de dicho Gobiemo.
SegundoComa dicha Provincia de Moracia se hal!a colocada entre el Rio
San Juan deyel Mar del Sur, convienen ambas partes en que el
Salinas de Bolaflos en el Mar del Sur hasta un punta abajo del Castillee
Viejo que se ados millas inglesas de distancia medidas desde las
fortificaciones exteriores de dichoabajo del Rio, hasta el
expresada ymientras éstese sefiala, se tendrâ camo punto.natural
del limite por aquella parte el Rauda! del Mica trente del Rio llamado
misma linea divisoria por la misma, hasta llegar a Punta de Castille.
TerceraLfijaci6n de diyla linea imaginaria, seran
trazados por dos Comisionados nombrados uno por cada parte
acompariados de unyen el casa de encontrarse en el todo 6 en
preferala linea astron6mica que en ultimo caso debe serialarse.an estos
Cuarto:a estremidad de la predicha linea limitrofe, en el Golfo de
Salinas, sera comun a ambas Republicas; pudiendo cada una, por su !ado, hacer el usa q.e le convenga_
Quinto: La Repûblica de Costa Rica lo mismo que la de Nicaragua,
usaran libremente de las aguas de 1Rio San Juan para la navegaci6n y
transporte de articulas de comercio de importaci6n y exportaciOn,
respetando las leyes de aduana, y satisfaciendo los derechos fiscales de
cada una de dichas Repûbllcas tiene impuestos o imponga en Josubsesivo
sobre los articulas que se introduzcan por sus respectives aduanas.
Sexto: Los nicaragoenses en Costa Rica y los costarricenses en
Nicaragua,seran considerados respectivamente come naturales con los
mismos derechos para la adquisici6nyconservacion de terrenos de
propiedad particularybaldias, asi camo p.a la garantie de ambes gobiernos
en cuanto al uso de dichos derechos.
Septime: los productos y manufacturas naturales de ambas Reûblicas,
pueden introducirse reciprocamente librese toda impuesto fiscal, sugetos
solamente alos de propiosy advitriomunicipa pleo no sera permitida
la introduccion de articules monopolisados o estancados par los dos
Gobiernos en sus respectives Repûblicas.
Octave: Ambes Gobiernos consienten en que sus autoridades respectives
entreguen mutuamente los reos de delitas comunes que da la una
Repûblica se refugienen la cira, previo exhorta en que conste haberse
decretado auto de prision contra ela. E igualmente se comprameten a
dar segura asilea los emigrantes par motivas paliticos de ambas
Repûblicas, sin que se pueda obligarse al una par el atro Gabierna.,
extradician del emigrado, sine salamente a alejarle de la frontera siempre
que esta le sea pedido par el Gobiernoaquien pertenezca.
Noveno: Ambes Gobiernos pueden colocar el resguardo 6 resguardos
que crean convenientes para el cele de los derechos fiscales en Jas
inmediaciones de la linea limftrofe marcada en el presente convenio,
aunque dichos resguardos se internen en el terreno de la otra Repûblica
con previo avisoy conocimiento de aquel en que se esta internacion se
crea necesaria.
Decima: El actual convenio serâ ratificado y sus ratificaciones cambiadas
dentro del mener términoposible.
En fé de Jocual firmamos el presente en dos ejemplares, en la Ciudad de
Santiago de Managua a los seis dias del mes de Julio del aiio del Serier de
mil ochocientos cincuenta y siete.
G. Juarez (rûbrica) JoséM Carias (rûbrica)
AN.C.R, Sec. Adm., Arch, Congreso, Exp. 5199,fls. 5-6 v. ~Transcrite par
Sibaja" Zelaya en" La Anexi6n de Nicoya, Doc. NO.12, pag. 160 -162)
Version internet: Eduardo Manfut P.
Recopi!aci6n Antonio Esgueva
Universidad Centroamèricana
Facultad de Ciencias Juridicas
lnstituto de Historia de NicayCentroamérica
Regresaal sig.loXIX Annex 6
Convention of Peace (Cafias-Martinez)
Rivas, 8 December 1857 (Arts 8, 9 subject to ratification, unratified;
remainder in force on signature)
Source: 49 BFSP 1222 25
BRI1'1SH AND FOREIGN
S TA '1,_E PA-PE R ·s.*
. . ;- .. .~- -
""1858-1~59.
VOL. XL IX."
. .
coMPILED BY THE ·LIBR.A.RI-A.t:Nr iF·.ai·-iÊi.i;·PER.
. - - . . - - ... -
. FOREiGN OFFJOE. .. "-'- ,-...-.
·.·
l:.orib:it
. .
WILLIAM RIDGWAY, 169, PICCADILLY.
1867. 1222 COSTA RIC.A. ANJ?NIO.A.R..A.~UA.
CONVENTION of Peace)bet?.veeCosta.Rica -anNica1·aglta. ·
Sij;neà aRivas, Decirnbe8) 1857. · ......
(Translation.} ...--- .
• TITEPresidentGeneral Don Tomas "1-ia.rtinez,!ls actual Com;:
ma.nder ~fitnearmy ofiteeRepubli cfthe one pnrt, and
of the other part General José Marin. Cniias, and Licentiate Don1J.
Em~ia. nC;tadraMi~terâ Plenipotentiarand ~nvoy Esrlra~
6rdinary of the Republic of Costa Rica.,. with the desire of putting
an end to the misuuderatn:ndinwhich -·bas unfortuuat-ely arise.D."
between Nicara.gunand Costa Rica,which" never ou:gbt exi~t.
be~we two neigbbouringandsiateRepublies,andwhich iismore
than ever iudüpensablto termiu..'l.te under the eircumsofces
tbeir commonindepe~d beigcthrea.tenebr n fresh invasion of
:filibusters who h!!.ve nlreo.dy made their uponsthe· river
San Juau. The Legnt;ion of Costa Rica beingsuffi.Ciently auth.orized,
accordingto the tenor ·thé powera conferreby thn.t :&epublic,
w~i 'ee presèn"ted for e:x:changeand t'be ingo~ and ~ue
formi and theOommnuder-in~ iccai.eign actininreglll·d to
arrangementsfor .peace as in aim.icaseswithout omitt.iÎ:lg to·
mc-ludotheJ•oints wbicitbasbeen considered desirable to embrace
in this Convention, altl;inregard to these, it is to be observed
thnt_theare agJ."eedusub aperatis,and areduly subjectlthe
approbation of the Supreme 'Powers of this :Republic, have a.greed
upon the folloWing arrangement!pea~:
I.Nicar~ shllwagnincome into-pqs~e of sisllnVîejo,
-\vhichfortificathe Legation of Costa· Rica hn.sbêeriwilliDg to
restore from the beginnîobut this ia notoput any obstaciri
.the way sbould Costa-Rien- think Ît necessary, on account of danger
of înva;ion by fi.libusters, to station forces of ber own at the sa.me·
point, on J!uch condition-toanumber, lengtb otiro n~d,the
rest, as may. be agreed be~een the·two-. Governments accord-
. ing tçircumstances. .
il. WllllCostaRica reta.i.nsthe ateam6l'B,sbe shall be a.llowed to
keep at auch part of the river as she may tbink:fi.t, the guard which
is intended to ·serve in them, the total number of which, on board
or ·ashor.e,·shaH not exceed· 30 mThe parsons employed by
Nicaragua shall alsm~ a.ndassiain the care and preservao~on
the saisteo.mers.
··iu. The Government of-Costa RiCa.sh aoldlisposeoftbe
steamerswithou.t giving previous n,otice of the agreement to the
Goyernment of Nicaragua, and hearing ita opinion asiccon~
...-euiencea\Ythea.lienntirnn.occasion; at lvents, Nicaragua
sball bave a rito thepreference in tahnllgor any ·of them on
the snmeconditions. · COST.A.RICA .AND N1C!.AlUGUA. 1223
IV. Solong nsthe ste:quers belong to Costa Rica, her Go'rernment
shall ouly make use of them for commercial pnrposes, and subject
in ali thi_ngs to the police aue~cheq laeYrof Nicar~g tua,
same as~he Yesselsof"tbat Republic wbich trn.de upon the river and
the lake.: ·· -
V. The forces oÏ Nicaragua, onreceiving Castillo Viejo,".shallalso
'receiva.Ù the munitions of war- ànd other goods belonglt.othat
Republic; and the forces of Costa Rica. have a rigbt to ta.ke away
aJl the elements of war and other gooda which may e:rist there, and
belong to tb at country.
VL Qosta Rica shaJl evacuate. the point ofTortuga, as..-hasbeen
m·range4 bythe Legation of that Republic to takepla~ without
delay; and as ber abject in maintaininthe picket at that"·point bas
been to guard provisions and munitions of war intended for the
Costa Rican forceÎ?the castle und-the steamers, so long as she keeps
them, she ia allowed to have her picket at the Virgin to the number
of 10 men. ·
VII. ]?y the present Convention, andin considerationof the
increased expenaes which Costa Rica bas beeu putto in the national
war, ali claims cease on the pa:rt of Nicu.ragto which abe may
consider sbe bas a right, as originating from the disagreements which
~e now put an end to. Casto. Rica, on ber part, in witness of the
good and cordial understanding now establisheù, gives np any.
balance which there is, or might be, in ber favour a.nd aga.i.n.st
Nicaragua, on whatever ground.
VIII. The boundaries between Nicaragua and Costa Rica shn.ll
be those which were eatablished in the last Treaty concluded at
Managua, in July of the present yea.r, between the ColiliD.issioners,
Licenciate D. Gregario Juarez,and General D. JoséMaria Canas,
-or else-.those which have b.een. recogQf..P.:ldo~. Ql~e!...,t!!~.---P.I:.9.P~l'
of the distric·OfNicoya, and withln which the authorities-ôf that
district have always exercised their juriBdictThe Goverrunent
of Costa Rica shall state which of these two demarcations ia a.dopted,
and this is to be incluindthe act of the ratification of the present
Conveu.tio:n.If the second be adopted by tbat Gov-ernmént, and
any diffieulties should occinfixing it from point to point, they
ahall be decided by arbitra.tors, to be appointêd by thG-ovem~
ments, in arder to come to a definitive resoluti..on;·withthe assistance
of the necessa.ry documents. ·
IX. If,from .anunforeseen event, the engagement concern.4Ig
transit,concluded in The United States by the M:inister Plenipo-
. tentiary of Nicara.,aua, D. Antonio José de Irisari, with the Canali
sation Company, should be ineffective for thaRepublic,she ahall
not ent~ ito any other con-tract concerning trlm.SÎt,without fust
talring the opiniçm of the other Governments Cent+ Awerica. P.RU&SIA,&c., AND URUGUAY.
1224
- X. Articles TIIand JX are subject to th~especr titve~
ficati ohnet~es are definitive!y conclnded by Qoth parties .
.. In wimess whereof they sign two copies ~he eame tenor,
which are coLlliteraibyetbe respecth·e Secrets.riés.
· In the city of Ri\•as, Sth December, 1857. .
- (L.S.) TOl\liS MA.RTINEZ.
(L.S.) JOSE MARIA. CANAS.
(L.S.) JOSE EMILIANO QU ADRA.
M.lTIMoJEn.Ez,8ecretaryj.
Jos.a ANTONIO CHAM:ORno&cretar!l.
.:
TREATY of Frièn,ilship, Commerce, and J!tc.wigahet'Wee11-
the States of ·the German Castoms andCoJJUl}BrciaUnion
and the Oriental Republic of the Uru[fliay.-·Signed at
Monte Video, June 23, J856.
[.Ratifications excbangèd at Monte Video, April ::J,1857.]
(Translation.)
Ris Ma.jeatthe King of Prussia, both for himself and ns re
_presenting the Sovereign States and Provinces, aàhto his
system of cnstoms n.nd tn.xa.tlon, nn.mely, the Grand Ducby of
Luxembourg, the Grand Ducal Mecldenburg enclosed territories
(enclaven) Rossow, Netzeband; and Schonberg, the Grand D\tcnl
Oldenburg Princip;ùityf Birkenfeld,. the Duchieof Anl1alt~
Desaau-Oi:itben, and Anhalt-Bernbuthe Principo.litiea of Wal;
d~c nd Pyrmont, the P.rincipality of Lippe, and the Landgrn.ve·
Hessian High Bailiwick of Meissenbeim, as a.lso in tbe-name of
- the ether memberB"the·Ge~l CustoÎL and Comr,nerëiaJ.Union.; .,
namely, the Orown of Bavaria, the Crow-n of Baxony, the Crown
of Hanover;, and the Crown of Wirtembergthe Grand Dncby
of Baden,the Electorateof Hesse, the Grand Duehy of Hesse,
tog.ethe.rwi~he Landgra.ve~ Bail~icioafRomberg; o.ud
the Statesforming the Thuringian Cuatoms and Commercial
Union, namely, the Grand Ducby of Saxony, the Duchiea of
Saxe-Meiningen,Saxe .Altenburg, and Saxe Coburg and Gotha,
the Principalitiof Schwartzburg-Rudolstadand Schwarzburg
Sondershausen, :Reuss of teldennd Reuss of the younger Iine,
the Duchy of Brnnswick, thDucl1y of Oldenburg, thDI,IC_yf:
Nassa.u, and tFr~e Town of Frankfort, on the one sida, nnd
. The President of the Oriental Republic of the Uruguay, on the
other sida, animated with the desire of e:x:tendingand consolidating ·
the f.riendly relations as weil ns those of commerce and nnviga.tion TRATADO DEPAZENTRE COSTARICAYNICARAGUA
El General Presidente,don TomésMartinez,coma actual
encargadadelmandaenjefedefejércitdeNicaraguap,orunaparte,
y los sefioresGeneralesdon JoséMariaCanas y licenc dian~o
Emiliano Quadra, Ministres Plenipotenciarios y Enviados
Extraordinarise la RepublideCostaRicaporotra:conel deseo
depenertérminoa lasdesavenenciasuedesgraciadamentseehan
suscitadoentreCostaRicay Nicaragualas quesi nuncadebieron
existir entre dos Republicasvecinyshermanas,es aun mas
indispensablhacerquedesaparezcanen circunstancien quesu
comunindependencisa. hallaamenazadparunanuevainvasionde
filibuster,ueyahaejecutadosuincursisobreelrioSanJuan.
Hallandosela Legaci6n de Costa Rica competentemente
autorizadsegunel tenorde los Poderesquele hansidaconferidos
porel Gobiernde aquellaRepublic; queparael canjepresenty
seencontraroenbuenaydebidaforma:
Y HACIENDO USOELGeneralPresiente de Nicaragude las
facultadesnaturalde ungeneralen Jefeen campana.Respecta
arreglosde paz, conformea los casasemergentes,sin dejar de
comprenderotrospuntosquese ha consideradinteresanabrazar
ene 1presenteConvenio,bienqueobservandoen cuantoa éstoel
caracterde acordadosub spérati ycon la debidasujeci6na la
aprobaci6delosSupremos Poderesdela Republic, ancelebrado
elsiguiente ·
ARREGLO DE PAZ:
Articule1.
Nicaraguavolverâa entraren posesi6ndel CastilleViejo,cuya
fortificaci6nha estadodispuestaa devolvertela Legaci6nde Costa
Ricadesdesu ingreso;peronoservirade obstâculoparaqueCosta
rica, en caso de creerloconvenientepor peligrosde invasiondefilibusteros,sitûetambiénen el mismopuntafuerzassuyasen el
nOmero,par el tiempo y bajo las demâs estipulacionesque 'con
relaci6naloscasesqueocurran,seacuerden perlosdosGobiernes.
0
Articul2.
MientrasCostaRicatengalosvapores,selepermitirâtenerenel
puntadel rio que creaconveniente la custodiadestinada serviren
elles, cuyonumerototal a bordao en tierra,no podraexcederde
treintahombres.
Losempleadosde Nicaraguacuidarântambién y ayudarana la
custodiayalaconservaci6n dedichosvapores.
Articule3.
ElgobiernodeCostaRicanopodrâenajenarlosvaporessindar
previoconocimientodel contratoal de Nicaragua,y oir su opini6n
sobrelosinconvenienteqsuelaenajenaci6n puedatener.
En toda case, Nicaraguatendrâ derecho de preferenciaa
tomarlostodosoalgunosdeelles,bajoigualdaddecondiciones.
Articule4.
Mientraslosvaporespertenezcan a CostaRica,suGobiernono
podrâhacerdeellessineusesmercantesy , consujeciénentodaalas
leyesdePoliciaydeHacienda deNicaraguad , elarnismamaneraque
lasembarcacioned seestaRepublicaq , uetraficanee~ rioyel lage.
0
Articula5.
Al recibirlas fuerzasde NicaraguaEl CastilleVieje, recibiran
igualmentetodoslosutilesdeguerraydemâsenserespertenecientes
a la Repûblica; losde CostaRicatienenel derechode sacartodos
loselementosde guerra yotrosutilesquealliexisteny pertenecera
aquelpais. 31
0
Articula6.
CostaRicaevacuaré el puntade Tortuga,camotambiénha
estadodispuestala Legaci6ndeaquellaRepublica a queseverifique
sindemora; ycomeelobjetoquehatenidoenmantener unpiqueteen
aquelpuntaha sidael de custodiarvfveresy elementosde guerra,
destinadosa lasfuerzascostarricensesuehanexistidoenElCastille
y losvapores,selepermitetenermientraslosconserveu , npiqueteen
LaVirgen,hastaunnumerodediezhombres.
Articula7.
Por el presenteConvenioy en consideraci6n a los crecidos
gastesqueCostaRicaimpendi6en laguerranacional,cesadeparte
de Nicaraguatoda reclamaci6na que crea tener derecho,coma
originadadelasdesavenenciaa squesepanetérmino costaRica,par
la suya,en testimoniode la buenay cordialinteHgenciaquequeda
establecida,epartedecualquiera créditasquetengao createner a
sufavor ycontraNicaraguah,astaestafecha,parcualesquieratitulos.
Articula8.
Los limitesentre CostaRica y Nicaraguaserénlos que se
establecieroenel ultimoTratadocelebrado enManaguae , njuliodel
corrientearia, entre los serioresComisionadosGeneraldon José
MariaCanasy Licenciado donaGregorioJuérez: 6 bienlos quede
antiguahan sida conocidoscomepropiosdel PartidQde Nicoya y
dentro de los cuales ejercieronconstantementesus actas de
jurisdiccilasautoridadesdelmismoPartido.
El Gobiernode Costa Rica designaracuâl de estas dos
demarcaciones quedaadoptada,debiéndose comprender estaenel
actedelaratificaciénelpresenteConvenio.
Si porel mismoGobiernose adoptasela segunda; y al fijarla
puntaa puntaocurrierenalgunasdificultades,se decidirimpar unarbitramentoqueprecisamente debennombrarlosdosgobierno,a fin
dequesonpresencia delosdocumentes resuelvadefinitivamente. '
0
Articule9.
Si por algûn incidente imprevistoquedare para Nicaragua
insubsistentel compromise contrafdoporel Conveniosobretransita
celebradoen los EstadosUnidos,porel MinistrePlenipotencîariode
esta Republica,don AntonioJoséde lrisarri,~con la Companiade
Canalizaci6n,no podracelebrarningunotroscontratosobretransite,
sinoîranteslaopini6ndelosdemasGobiernos delaAmérica Central.
0 0
Los articules 8. y 9. quedan sujetos a las respectivas
ratificacioney los demas concluidosdefinitivamentepor ambas
partes.
En fe de lo cual, firmamos dos ejemplaresde un tenor,
refrendadosporlos respectivesSecretarios, n la ciudadde Rivas,a
los ocho dias del mes de diciembredel alio del Selior de mil
ochocientoscincuentaysiete.
TomasMartines. JoséMariaCarias.
T.EmilianoQuadra.
MaximeJerez, JoséAntonioChamorro,
Secretario. Secretrio. Annex 7
Costa Rica-Nicaragua, Treaty of Limits (Cafias-Jérez)
San José, 15 April 1858
(a) Original versionin Spanish
Source: Colecciôn de las Leyes, Decretas y Ordenes expedidos par los
Supremos Poderes Legislativo y Ejecutivo de Costa Rica en el aiio de
1858, Tomo XV, (San José:lmprenta de la Paz, 1871),175·_ 188
(b) English translation: Costa Rican version submitted to Cleveland,
Source: P PérezZeledon, Argument on the Question (?f"theValidity of the
Treaty ofLimits bet'rveenCosta Rica and Nicaragua (Washington, D.C.,
Gibson Bros, 1887), Document No. 1, 185
(c) English translation: Nicaraguan version submitted to Cleveland
Source: The Case of Nicaragua, 1887, Appendix B, 34
(d) English translation
Source: 48 BFSP 1049 •D-fr•-
,LEVE,S~-~CRE:O:osE_ES:y
~JP~ pbQloSCVlJ;i'Qp ~~~Os.'
·.·..tE~tS Yh'~1~b~..·Tivo·:
·· ;,i.~j~A~~to~~,
'··.ir.-~B .s8 •.
:...·· -:_::·::/·:~~~;:~5.;:~.
~'~~~~J~:~.~-~..-: '1.,'.4_
-1-
(iVisto con diligeiÙ~corw,pon ydientes
.cor:-_dCe: ManueLeivanatn!de·laRe·
publica de Honreunsls cP.cuustancias q!J.e
pâT.atùraliien Cost..esp~escr J.bee·
nuineîide~5de~ovietn de.852;jqu~:·ootr
tai'mira:1iarehunc. erechos naCiole~es;se
ooncetlcartà:dë: Jn~âfp'yireëd~za
clâren el libre 'udereèh·quelaC~nsti-·
tucion y· Jas.tFiuet·' lo:ciostarléèns·es~~
·Oomuniq uoè~ir-ëui~prpr~a~las ·fittés.
quesd"·oùsign' _loct~r&iiu.:i.·~~~(
su:. eo-nooiy.·ef~cros .~·f.:sT~l.;~:
·Œlvo:. ·
...'....
DÊCRETO·VI.
~ • t
doaY-.~.9~~ièa:6~ ààïo~•t.iNaJci.o~nEi~i.
.. - . . :Ni....
-~'JüaM i)r;trbsielll~ae-~ptbHd'à.âe~
CôstaRica.' · · . · , -·
Con presencla~aïit~ d~dàalioder
Ejecutivo pofra(}19&ârtic7~de la Con_s
tituc ieT"enidoen èecrdecretP: ·
Arl: Se ooiivôc&--éxtrâiJrdl·-irceen
lenti sonm~soNacional_someterS1alto
~6rioc ldelberiéion:un-t·elamayor
lmp?rl ~i~içigaeRdeéop~eilos: . .·.
. Artiw'2!La teu-niHonora-b.R~pte ..e-n
tanteSEériûcaenel.Salde·Se~ ll:.d:~s;·
·ce del dia -delo'dt{Iëor'ries;af:irl~- 1
~en :e lo.M~eIteordiça~-la.sprov-ideu"
Ciaquecorresp~ eneeP~.l-Nca.doo
Jl"enan José.J~t~or;id·el .iAb~Qde
dem.ilhoc~ i~en~tyooc.Jntn>aR~,~.el
M~ra.-$J q~ ~~te~ds·~ero ·~jèh<;>
.•';~. • !a•-q•.•4~rd~o..'!·q ·
-_.....
.•.
DEORET.OVI1..
4P..é~l•b.a_to.4 ~s:d.~~~Ut~QÎ.t~e~
.···tèi"rice~~ -c~'~-.c...;Da·
-
N91d
''JnaRafalor1P'rei ~î1dRpnbcade
Costa-Rica.-Por.êtu1nto elCongres&.isimo
Co~;~,~ ~t{.t~ecltsu-dte.o
~~~ ~ -.' ' .. ,,....
ElExcelenti·ongreso ·Constitucional de· la
Repûblde Costa-Rica, con6iderando: que el Tra--·
tado de l~enite o~ri~~~-sP.( ,tb,li~
Cost!ty1a d-e'Nicaragua, ynrmado.rado
ena,cipde ·SJos-poMiistrplènam~n·t~
auto:rïzados .por los Go·Rep1iblicasaa
men~io cQJamesdi~ c~.,n_S~ C?:sead_c!~:,
•~ ,~~.~•~•'..~• 4~~' •\~.·L&.
"•·-~,,~-..~ ·~ ·..1.lt•• o-·-·~~~
j~st yesitr,eéîh(Ct_1ùl.*~â~.s·~i~.:e_
pi(bli~' ponl'd'i~·étrr'lf~v~n,f~i
~!ues_ tpjo~jleü~'e:siavpio.e-~ ".
.:cretar)t'.· ·· · ·..·: ·. ••· ·
.Artfc··i ·te·irebe·toqs.:p~~ry.~s
artîct~1ra~ d~lim_Jir#to ~ :~ 4t re ··
:;""~"'~.-.-;o~~.,:,•'tt~0l "•0-
·p--
-17tJ-
Costa-RycN-îcatagflrmadenestaciudad el
qu.incedecorrien})orPlenipotenciaut~s
l'iz alef e~ct our-!-~Podr E.c1tivo.
DadoenelSalode Sesiones, en San Joos, â _l_
dirziseisdel fude Abride·mil ocliocientos
cincnenta y. ocho;---EscalantPresidel)
te.-Jua-n Gont.alez, . SecretatJoaquiun uel
Gutierrez,SecretariotantEJEOUTES-E.-Pala
cioNacitmnJ,_José;Abrdi.e ~eimieoih..
t:ientos cincuocho.-JuaRafnel Mora.-El
Minis'tro.Estaden el Despade Relaêiones
:E~t~r Naoaiesoedo," · -
DECRETO viii."
Destina ayotro·lado de là.s ribèras del rio Sa
···. raplina -faja debaldia para agra-
'Cial~ostarieen:pobres.·
-N~ .
~'R Ga.:cfaae,~Vce-Presldeeneejerci~
de Costa-Rica..der Ejec·de luRepûblica
1· Î>esedef~yO A"ls onoeRrta~ pircsenses
C"onced:iédegraciu:ter!encap e m-an
lte":rn.suproductossus famiyicon la mi..
~a rmismo. iem depomovery facilîtarin·
migracion extrangeroel pai.ha_ciénsr~eg
çia de los te1·renos1yamejo;r eituados r.•a
1'e] _comerdecreto: •
A~ "1tS.destina enbas ;ribedelriodé 37
Sarapiqyuen toda su esllls~·--con1lueti'
èiaçelride SaJuan, ufadetierbal~iit·
de 5va: deachodeclicada ësclusâa.:mente
ga.~À-lsiot\Ia';roicrya:uhéaoitantes~·
laho'rd~o'dqi1a;aciquoouierpo~làt·'
jy<}~lt h~iuei~Dtlas'régestablecida8:
éneste'i:eto' . . . ' ,;- . . . - ..
-4~2:'eco:n~·egïJcac'a:.~-p~ üt~~-
éü~ ~~9t>iaeqinèJl:la n6p1OO.àr~;
~~~ad~tC,aad~'fèltë sqe~io~ ~êrten.ii#J;
:f'deforicq-jd'6:eàee;éÎÎun+yôtrfi'
prc;>_ui(ëâ;_dvente~aJ~dea#c} ueo~·
.f'&cïêl àccl'l3el# arènos:a~d io~;
qûëdd~tf dlss:jdicho' ...-. ...>-: _
_ .A-f Gozarael'agralop';lad·one"
hfi·êomêltza:-c.uso·'lla; denttér;/'
rnia:d'saricsontàddedéetf~è:yl ir:..'
·déi~t·beëio·aprpré'd:ëÏe-é)'oo:~~·:q:u:è'
dentr-d:iuc.à. Ïotd~stafubi'~·:è>éjf
~lotengac~ltiviido: .. . · ·· .
,,#t.,El~gr~c iuehayaUen'adolns·c01Tdi:.;:
èiR~~ s1:f~auérloânias'_lgtacis; an%é-~,
d}Q.a~~#~~t•~th-esièd'u:ncuadigŒ· J~
~~,.~t t~l.;i~faeJa'a~e.&tpara"~~,.,.
-s~}l~~ çA~nv<ep:oga~,'- _... : ·.." ....
•"1·-R..$e~;pb: ~~}ea·d'scsu·ae_r:.~f
S:~ ~·Qr~;'dl'fJr·,t~Credntef-nlS·Îe~
re:·,. ::~·:a~·hp'a~cdI'acQ::'a:.la
p!à~ q<t~.r}~~h1oolf.qtte·sè~irta;"él:
,81?.-tendtaadlpl"o'pi.deterreque:·
tep~~{9ulti! C)'dal·qseâ~·stmaiva.:
t4~· l'.i~od,~:orHht·delpi·~,:'.-·J
~·...rvlG· ·-~i) ..,.'(2s)~;-
--·----~----.·1·~ DECR:E-X.
T~~d oll~te~n~.lc~gJuCor;~~~~~a!'
. . ' - ··N°4•
.-
''~a ~E~aJanrV1~·Presi 1~~e~~e·-"qé
bli~~.osta·eljrçaodel Supr"i>ô4er
E.}eèutiv.o. . . - . · ..:··
•f!~~i~ -~doscl~iai·ot.yçfl!~~d
.JP.~~ttorienrl.Repubh·dCO"stia~Riëa
:::P,·~.PdeNkarau~pdlP~pJot~nêJilri"bs
~~t~~i z-i~dtec·aho~idoa~îti,tmdo.:p-~r
.'~ppa~~ycyo tenbrla.ât_in q~ci;~*
--~l~rùe_s~.e~~ades co·~ig..·.-
·:aJu~-a~loPesidente.ltepubel~
.c·ô-stea1AmërieCeut.r~. ·· · ..
. J'~~~ rin_o~_t~e·ù·blo~~~~)~~~J·_yfa
Repii:hli~a .ê"oeéi;:~1~·~sà git;~
·.ciuJquif'deJ'neA·'idJpe8en(oo
·-'mî:dchoc:cincùe·oc,·pomfi'~io~
Plenip0ten.ebi-:uficient·tlcm.ia
:~Q~~:~&rp.~~~s~i--Tde~~.lofi.o'te~
~!1~e~ritr~·y~·-Cor~:ïy.t~e~o~;pli~
·~~~j)~~~~;~D:~?gu:''..-..'..·
. i1\{~im~·Min~eP~z,~ipl?teRciiu·rê:;d:ei.f.G~
·~~ _.d ,~-pit~~e·;Nai~·n~r_sé:,:"-à~~
·CaiJ,\tinistro-daid~ftiieJ)t:fla
·m~p~t: 'Joii~~è.orâéŒ1o.rn~~tt<?'s
~mintede·céle:li·a:deU·:m~·èn'tte
ambas Rep\fblicas, qu·1~s·;a ..ifureb.
-ciasque han r~èj~ymas perfecta inte-
~genoi&I'moqu.~eben.ent·~aspa~
.-. . 11' ··--t~a-·-.
rà:;s\tieguriy etïgran· "d~aeêiimn~ëntq:.
® verifi··ctmjede nùre.stosp-ode~·
re·bàjôexâtq·ue·de."hizo el HçmoÙ\blè
S.:D-~- Peulooégre.inisP-lenipô~~n-~
ciârioGobîéi_1~Republièa del Salvaàor, .
én=~jd -~èrcoheie~·df~itwe~o~~a~do~~
t61!Jl~tàS-Dtlgoeia1n."eoont"'en
btuuyd;bidafod.laùlisman~qii·pot
nùestra·fueron- hb·a.Stso·q~le~_x;;
bibi\\·el:•.:inisdiScutooÏl·a~te:..
li:imient0necpùnto-cü'ni fdnn-ierit~s~·
asiste~-n!Ixdèll-t~J) dF/iSàlvaa~6r.;e·
hemo<."Gilv·eelebl'adô'el sigu:ientè:. ····.
l ~~~·~· ~ ~-~
~._-i~..Jlqep!e,bl~ie:-~RuP;.p:~~~i~
~.,d~,QQ~~~~~;~t·:stérrr:'UO·ël'"~~
·~;· Yp·l~:q\s.oêrup}m.énto··.rti!l
'--~J~P~~~·l~,-aoems'ptidr:ife)·e1~(ciâs'
d;~o· Yll~a..~.Q.daUI.·d.lA~~~·,
·~1:\-~~tf. ac,a~~.gls.e.Œé.Q.n~·er~
~qy,.4~~:p~ee~-~~~~:dPbilait}'·l
. gen.d~rincip~~:P..fv~i~d~o\?à;l'a,
t~_P:aid;ap.,·c:>nn~rfo~ntta.titdlt:~~·
p~gçuqrsr;.p~eliznl~epati3e)o•dda;
R~J.\~ a~~-~~~;:e-~~·- ap"(r9s,~
e:~~~·~:9. 9~s~:~ëJ.~~-enplt..~
p~·O:âeNi~lfl·rg!_frRiino'parlA,
v~~~ i~-p~.·~~u-E~niel~.~~-t~n.m~t~:io
d~:b_t}J.d~.ol.Dher~~a:dijrtue•
p~b, 1~C~Ii~rÔ·l __.mé..·ca··:_
.:.;.:"eiv1si1Rdog-~epûb pmitn.:as;,....---
~ ,
d~~l mar~elorte, oontenzarae~tremitlact;
de ·fu.de QastenladesempoéabJ·de.rid.
de'$a~~a _e:~l-~c yaoia.autn\rCAndose·:
cè)ct#é.rgen:4a d~xpres r;dast'\..u:n·.-·
p~n .~9i~ ~ean~'~teiojo~~~-lila sg1~~k.
med;••1 -dl..•.•r••f•s·t~riod•·d.'.)'(
ê~til hâ~sl{.Dd{ep~nt;D.ealparti-n~~,·
~~c:ura,u'y:entseridi~has, :btist,tnt·~·
d~~ ,re~il ~lagslénsdass-I?toj#èsi~n~~-~~r~~
min&J;en upllnt·qdeberÇ-itar·d·miiJ.!l~·~
de)~(r c,e'ba~ !}r,.sdel(Jastil·n·~:
al~:~~-~ ent4i:rn;ou_ia~;o_,,}e:jo)
siigen e~-a e.o:iC:~:~s~~au;u~qcut~·o~~.
f!uo disiempdo~~illas dmargenderecha;
dlj1-deSan Juacon s·di·cùnvoluëiôneâ:':&:asta.T
s~o·!·'eieiLago;a~lamâ+g d~~nteceFÎi.a
p.rop.Lago,h.asexpresânQ:deSfi:P'w,.t
dq~de:.;t estUneanaiaalld1ehàs·-'rib'èriut?
I/,el~ e.ruepUotoc·oicacil~ttapoâ~1.'
li.u~ -:ich;;ebe'distar diJs milagO/··d·e
R~tJ'aUttfee·&t~·rÔn·l~Ïteap'ùriCê.·
triQ«'aB~ià àeSalinasèl;madel·Sdsn~:.
de:'q:ueerminada là demerijel- territot40'
peltdo.sepublicas eontratahies. · :·· ·. .·.::··
:~AA:&~t\aetlcarâ.n'laa'· cirrtisrfC:.iidièii;·
tes•~~i,t~divoriaen~,· ~o6eo-artp()F
.c~misi deno·oü·ô.S~ie priîlds,~~·;s.~
~s de·-"aepaiiSeïl.iiièùl:enqu'Irayâ.'
ileveri~l ca:lE>sp: épeeàacii~in;i!i:là~b~
tend:lu~c•'d·dd.sViat~·~la..~·~·11r~·
'ra~àedor del·Cas·~e~:_pa ralèJl~i.~t•:-
~~. ...or ~•~g 6o~•4-:..•,••"~'"trd~9~~è~
....~ ~ " ~184- J:•
'"~. ' .• ' .:
-~n troâ: y Sacaso quenell:pueda:n:é·;ti·
-cé.arparà· bulUOjonaturales..: ~.::'
.iArt-4~aBa~îdéSan Juan: del No'c~·,-asi
...a ·Salinseâ~co1:nuâ -basRep'U..i
·~~y,rco~signi srntusvi1ajtts:: yl~j;e,.
:~:MJ~dg:·oiirir·:-.:Te Taebin·~h·ii
'.ç:l}lig:adoc)Or.pa1;que:·Je··é<Ytîf?.spon~
j13Jsm-n·genes:ddHSanJuaü,. qülo8îtJ
~isn:tiétr:t·iot•tadslo'iNièar'~gui,
1reol~hIr•ha-~• f-'•~tp,·1ü1''.•
ê&~èi. a-o} tprblictsu·de.f~~-~a-o
~é~;a _ete_s;yon)-~~t~1n(t~ef!!.i~~1~~~
q~trtüv·éselcanee.:_·-:.~'~-·.. •
t.,..,.. . _ ;,'' .\"'
~t)~·o:e?trastoquèNic~ra otreh~o~é-
rt-;.ple eatdsoss~srioncnlplet~--
4~~sa~ dl f1;è-a\uita Uà~t 1rHae:
fi~(:pb~eesrnete 6orn1gua·pai~a:N1éa.·
rÎ jgoü~t~ m-Rriccanaaonrt:~ri.~t?_,.~{~.:
1~~t8F#o ?io,ûi:~l~_d~_t,eetrac,.o
ytë~! )C_' tlY~al'dt..~~sstiqeula
··. '··trarl'oiértuSan·JuadeNo_rt~
.Hêc· co-~.Ji~sliddr~duco;' ç_~s:~~:,I~ip~:
"'-H'·"r.\·;fugn"\,.rec_d~_s-.~·rt.o
r;•'tte:'è'a. . .. . .. . ''-' --:
-'~--!~.-- - -. ~i._-·<- .
'rt.·Raép~bl1eNica1: agndrxcu·
......~·:~?.·y~Ù~~~~i~~~O.~ ~~:i~?.~:,~~bre
•··.~~~f.~f~ ~nD.s~a~el~da.g~,o,,;.
,·se'~h9ë ad~n'·Atl_~rtr__co;\.~
~~~;$* t_$~y~lt·g~fi·1a~l·~-:)q~;~
··ne_v ~è-.eupsvea~.qde~de-;l·a,
.2:~;!-.,• ' . . -' '
de~emboc aaturas'illas_;inglesas .'
(24)42
-1&5- ';'
ântes de llegur al Castillo \Tiejo, eon ol1jet.oscleco·<{
1nercyasea co.r:1earagna1nte~··+?osta;..:f·
1
Ricapor los rios ùe San Cürlos ô6cual-;}n::i,
.q1Jiera otl'a via pde la parq1fe lari;l
l)ed~lSan Juan se cst:ac-mTes.ponà esfa.
Rf:pùhlicLasen1harcaciode ui1ootropais~~,
podraindistintameute aenlas riberas d1·i~
en lparten que lnavegacion·es c·~icn~·f:
l•ra )rgna clasdeÏlllpne sno8s1queSe·~·
estable%can de acuerdarn)JGobi,erno:--~~
· Art. Q.ueda convenidola1:Uvjsiterrito~)
~·iqaesehace_11est'r1·H ~.utado~~~n-:e!
tendercontrar1anla~qhhgaCJo co~n.sJgn.~~da~;
ya seen tratapoHticosen.eoD,t1Js~.lca.:n~It"';
zasion 6 de transito crp.oadao~~~fN3,c-a!a~,
·guaconantérior ai~lnodcimiey(~:;.)Jeie~~
1
ente~ quenCiosta~ ~~i1canai~u~pllais:.:
Jesenlapa:'que·corres1deasu tetorio~1J~
que e111anealguna se eontra.rie el.eo.~inio
neilyederechos de soberatien~n.e.lÏsi.;.
At·S? Slos contratos de canalizatran?.·6 qe
sito celebrantes dteHeel G·obiernNica~·:··
• ~ "'1\
1·a·gua conocimien'to v~nisoea13eaqu131{.
dar insubsistpor cua]qujm·a ca~ÏC'arngUJ:tr
seconl])l'O·ûnocondùirotlsr)blos.esp~ésnr·r
tlos objesin oantes opinion· del Gode.. no
Costa- àè{e,'.ls·a·i,~o~ ~u,.·1ni~etq~~tÇ~s.
cio puetener pa!osdosEtjse·cqta]ue<~~~a.;._~
opinion se emita dd~t:einta. d_insde<;Ie;r
recibila consulcasg~1 ede~Nie~l n'aanua~'t
fieH-~ erente t~solu yciodn;u\nd ~n)s~e~h
ne.gomo los derechos natundes de C\}sta-.Ru:a,.este
YBto serâ (·oùsult.,·o. -·;··.q -l8t1-
'! ' - !•••• 1.~- . .
' Àrt. 9? Por. ningnn tnotivo;yesta do deso
guerra, ~ue po{~:sg rllcegaâ·.~ncontra.rse
}asH.ebllCade NlCttraguaCosta.Rlcltsera
per1nitido ejereer .ningun acto ·de hospitnliditd entre
de·ellas en el puertJuan·<!Norte, ·ni eàél
rio de e.no~n y Jre:d:N1carngua." ~ :.
;,~r 1.S·eiido lo estip·enel ai·t·ante~
.~;~iserncialimprrat:·:a:debîd~guar dla
]f:l:y_del rio. contra: agresionesq~Iaeeriores
fe.ct{ll.·intereses ..gedel;p:ais, qsuaa
~s~r (n;ulmientobajlaeRpeciagarànt·qué
a JJ;ombre G·.drol"Illediador "esta dispuesto·a
ÔJH·Y.n ~ef.dasu1{inbtrPinipotécario p·t~
b~nt~n-vir,delasfacultade·s qne al iutento de
~hwaest· onei·idporsu·Gobierno.
_ .Art ..1-1. En testhnon_ioycordial inte
l~gen cüeauedae~t~ble ectidas -Repùblicas
(~.Nicar aC.uos.ta~lnicH.in·todo.créd~to
aG~iqvo·entre si_tengan por cualetitulos ·
h~s laa~ignat dlraesente Tratadé.igual-
m~ntpr.scindBn·la!-1Altas Partes conde,tante8,
tod.:~;~cla ._:mnA_cInQ)lz,âqieoeecu..
.siderasen con -der. ...
. . .... - .
..Ai·t.,:l2._·:Essera:Tatdo .issiaétadto~·
c~i_.o~1ea. ,ç_nrIde~iurdat:4diadela··.
signat.ura/~n. ·Se:nfaiagu.·n ~fée lo :
cqaldirp:uimos·eLpre~ 1enuie.del·)or,triplicado
l~~~:rahl eI·Siéniortlaoo; rèfreudii.n;
dQ.los.i·eHpe.f5ecreEar·;laciudade:Sàn··
JC\<§mé.lr,O~$ttd-i:aâ-e_u.~ne~ d·:m1sas:
<lfè·~lit~ ~.,eo'dedmetbla nço~ei:tlds~
cuentaocho.-(F.)~iti. .erzi-mo José~· -187-
Ûaîias.-(:F.P~Jr Uomulo N egrete.--Portanto,. :
hahiendo visto,y·exau ~lpreisdroo 'frata.do, :
prev-ila probaci.odel -_Kxo. Congreso Nacioal !~
y en, virtud de la facultad que me concede la Cons- :
titucionlo~h accptabo,ra,tificayoconfirmad .o,-y~
por las presentes lo acepto, ratifieo y cpro\.t·.,
Inetiendoohservary hacer observar fielmentod( :)~
lo '1ne: en él se contiene, ·sin pequetse c'on. ·
travengnaél:de tnanera a1guna.-Efëde lo cualh.ij:
l1eclJexpeclir las prePentes, firmde mi mano' .~:
selladas con gran sello de la Repub1icarefren~l·
dadas por el !Linis~eoEstado en elDespacho -d:~r
Rela.cionl~xteri enrlesiudt dtSan José âlos~
dieûsei.dia ~l n1esde .LI\.brilruiloohociento·~r
eincuenta ocho·.-(L.S.)-J unnRafael Mora.-El
l\iinistde ..Estnden ·el Despa.cho de U.elaciones
ExterioresNazari..T0ledo."-Y por enanto se han
canjeado rlehida1nente las respectl'cttificaciones.!
en·la ciudad Rivas de 1-~icar eavegniaeis dèl'
espresado IncleA hrilde] presentafiode nilo- •
choeientoscincueutay oeho;-Por tanto:-I-Iagase' ·.
Jn'iblicdicho Tratado de limites territoy tén-'·
gase por ohl1gatorio paraH.epûhlica deCosta-Ri-···
ca, sus ciuclada!1habitantesen todas sus parte·~
articl}los y clâusulobservandosey cumpliéndose
fiel exactamen etos~értninosque espre8an·nues;.t'J
trasletrasde ratificaciou.-Dadfirn1ado.de ,ma•.:~1
no, h?jo el sedeola Repûblicay refrendado por:el;
ltiinistde Estado en elDesdacho de Gohernaci..Qn,ll
eq; ~~atl~.G iconal. enSanJosé, alos..di.ezdias·b
delmes de lHayo .de mil. ocnocientos cincuenta. y:,o.;·l.
cho.~ S(.-~R.fa.el G. -Escalante\-EMini~trG~!) -).~8-
1~-~, e~~~~p~?~:dGo ~e!, ·"aaqi;un~~.
~'•••r~•o. . .... ,. .. '•,.
r·~~:': j
·. DECRETXI. . .
• : ; a.\..:.. •..• •~~'·••
-~~~~pJi~lJ.~~~:;~va:p_eqa_ci.:~.n;d_~
. blàriictùopar;tec_~cijQrto -
.1~.·· :~·'..justi·R~:-; ·.·.r._i que·
~:~-••'.:~t .·. •• .~J•·~N•o·.;.:.
·~••'~:··.!!~ ·~•.;,:4•~.1•r· ~.:'
.-~~.:R~f,.~lViace<~P:.r;a~id-P~fû~.
b.1 ~g.o~~~.--eJeÎrcia;i~li:iPfd.~~~Q~
J;j_E;:.~.igg~ .,• .••. ·•
.,! . ' ~•-•....+!- •t..
Habiéndsûsc!dua~!ebr·la···verètdera
inteligencia de.·,,~~8t~~ecu6J.'e
go geil10'ldêi~11a:~c~o24dtt~~e
Jn~9tS9.i.~.~J:~~~,:~J:f'l~~2::d.!~~i~
Oetu'aailBDO;:Ili p~etnlisc. l~lsltalbJ
dt~laquelleY:~~ .amtCseveren 1as
pr~Se..Ï~!OU~s:~tin·bler~r-a9~.e?
loiD~~ -d ~~ -'~perrà,n'll<i~dn:~s"~_!l_i\~
relâèio vDTe,a;_:cé;ri.aéirei '~}·-~el:'~fibi;ê·~;
no de UP.I!L_.r Îigltrtrp~iÎJ~~piPJ;·l.
si'b itPiWtn~)è,~~~r~b ;d~·~tH.e~~b:t~flj!J
1aouJ'~'!na,"·.rt.!....:. . .' .'' '· ..
·A I:;:î~t· '~ppètê\i~r(f-:~~:.~]fIâ:
af~ .f~ ~5~---a~-d-:i,~_.~pJp11·è!.a~
bl~soJalli.W~.t~·~ '/\~,~-·~ ·• .;l~fiîu.ciona'tiei~
ni~'ty~ .~.J:Ss~~~'h-e;.~~ëc~~st·-~;:
.Kl~l !.isèMoiih'ôid\r:-n·~_'1.,._
·· ..~..;r!-·-l-.-:.:·:n!:·:·r:.· ARGUMENT
ON THE QUESTION OF THE V.ALIDITY OF
THE T.REATY OF LIMITS BETWEEN
COSTA RICA AND NICARAGUA
OTHER SUPPLEMENTA PORYNTCSONNECT- EDITHIT,
BUBMITTED 'l'HB
Arbitr· oftioPnresid oetbtUniS tetatoes merica,
FILED ON BEHALF OF THE GOVEBNMENT OF COSTA BIOA
.BY
PEDRO PEREZ ZELEDON,'
ITENvoY E:r.TBAoRDtNMmm'l'PLENIPOTENTLUIY
IN'l'lUI UNITBD ST'TEIJ. .
(T~NSL.&IO ENaLIBJ. RoDBIGtntz,)
._.....~~--
WASBlNGTON:
OmsoN B1t0s., PRINTBll& .um BomuntmE.BS,
1887. DOCUMENTS.
No.l.
Preaty of "Lim?"tshetween Costa Rica anNicŒragua ,on~
cludeà .Apri15tli, 1858.
We, Maxima Jerez, Minister Plenipotentiof the Gov
ernment of the Republic of Nicaragua., and José Maria
Ca.iias, MinistePlenipoten ofite.Gryvernment of tl1e
Republic of CostaRica, having been entrustecl by out· l:e
spective Oovernmentsw~ththe mission of acljusting a treaty
of limits between the two Republicswl~i bould put an
end to all the düferences which have obstructed. the perfect
understo.nding abarmon.y thatmustprevail am.onthem for
theil- safety aud prosperity, and having excou1respec
tive powers, which wet·eexaminecl by HSenor Don Pedro
R. Negrete,Minis~ PeeripotentiBJ:y of the Gove1-nment of
the Republic of Salvador, exercising the functions of fl·ater
nal mediator in thase nagotia.tiowho iound them to be·
good and in due form, as we onOUl part a.lso found good.
and in due form the powers exhibibed by th.e aaid Ministet·, ·
n.ftehaving discussed with the neceasary delibe1·ation aU
the points in. question, 'vith the assistance of the represent
ative of Salvadorwho was present, have agreed to and ad
jnsted the following T1·eatyof Limita between Nicaragua a.u.cl
Costa.Rica.
ABTIOLE I.
The Republic of Nicaragua and the Rep1,1blicof Costa Rioa·
declare in the most solemn and exprt~fm tsat iffor one
moment they were about to enter. into a struggle fo1·l'eason
of lhnits and fothei'wbich eacb one otl1ebigh contract-\
\.--
186
ing parties considerecl to be legal and a matter of hoon.,.tiw
aftet· h.avit1g giveach oth.errepeated p1·oofs 0f good
clerstandjng, peaceful principles,and true iraternity,
ru·ewillingto bincltbeJUselves, as theform.allydo, to
Uw.t the pe~t happily re-establisbedshould be each-:.
mm·e and more affirmed betweetl the Governm.ent and the
people of hotb n.ations, not only fmthe good and ··
of Nicarr ~n.lC osta l=tica, bub for the happiness a:nd.·
p1:osper.ilwhich, to a certain e:xtent, our sisters, the other.
CentrrtlAmerican Republics, will derivefrom it.
An~r.1 IO.LE
r.rhe dividinH11e betwee.n the two Repu blies, startfroîrl..
the Northetn Sea, shall begin at the end of Punta de Cas;.
tilla. at the mouth of the San Juantde Nicaragua river, aud
shalll'tmnlo1lg~h eight bank ·Othe sa.i.driver np to a poiliÇ
three Engl:ish miles distant from Castillo Vi1jo sadista.nÇ~'
to be mea.snrecl betweeu the exte1·iwot·ksof sa.id castle aiid ·
' . ...
the a.bove-uamecl point. From. here, ancl taking.the sai~.~
works as centre 1 curve slutU be clrawn along sa1dwork~ . ~-
lceepingat the distance of three English miles from the~ .,·.
in its whole lengt1 uutil reachiug auotl1er point, :which sJ~·iji..
be atthe clist11nCo:f twomiles fi·omthe bank of theJ:ive6~ ..·
tl}e othesicleof the castle. F.rom here the line shaH con,;;,·
tiun.eÜl the direction o.f th.e Sa1river;wbich empties int6:
the Lalce o.Nictttagua, and isball foUow itscour seepng.
nlways ~1the d.istance of two miles from the right bank 4f:.
tl1San J1:t.nriverall along i,twindinga, np to 1~each itn.g·
01.·jgn the'Jalri aud..from tbere ttlong the 1·ightshoreof · .
the sa.icllalce unlii1reacbing thSapoa river, where thelin .,
paral1elto the bank a.nclshore wi11 te1·minate. From the'·'·
point in which the said liue shaH coincide with the Sapoé..,
Tiver-a pointw hich, accorcling to the abodescriptionJnust
hH.two milesdistant fronthe lake-an ast1·onomicshaig1lt lina: ··
shall bechawu to thecen.tralpoint of theSali.na..Bayin the ,,,
Sonthern Sea, whe~ t·eeli:nmarking ~he boundary between ~J
the li\vocontl'a.otiRepublics shaH end. ;j
--"' 49
\
m:.·
.; 187
-.
1' ARTICLEIII.
\\
_, Such sm·veys as may be required to locate tlùs bouucla.ry,
r;:~vh ntwhoe or in pa.rt, shallbyCommissionel'S
_;J!-PPointeclby. the two Govand the two Govexu
f~ine htslagree also .ns to th.e time when the said survey
~J3s bemacle.lSe.icl Commissishall liave powe1·
( ·tosomewhat cleviate from the curve arouncl the· castle, fl'om
:-:•theline pa1·nllel to the banks of the ri01:·and the lalre,
ffrom theastronomst1·aight line beSapo4 and Sa.-
&,linas,if·fincltuatura11and-mat·ks can be aubstitute!l
.~th advantage.
l·· -
~ ~. .: · AnTIOiIV. ·
'
~:' The Bay of San Juan· del Norte, as well. as the Salinas
1-::BashaH be cornmon to botb Repub1ics, anl)othe1·efore,
~.: ~dvhntages of their use and.the obcm1.~·ribute
:-:to then· defence shall also Costa R1ca slutll be
l: :;bo.unfar usthe port-ion of thofbthe SaJuar.1
:;·:iver which _correspond. ta it is cotlcer.ned, to _cont.ribute to
;::7tscustody m the sam.e way as the two Repubhcs shall con-
':.:~ ttredefnceeof tt·~ iveae o:fexteraggl ·e~-
t
.1sion ; and. this they ahall dth~effi.ciency within
::.their reach.
AR'l'IOv.
. As long as Nicaraguauotl'ecovet•the .full possession
·of üll he1·tightspar ofSan .Juan del Norte, the use
· ancl possession ofde Castilla shall be com.mo'u.and
~-eq-a'both .for.Nicaragua and Costa Rica; and in the mean
,;: time, and as long as this commuuity lasts, tl;e boundary shall
., be the whole course of the ColItisfurthermo:re
~stipulatthat, us long as theport.oSan ;rmtdel
NoTte remaia.frepm·t,Costa Rica shu.U riot chm:ge Nic
al·o.guaany cust.om dut.ieclCastilla ..· 188
ÂRTIOLBVI.
The Repub1ic of NicLtragua.shall bave excthe,d,~:.
DllllÎalldSOV61'6ÎjurisdictOV61the waterOftheS~ah
Juan1-ive1' h·om its origin in the Lamouthiin·thé
Atlantic ; but the Bepublic of Costa Rica sbap~~~~ve the
petualrigbtof i1·eenavigation on the said waters, betweé~'
the said mouth ancl the poin.t; three English miles dist~U:t
from Castille Viejo, snicl navigatiforthepurp~~~~;
of coirunereither with "Nicaraorwi.th thinte1 0·~ior:i:
Costa Rica, tlu·ough the San Carlos .river, the Saa·apiqu.i,,'iié
a.uy other way proceedfrom theportioof thebank~of.:
the .San,Jmul livet·, which is hereby declared~p.;!elong
Clo HsiteThe~vessels o.f both counsha.lltav"t4~l
power to land .iudiscrirn011eithet• aide of the river, o.b:.j
the portion thet·eof where the navigation is comm.on; and·n'oJ
clmrgeso.iLHkind, or dntiea, s11allbe coUectwh~it;as
levied by mntual consent of both Governments. :~c.J
:- ~
AR'l'IOVII. ':1
Itis3;;,rFhat the territdivisiomade by thtre~ijd
cannat be understooas impairing in awaythe obligf.!f;,:~
tious contra.cted..whether in public treaties or in contracts·of:l
canalizatio.Jl.blic transby the Governmentof Niç;:."l
aragtut p1·evious to the conclusion of the treae1ty~_;
on the contraritis tmdex·stood tbat Costa assum~~
tlwse obligati~tssr as the l)OI:tionwhich conesponds td·
its tenüory if? conce1·ned, without injury to thejeminent d(h·
mainfLllsovereign 1··whicithas over thsa.me.. .":: :]
AnTIOLEVIII.
1;
Ifthe contracta of canaJizatiou or transi.t entered ..into b~··
the Gmremm.eu.tof Nicru:p1~ea o tsbeinsinformeP,",
of theconclnsion of this treaty should. happèn t-~be inva.li:.
cla.tecl1.y.reasou whatever, Nicaragua ibindsn9t:rself
.J 189
enter into any other arrangement for the a:foresaid pnr
without first hearing the opinion of the Govm·nment
Costa. Rica as to the clisaclvantages which the transaction
_...."" ocasion the two countries ; provided that the aaid
. is renderedwitbin the period oi SO cla.ysafter the
...~.~tof the communication asking fo1·it, if Nicantgua.
. ould have sa.id that the decision was lugent·; a:nd,if the
.pransaction does not injure the natural 1·iOostoRica,
vo~ eskedfo1shall be only ·advi!:]ory.
All'rrorIX.
Under n.o ciroumsta.nces,.and even in case that the Repuh
-Iicsof Costa Rica. and Nicaragua shoulclunhappily iind then1-
..selves in a state of wa.r,neithe1· of them shaH be allowecl to
.commit any act of hostility against the other, whethe1:in the
port of San Juan del Norte, or in the San Jùan 1,r Lheo
..Lake of Nicaragua.
ARTICLE X.
The stipulation of the foregoing article bess~ntially
·. important for the pt·opèr custod.y of bath the port and the
·river against foreign aggression, which wotlld, aft'ectthe gen
eral interests of the country. the strict performance thereof
is leftclet·the spfJcguaran ~ ieh, in the name of the
mecliator Gove1·nment, its Minister P}enipotentia1·y he;t·ein
.,·pl'esent is .ready to give, and does hereby give, in use of the
faculties vested in him for that pm·pose by his Govemment.
ARTIOLE Xl.
I:h testimony of the good and cordial understancling wlrlch
is established between the RepublicNica.t· audgCuo.sta
. Rica, they mutually give up all claims against :each otl1er, on
whatevet·gl'Ounthey may be foundec1, up to the date of the
. pt:esetreaty ; and in the sawaythe twocontracting par- 190
ties do hereby waanclaims for inclemnificatda.rna.g~
wl1ti hey ~migh.t consider tbernselves entitlecl to pres~~~J
agamst eacb othe1:. . .{~
Att'rJOJXII. ~\'-.11
1 .,~~·-~1
'his treatshaH be ratified, and·x·atificathere(;f:
sbaU be ex:cho.natSantiagde Managua w:ithfortdttjfs;~
anet• itsignecl. "'.
. ..
In testimonwhereof W6 have her611UtOsubscribOlfV:'l
names t~t.e preseuins.tr~ eueuten n,triplicatt.9.~.:
get;her w1th the H~l1mst oerSalvador, and un.th~.
couute1·signthe .respective secretarLegation, at tli~:.J
cit.o·fSan José,Costa Ricaon the 16t11daofAprili,ij
the)'Btof our Lorc11858. ~,,;
MA.XIMO J.EREZ.
JOSÉ M. CANAS.
PEDRO BÔMULO NEGRETE.
MANUEL RIVAS,
8ec7'etury;tl Legation oNïcm·agwz.
SAIJ ADOI-tGONZALEZ,
Ser:retmof'tluJLegation of C·Rica..
FLOitEN'l INO SOUZA,
Sem•etctqf tAeLegat·iof SalvcuZof.
AnDI.'I'W Am •u.
The unclersigueMinisterof Nicaraguand Costa Rica~;
w:i ~n1i~give. bii.e teso.nof teh higbesteem nnd o( .;
the1xfee1mgs ogratttuctowarcla the HepuofwSalvador, ·i
aucl thworthyrep1.·esentntofthe same, CoDon Peclro1
R. Nebrretbave agreetbat thetreaty of tertitorial limits· ·:
be accompaniedwith tlfol lecaraioh,n:~ ~mg . ·!y:
<''Vhereas, the Governmeut of Salvadobl'lventtb,1~
Governments of CosRü= a1~clicaragua tlle mauthen .t~o
testim.ony of its noble feelings, Jlighapp1·eciat·.!p
of the val!lncluecesait)lcultiva.lfra:ternal sympaJhJ( 191
~!).D tlesn gepu blies,, abas interesteitselfa.s.effi.cien~ly
·~ ~tiendlin theequitable settlement othedifferencew]Jich
l.unhappily have existecl between the high contracting pat:ties,
':a sett.lement which has been secureby the ·two Legations,
··owingin great part the estimableand effic cti~nto.fthe
~~on S.enor Negrete, Minister Plenipotentia1·y othe said
{Government, who proved to be t11el'ight persanto accom
:plish the generons mediation for which he was 11:ppointecl,
(and who has lmo\vu perfectly well how to meet the inten
;Üons of his Government, and owing also to the impm·tant
aicl, to the leal'lling ana to the imparti.o.l Sllggesti.ons of the
isame Minister chrringthe discussion ofthe subject, we, tl1e
'Representativeso·f CostaRica ancl Nicaragua, in thenam.e
of our respectivcountries, do hereby fulfU the pleasant cluty
of declal'ing and recorcling here all the gratitwhic:.w~
f.eel:for tpatriotismlhigh mindedt1ess, fraternity,. ailcl be
n.evolence clutracterizthe Govern.ment qf Salvador. .
In testimony wbe1·eof we have hei·eunto subscribt"ld our
no.mes nl,lsignecl thisin triplicatain the presence of the
Hon. Ministerof Salvad un~e, the countersign of the re
spectiveSecretttries of Legatioin the.cityof San José,the
capita:of Costa Rica, on the 15th clay of Apriii the year
of om· Lorcl 1858.
M.Â.XIMO JEB.EZ.
JOS.É M. CANAS.
MANUEL RfVAS,
Sec1·eta7oyfltite.Legatiqnof Niea?Ytgua.
SALVADOR GO~ZAJ.JEZ,
Sec-reta?yof the Legapoof OostaR·ica. ·~·-·--------
l~of~l
THE CAS.E ·\.... .1UtU)!
01'" THE
REPUBL O FCICARMm1
SUIIi\fi1'TED TO HIS ExCELLENCY
·HoN,GROVER CLEVELAND,
PreiidotheUm"Jitates,
ARBITRA TOR,
UNDERTHE TREATYOF GUATEi\·lALA OF
DECEM.BER24th, I886:
WA.>;HInC.ON,
1HH7. 84
at~[anag onaan José de Costa Rica on3othof
Jnnenext,_or soonepossible..
[ntestimony which,the plenipotentiaand the
tniuister foreigaffah:soGantemalahavesigned
and sealed withe1private.s1a1the city of Gttate
tna1athi24thday of Decembr886.
]. ANTONIOROMAN.
ASCENSION EsQ.UIVF.J...
FERNANDO CRUZ,
APPEND.IX. "B."
Bnumfa1:Trtaty t{18j8 hctwccuCostaflllrlz
~Vi.caragua.
SANJosÉ,April IJ, t8;S.
l, :\·[aJ.rerministeplenipotentiary of the Gov-
en~ne ~nhteou_!fof ~icar andl,J-sMaa,riaJ~
Canastm~ts ptlerntpo~o entlaGoyvernnte~t-of
the Repnbhc of Costa Rtca, cotnm1byour con-
stitueuts to forma.boundaryfoboth Rep(tblics,
which mav put an end to the differences whiéb have
retardedtlÎebeandmore perfennders~ aidÎding
harmonywhichshould prevabetweethem, for thei!
common secttriaud aggraudizement;haviugex..
chaugeour respective pm1ers athe examination
madeofthem bv the honorabSeiioDon Pedro. R.
.Negrete,ministerpleuipoteoftheGovernment of
the Repnblicof Salvador, in the exercise of his powers
asbrotbedmediator iu these negotiations,. who found
them good and in due fonu; as in.like manner were
f<?mbyusthoseexhibitby thesaid minister; having
d1~cu tss~eedectivpointwith due_deliberation
wtth the a1d and assistance of the representative of
Salva 1~,erhave agreed upon and drawnp the
following:
.Bmtmiai'1·cahd·wctZVù:arag·attd CostaRù:a.
ARt'ICLI.:
TheRepublicofNicarag\andtheRepublic Co~ta
Rica dechireiu the mostdecided and solemn tenns that
jffoa momenttheywereabout tpreparto figeach
. - 0t11er011accon nt of bonndary controversies and torrea
S~J whUci each one of the high contracting parties con.
stdered lawful_and honorable, they .now, after repeated
proofs of good nnderstanding, pacifie principles,. and
true c0nfraten1Îty, desire and fonnally pledge them
~elv eosendeavor that peace, happily re~established,
111ayeach year be 1nore and. more consolidated between
the two Govennneuts and between the· two nations, not
only for thebenefit and welfare ofNicar~ onuaCosta
Rica, bnt forthe happiness and. prosperity which in a
certain sense redonnd to theadvantage of the other, our
sisterRepu blies of Central America
ARTICLE It 1
'rhe dividing line "f?etWeethe two Republic:s,beg-in
ning at the North Sea (Caribbean Sea,) shall start at
the extrenlÏty of Pnnta de Castilla; at the tnouth of
river San Juan de Nicaragua, and shall. run along its
right bank to a point 3 English mi1es distant from Cas
tillaViejo, measttred from the outside fortifications of
said Castillodown to that point. Thence in a curve of
3 English miles distanct-, whereof the fortifications
fonn the cet1ter to a point ~bav e astill2 tniles dis
tant from the river's bank; thence following towards
the river Sapoa tllat flows into Lake Nicaragua, running
a line always 2 tuilesdistant fr01n the .right bank of
river San Juan with its windiugs toits originfrom the
lake and from tl1 r~ght bank of the lake to said river
Sapoa, striking it paral1el with the lakeshore. From
that pointwhere river Sapoa is n1et, distant as afore
said 2 miles frou1the lake, a straigbtastronotniealline
shall be drawn to the central point of Salinas Bay on
the South Sea (Pacifie Ocean}, where the demarkation
of the territorieof the two contracting Republics shall
end.
ARTICL!t Ill.
Measurem.ents corresponding to this divid~ lni~~e
sha11 be 1Uacle,in whole or in part, by commtsstoners
of the two Guvernments, these beîug agreed for fixing
the tinte necessary for the operation. Tl~ aid cmn
ntissioners shull have the power to deviate sotnewhat
front the curve aron nd Cas tilli from the litlepara11el 36
wîth the shores the river and the lake, fro thn~
strai.gastronomicallin.between ~ap? and Sahnas,
in case that they can agrnpon tlus, m arder to fiud
naturallandmarks.
ARTICI:EIV.
The Bay ofSan Juan del Norte, awe~ as that of
Salinas. shaH be conunon both Repubhcs, and cou
sequenÙy so shallbetheir advantagesand the obl~ga
tiou tttnite itheirdefense. CostaRica. shaH hke
wise be bonnd for the portion belongiug ta her on the.
shores ofhe riverSan Juan on the same tenns that
Nicarao-uis bv treaties to unite in guarding it, in the
satne1~an tnattre two Repnblics shaHunitein its
defense in case of attack from w1thontheyshaH do
so withan the efficacy in their power.
ARTICLE V.
Dttring the time that Nicaragua may not recover full
possession of all rightin tl1e port of San Judel
Norte, the Puntade CastiJla sl.lall be nsed pos..
sessed enrely in.commotby Nicaragua and CostaRi~a
alike1the whole passage of the Colorado River being
designated asitbonndary, so loug as this comutnnity
of use a11dpossessiolasts.It is further .agreed tha.t
so l~n as thesai p~rtef San Juan may .exi~lassified
as jre1~Costa Rtcashall not collect fromN1caragna
port dues at Punta de.CastiUa.
. ARTICLE VI.
The Republic of Nicar~o shaail1aveexclosive do..
minion aud supreme control of the waters of the river
San Juan fromitsoutlet front the lake rmitetupties
iuto the Atlantic; but the RepnbliCosta Rica shall
have. perpetuai rights,the said waters; free navi
gation from. the river's month to three Englmiles
below CastiUo Viejo for the pnrposesof commerce,.
whether witb Nicaragua or the interior of Costa Rica,
by way of.tl~reive Sra~1Carlosor Sarapiqui or any
etherronte proceedtug fromthe tracon the..shores of
San Jn~ nbat may beestablished as belouginto this
Repubhc. The vessels of bath countriesmay indis~
crimiuately approach the shores (atraca.r) of the· riverwhcn: !lu.· uadg-atis c.·ouulohoth,withoutthe
<"Ic:etHIo( illcla ~SiIll punJesSO established
h~·tJwtwu (~uve:uenlu.
Ali'L'IlVII.o;
It .agn· chl t~l1eritorial division mathi~y
tn: y:~htal11no '!1sbenn~erst asconnteractiug
tJbla~- s.bct e.lms,. whether ·tmdpolitical
tn•al oruulsr coutracf~,rcanal(canah~a oritm)
trnus1m;ulc:nthe part of Ntcaragua before thts present
agrc::cut;1tshall rathe understooatCosta Rica
assumc.•!-itobligatiointhe tra(partebelonging
tu hcttc:~r rihtutrirany way interferingthéth
t·mint•ul domain and sow:reigu right"i held by her over
thtsaute..
AR.TlCI.VIH.
If the contracts for a caua.l or for transit made before
Nicuagua's kn.owledgof thiagreement shonlbe.
come incapable of duratithroughwhatevecamie,
Nicaragua binds herself not to conchtde any other for
tbe saiobjectwithoutfirst hnving the opinion of the
Govermne11tf Costa Riiuregard to the disadvantages
th.at the nçJ...rm_ightpo.~s fert~·teo c_ou~t·
tn~ provtded that thts opnuon be dehvcred w1tlun
thirty claysafter the re-ceptionof theIn caseai.
Sicar:tgna shunstattite propositionurgenand
the nalural rights of Cm..ta Ric1i nothyothe injurecl
ncs.:;ntiations.this·;halllwcCJmmlta(csü1'flltJ
·''r,.itlli:•liJ, 1
AK~l'! X..'.l.l\
!=ur un J.mrpu.,.r in the C"Ventof actunl war,,in
which th'twu kc.·r,nhHcNicnrnf,!mulCostaR1ca
~huub 1ult:'ll·fi1thc.~tl lu1ltle·ch.:e·s~.
miued tuJtf;lt:;my:unflw~ti loianyca< ot-e:1~
iu the Jtnrl uf S:m Juan rld Nnrtc, nnr mt the nver of
thnt nanu- utht·L:~knt·icaraf.{nrt.·
Aw.·nc X.~ur.
Tbr sliJII!hition irure~- ntieihcng es..o;en·
1i~U iypurtnut fntlpu~ott· uc.h~pnt nd river
~'uai fur1!,U;.:r,:rt:o~,hiwcu.daffet11ge~
~~· irnt:cdrtfI!oh>:t~~î:I lI1tcttrnfll:OulS, àà
âgreed to uuder the special gnarantee, which, in the
11ameof the tnedia.ting Govermneut,its1ninister pleni
potentiary here is directed to give, and ietfe co~s
give, by virtue ot~e powers which for this pnrpose he
states havebeen conferred onhim byhisGoverntnent.
AR'!'ICLEXI.
In testimony of the good and cordial understanding
which is estab1islied between the RepttblicsNicara~
gua and Costa Rica, they renounce ali assets (à·éd-i/(}
achvo)·tllat may exist betweeu them, nnder·.wbatever
title, until the signing of tite present treaty., and. the.
high contracting parties likewise cancel aU claitus for
indemnity to which they 1nay consider themselves
·entitled. ·
ARTICLE XII.
TJ1is treaty shalberatifi·ed and itrati.ficatiex
changed within forty days aftit is signed at Sautiago
cle ManaWia· . . . . . · ·
Iu testtmouy whereof we stgn tlus 111tnphcate, to-
getlterwith the honorable minister fromSalvador, the
respective sec:retaries countersigning, itt the city of San .
José, the capital of Costa Rica, on the fifteedaytof·
April, eighteen hundred and fifty-eight
. MÂ.XIMO ]EREZ.
JOSÉ M. CA~ AS.
PEDRO R6MULO NRGRETF;.
Secretary of the legation of Nicaragua,
MANUEL RivAS.
Secretary of the legation of Costa Rica,
~ SALVADOR GONZALES.
Secretary of the legation of Salvador,
FLORltN'I'tNSoozA.
At!ditional Act.
The undetsigned, ministers of Ni.caragua andCos~
Rica, de~iri tangive pubHc tes~it tootuer high
esteem and their gra.t ~enim1euts for theRepu~lic
of Salvador and. forJts wortl1y representative, Senor
Colonel Don Pedro R. Negrete, agree to annex tothe·
treaty of territoriaboundaries the following fonnal
declaration: 39
. Tlu.·~on·nmw of SaJ;<tdor hnving given to that of
lPSta 11t·aam1 th:tnf NJearagna the most authentic
ll·stin.lnny ts nnh.!-itimentsan~ of its knowledge
lww tully tnapprccm tnd~to cnlttvate the fraternal
,.;ynrp ahih l~:-;harcdhy nll these Republies inter
l'stin}:'itsc;·lfsn dficicntly and nmicaheq~titable
mljustnn~n ott.e <liffc:rewhich nnfortuualely have
ts iskrl hcwr.. tht~hlghcantractingpartiesand ob
taine:cl this hy·fèsnlt thruugh the legatimis o1 both
tin': in g"rcat mensure to the estimable and active offices
with whidt the honorable ·Sefior Negrete, minister
pll·nipott ofnttatanvenunent, designated with
IH• )rc;dcs finess for using higeneronsmediation,
ha~ knuwn JlCtfectly haw to meet its intentions, and
'luc.:nlso lo the important intelligandeimpartial
\"Îews uthe said sefiminis/rin thediscussionothe
mauers cnncerning. the ..propese~tle ,\ee, he:
chnrt:és nf thlegut1onof Costa Rtca andNt.caragua,
iu t.limnnc of oitrrespectivconstit ul:ilttes,
Jllcasing dnty of hereby declaring and subscribing to
rdl the gnLtÎt\tclju!'lmeritedhy the patrioti.c zeal,
enlightennlent, (raterniand henevoleuce which char
act,erize the novernment Snlvudor.
.ln te:stimony whereof we sÎJ_{ttpr~se iutrs
tiŒte,in the presencel}the honorable minister from
S.1hmdor, t.hc .r(:sp ntinstirvcountersigning, in
lhceit o~·an José,.the capito~ c.ol-iRica, onthe
li{tt,•tnay or th t1~llltof:\pnl,lU theyearof0\\t'
l.•·•t·i~ht h'm1'l1and Jirty-t:ig-hL
\{ .DIOXjRRHZ.
JJSÎ !·1CA~.'\S.
Tht· SL•I'l'd;ofk~ath nfNil·arag-na,
:\'\li(l,R1vAS.
"l'lus,·,·:H.tl•it-J,ona;1Custa lUca,
. S:\1.\'Atl{~ONZ.AI.li,S,
/1,·,,.uf !krl im:rlilulml,.·l. ~/.De·emh/eJ~••·
1.'J-,f,larù,_1.\l-•;/tlfi:F(rtulti't·.,·.
:;, J:\k'J'I,:t.H-·l'ctttstittlthmal t\ssemnd·, iu
ditiun 1u lhu.~ auritncs withwhîch it is investedta B"tll1'ISH AND FOREIGN
S -TA 1l E .·P·A-·PE . R S.
1857-1858
VOL. XLVIII.
..,~.~-...~·.!..:• ..
OOMPILED BY. ',l'HE LIBRARIA:(:f AND KEEPER OF "THE PAPERS,
.FOREIGN OF.FllJE.
JLonb'on:
WILLI.A.M RIDGWAY, 169, PIOC:ADILLY.
1866, COSTA lUC.! AND !:fiQAR.!GUA. 1049
'l'REAT.l' of Territorial Li-mits betweenCostaRica anà·Nica-·
.ragua.-Signed at San .JoséL , lprill5,1858.
[Ratifications e:x:changed·at Rir.as, April 26, 185S_.]
(Translation.) '
. .., .
W R,Maximo Jerez, Minis ter Plenipoteri.tiary of the Government-
of the Republic of Nicai·agua, and Jose Maria Cana-s, Minis ter
Plenipotentiaryof the Govern.ment of the Republic of Coata..Rica,
ha.vingbeen commissioned by our conatitueuts to conclu'ae a'Treaty
o.nthe boundaries_ of the t~epubl wilchsm,ay putfLend to th~
differences that haveretarded thebett-eand more perfect under_-:
standing and ha.rmony wh.ich ought to prevail between them for·
their common .secnrity and aggrandizemet?-t, having interchanged.
our respective powers, whi'ch were examined by the Honourable
Don Pedro-Romula N egrete, Mi.Distel' Plenipotentiarof the
Government of the Republic of San Salvador, in the exercise of the
noble functions of fra.ternal meçliator in theae negotia:tions, and
found by him in good and due form, as likewise those produceby
tliat Minister ware found on our part sufficient, and ha.ving in the
presence and with the assisttmce of the Representative of Sa.n
Salvador,discussed the different points with~neceasary care and
precaution, have agreed on, and concfuded the following Treaty o:f
boundaries between Nicaragua and Costa Rica:
. ART.I. The Republic of Nicaragua and the Republic of Costa
Rica declare in the most express and solem.n terms, that ifor a
moment they were diaposed to go to wa.r with ea.chother on account
of differences about boundaries, and for reasons whieh toofthe
Irigh Contrneting Parties seemed to be legal and honourable, .they
now, ~er repeated proofs of good understandingof ps.cifi.cprinci
ples and true confraternity,. wish a.n.dform'ally engage so to proceed
that peace, happilre~establ iaybbedavery day more and more
consolidated between the two Governments, and the two nations,
not only for the benefit and. adventage of Nicarngu!l. and Costa Rica,
but likewise for the welfare and prosperity which must certainly
accrue to our aister States, the rest of the Republica· of Centra-l
America..·
II. The boundary line between· the two Republics, setting out.
from the Nortbern. Ocean, ehaJ.l commence a.tthe ex:tremity of
Punta de Oastillain the mouthof theRiver SanJua-nde ~icaragua.,
and sha.lcontinue, ways followingthe rigbtbank of thesai(river,
up to a point distant from Castilla. Viejo 3 English miles, meaaure.d
from the o11terfprtifications of the saidCastilla to the eaid point.
From thence the Une shall continue in a curve, the centrewbich
sha.Ube tbeaaid fortifications, and from. whioh it sbadistantS 1050 COSTA RlOA AND NICARAGUA.
Engliah miles throughoutits course, nntil it al'rives.at· a point two-·
niiles distant from the river bank a.bove the CastFrom thence
it sball continue in a.directiion towarde the: R-iverSapoa.,whicb falls
into the Lake of Nicaragua, alwayst>ro miles ùishnt from the rigbt
bank of the San Juan "Ri1er, with its circumvolutio!!1 up toits
origina.tthe Lake, and froiD:the right banks of the 18.keitseli',
until it arrivat the above-mentioned River Sapoa, where thiline,
po.ralleto the said .banks, shall -end. From the P?int where this
line meats the River Sapoa, and whieb musli, according to the afore
airid, be two miles 'distant fro~helake, a straight line sball be
drs.wn tQ the centre of Salhia.s Bay OtJ·the Pacifie, -wbere the
boundary-line between the tw'oContracting Repnblics ends. ·
III. This bounda.ry line sba.ll be measured entirely or by part
Commissioners of the two Go1ernments, at a time wbich aball ·be
fixed by !;hem. ·The said Commiasioners shall be at liberty io
deVÜJ,tefrom the curve round the C~til frlnt7he pa.rallel along
the shores of the river a.hdlake, and from the straight lina betWeen
Sapoa and Salinas, if they ·aboula agx-eethereou, for the purpose of
:findingnaturallandm&l'ks.
IV. The Bay of Sa.ÙJ.no.n.del .Norte .aswell as toftSalinas
shall be common to botb Republics, and so, conaequently, aha.ll be
their a.dvantages, a.nd the ·oblig·toodefend them. Cosfa Rica.
.Bbal.lsob~oblig fodt,e part tho.t belongs to ber of the banka of
the San Juan River, and in the aame ·terma aa Nies.ragua ia by
Treaties, to. eontributtothe security tbereof in.tb.e same manner
as the two Republies shall contribute to its defencein case of
aggression from abroad ; and they shall do this as effectivelyas shall
be in .theipower~ ·
V. Until Nicarngua recovers entire-.possesaionof ali ber righta
iD .he Port of Sa.n.Juan del N_orte,Punta Castilla sba.ll be used
and possessPd.by""Nicàrâgun.na Coàtâ Rica in 091ll.lin,ndfor ao,
long as this comm.unity lasts, the whole ·colU'Seof the Colorado
.:a,ï sha~m~k the limit thereof; andiis ruther stipuln.tedthat
"o/hilethe. said port of San Jwm ~eorte shall -rem.a _freeport;_
CostaRica ca.nnot concede to Nicaragua rights of port at Punfu
Caatilla..
VI. The Republic of Nicaragua. shaJl havethe exclusive doniinion
and aovereignty over the waters of the River San Juan from their.
issue out of the lake to theho .discharge into tbe A.tlantic Ocean.·
But the Republic of Costa Rica sba.ll have the perpêtual right of
~re navigation in theae waters fro.m the mouth of the river up to 3
Engliah miles below Caatilla. Viejo,· for commercial pilrposes, whe
ther with Nicaragua or with the interi.or of Costa Rica by tbe RiverB
San Carlos cir Sarapiqui, or any otber route stafrongany point
®. :the bank of .the San Juan IRiver belonging .to that Republic Annex 8
Nicaragua-Costa Rica-F Belly, Convention relative to the Concession for an
Inter-oceanic Canal by the River San Juan and the Lake of Nicaragua, Rivas,
1 May 1858, Article 1
Source: F. Belly, Carte d'étudepour le trace et le profil de Canal de
Nicaragua (Paris: Chez Dalmont et Duod, Éditeurs, 1858),
Document Il, 19-27 1'01 LB'lA:1li1. l\111111.
PARB.THOMDliG&IOIQI.
DEDOCIIMRN T!DLIRS SUl'CKTTE QUESTION
'""
M. FltLIXBELL Y.·
PARIS,
CHEZDALMON TT DIINilD,EDITEUR•S
1.11UtlDIS ooaPS IMP'iai&IIX11118POM'I'I81' llnAIIIIIBa8 ET Oltll JIINIII,
·Qilli~ea •.w.
t8S8 ... eesdeexgouvernement osnl1·ésolo'apposer?parcxcepliuu.
feurproprsignalursur raclCJUÏfmstnlera)'eEmg&g~.mr.nls
réciproqoes.
Encenséqoencn e,lreJsnussig.n; s
SonExc.Jegênéra dlonThon1nsAliart pé si1en,lela
RépubliqudeNicaragun,
EtSonExc. )A .capi glénèia.on~Jua.n-RaflcJoraJ•rb
sidenldelaRêpublique:eCos.Ric~
D'unepart;
EtM. Félix.Bè11 y,bJ:iwlchevalierdesordresde Sainl.
Maurieel.LazaretduMedj:idié
D'aulrpart,
A étéar.rêtle.COnventisuivante,quilem loi désorn:nùs
pourtouteslespartisaurratificatnes congrèrŒpeellrso
Nical8gletdeCosta-Ri:a
Amcm PR.IUiltUt.
Lesdeuxgouvernement ds'eNicaraguetdeCosta·lii'leo..
denià M.Félù :.elell .J. ompagniqu:'jeonsti.tonnuJU'Ï·
vilége:cclnifourl'exécutell"exploitan'uncanalmariLime
enb'el'océatlllantiet l'océaPacifiques"ioLerdisattute
concessionlérieudecaoa.lur]eterritodesdeuxrépuhJ:iqu.es
pendan outeladuréeda privilée us--indq.ue
~:'t""R.
La duréedela:.oacessioacOOrdéàéM.Félix Dellet.à.es
as&Gc slrasequaltê-viogt&-oé tuis,dalerdujourde l'o..
fertùreduca.nal. Annex 9
Costa Rica-Nicaragua, Preliminary Convention on a Scientific Survey
(Volio-Zelaya)
San José, 13 July 1868, Article 1
Source: JM Bonilla, Colecci6n de Tratados lnternacionales.
(Managua: Tipografia Internacional, \909), 365-366 TRANSLATION
Costa Rica-Nicaragua, Preliminary Convention on a Scientific Survey
(Volio-Zelaya), San José, 13 July 1868
The Govemment of the Republic of Costa Rica and the Govemment of the
Republic of Nicaragua, equally interested and wîshing to unite their efforts to
improve one of the Atlantic ports, the one in San Juan del Norte, or the one on
the mouth of the Colorado, even if this leaves the other in a disadvantaged
position, under the notion that any of them by itself is found insufficient to
satisfy the needs of trade; and wanting to establish the preliminary basis for an
agreement towards such an important objective, have granted full power as it
follows:
The President of the Republic of Costa Rica to Julian Volio, Secretary
of State at the Foreign Relations Office of the Republic of Costa Rica and
The President of the Republic of Nicaragua to José Maria Zelaya~
Extraordinary Envoy and Plenipotentiary Minister of Nicaragua in Costa Rica.
Who, after having exchanged their respective full powers and having
found them dutifully correct, have agreed the following:
Preliminary Convention
Article 1
A scientific analysisof the Colorado and San Juan rivers shall be
performed, by means of a Commission composed by people appointed, one by
the Govemment of Costa Rica and another by the Govemment of Nicaragua,
for the purpose of examining which of the two ports would be easier to
improve, by making the totality or part of the waters from both rivers, which
diverge at the San Juan highland, follow a single course. GON'VENt~lON
ENTRE
PARA MEJORAR Ul\JO DE LOS RIOS
"COLORADO" 0 "SAN JUAN..
zeLft Yft * \IOLlO
'uJc. ~.- &'•'--4.6E.!:2obierno Je laR0pùb delCosa-aRica yoiGobierno
de 1< ~.pùblicade Nicamgna, h;na.lrncnte interesa
dos, y deseosos do unir sus esfuerzpara mcjorar uoo de
los·puertoclel Atlùtitiel de Sn.n ,Juan del Norte ô el de la
Boca del Colorado, aunque sen. Cl uno con detrimentodel
ott•a~tpilOStqne <:alqliera declospOl'Sl SolSC uzga de·
ficiontoara satbfaceralas uecesidade.s del comercyoquo
riendo fundat· lo"sprelirnimn'es de un atTegltan·irri.por
tanteobjeto,han conferido sus pleuopode~e ts,ber:
El Presidentede lnH..e~:> dùbCostcaRica, ;;\ Juliâ-p.
Volio, Secretaride Estado cu. eDespacl;10de H.elaciones
Exteriot·es de la RepùÏ'lica de Costa Ric:1.y
El Presidentede la Repùblicade Nicaragua,a José Ma
rfa Zelaya, EuviadoJ!Jxtr~tor ydMinnstoioPleoipoteu-
ciario de·Nicaragua en Costa. Rica. . ..
Quieues, después de canjcar susrespe~t PlevossPo
deres, y de encoutrarlen buena y del~i drma, han arre.·
glado la siguièu te
CONVJ~NCIO NRELIMINAR.
Ar.ticulo 1?
-Se practica"ra.un reco.nocimiel)to cientifi.cColo~· r.io
rado y del SanJuau, pot· medio de una comisiôn compuesta
de personas noml::m1-ùas,um\· por el Gobierno de Costa Rica
y otra por el Gobieruo de Nicaraguacou el objetode exa~
rninm:cu{l.de los do3 puet·to:'3semas facil mejorar,b.a·
ciendo qutJ el todopiutcde las aguns de los doa len·qu~
~~;~~·!~.·-;·~to San Juan, t,.e'1solo c·.:~ ~·. ·· · _·.'· Annex 10
Costa Rica-Nicaragua, Treaty of Commerce (Volio-Zelaya)
San José, 14August 1868, Articles 1, 2
Source: JM Bonilla, Colecci6n de Tratados Internacionales (Managua:
Tipografia lntemacional 1909), 386-39 TRANSLATION
Costa Rica-Nicaragua, Treaty of Commerce (Volio-Zelaya),
San José,14August 1868
The Govemments of the Republics of Costa Rica and Nicaragua,
deeming it convenient for the impulse of their mutual interests to destroy the
obstacles that impede the widening and progress of the trade ofboth nations, and
being convinced that a commercial treaty that assures reciprocal advantages is
the way to tighten and to make even more intimate the fraternal relations between
both peoples,ha~ eith this objective granted full powers asfollow~:
The President of the Repubhc of Nicaragua to Jose Mana Zelaya,
Extraordinary Envoy and Plenipotentiary Minister of Nicaragua in Costa Rica
and
The President of the Republic of Costa Rica to Julian Volio, Secretary of
State at the Foreign Relations Office of the Republic of Costa Rica.
Who, after having exchanged their respective full powers, and having
found them dutifully correct, have agreed the following articles:
Article 1
There shaH be between the Republics of Costa Rica and Nicaragua a
reciprocal freedom of trade in ali the goods that are not prohibited by their
respective laws. As a consequence, the citizens of any of the two parties may
travet freely and safely by sea or by land with their ships and cargo, and enter
through the ports, rivers and territories habilitated by the other party; the same as
the nationals, they shall be able ta do commerce, retail or wholesale, rent and
occupy bouses and warehouses, fix priees on their merchandise, doing this
business by themselves or through consignataries, agents, or envoys that may be
appointed ta this effect; however, remaining subjects to the laws of the places
where they travel performing these actions.-
Article 2
As the Republics of Costa Rica and Nicaragua cannat be strictly
considered foreign nations, due ta their common origin, their territorial,
commercial and political ties and interests which have bound them,tîs there.fore
declared and established, regarding their particular and own products: that the
imports and exports that are made from one point to the other, either by sea or
land, of the goods or natural or industrial products natural ta the sender's country
shall not pay rights or taxes any kind.-
Unique.- To avoid any doubt as well as any fraud, it is agreed: that the
items considered in this Article, when they enter the dominion or territory of one
of the parties, shall be accompanied by a guide prepared by the competent
authorities from the sender's party, in which it shall be certified the origin of the
goods, thisin regard to imports; nevertheless, in regard to exports, the party that
verifies them shall have the obligation of submitting the correspondîng guide
within two months if thatis required. -DE-
CO NIER CIO
ENTRE
NICARAGUA Y COSTARICA
Ze:Lft~:llOLIO :JSG DER.ECHODf GfNTES f'USI'llVONICAREGÜENSf.
" CreyC'ndo couveniento los Gnbiornosùe fas Republicas
de Nicaragua y Co:::;ta.Ric<t, parfomento de sus mûtuos
intereses, destruir los obstaculos que impiden el ensanchy
progreso del comercio de ambas Nacione.s; y convencidos de:
que un Tratado mercanti}, quensegure ventajas t·eciprocas·,.
(1el medio ae hacet· mâs estrechas éiotimas las relaciones
fl'aternal(entre nmbos pueblos,han confedd·o con este ob·
jeto sus P_lenos Poderesa saber:
El Presidente de la Republica de Nicaragua,iiJosé M.'l.·
da Zelaya.. Envbdo Extmordinario y ..l\finistrPlenipoten
ciario de Nîcaragua en CostaRie: y~;
. El .Presidentede Costa. Ricaa J"ulü\n Volio,Secrctal'io
de Estado en elDPspacho de Rclaciones Exteriores de la Re·
pùbli de~Costa Rica.
Qnienes después de ~anje sast·espectives Plenos Po
cleres,de encontrarlos on buena y.t~eb forda, han convc
nido en los articules siguientes :
Artlculo I.
Habra entre las Republicas de Nica.rHguay Costa Ricll.
mw. reciproca libortnd de eornereio, en toùns arti:mlos110
prohibidos por sus rcspectî lvye~..sEn eou~ccnenc !·sn,
ciudadanos de cualquicra de lns dos .partes,podr{m it·po1·
mar y por tierro, libyesegnramcmte con sus buques y ear,
gamento ys~ntrar en los puertos, rfos y territorha.b_ilita
dos de la otra;y Jo-mismo qne los naturalt•s, podrfhncer d
comercio, por mayo1·6 por menor, alquilar -y ocupa.1~:1s :rs
almacenes, fijnrlosprecios Asus mercaderins, bacicndo pc_or
s:itoùos estos negocios, 6 por medio dconsign~t< :'geuio~,
tes 6enca.rgados, queal efecto podrân nombrnr; queùando·,
sin embargo, t~especti\· aujtosu:'ea,leyes y ef.>.t.atntos
del lugat· en donde pnsnren estos actes.
Al·tlculo ]l_
No pud ieudo considerarse rigurosa mento las Repu bli~
<:asde Nicaragua y Costn Rien, come Nacioncs extranjenl.s,
por raz6n de su comùn origen, por las conexiones ·inten~ses
territorialescomercialesy politicusque las han ligado,se
declara y establece, respecto dc. sus pmticularesy pl'opia.s
prod ucciones; que las importacionesy exporttu:iont-que se
bagau de uno acitropunto, ya seapor mar 6 por tienA, de
los articules 6 procluctos naturale6 iodustriales, propios JOSÉ ~ARiBAONiL~A. 387.
del pais que lo1romite, no pagaran dol'echos ni impucsto ùe
ninguna .clase. '
.§ Unico-Pa.ra evitar toda düda., Io misrno que cual
quiee fraude, 86convieue: que los efectos de que habla este
artfculo, en su introducciônal territorio 6 dominios do: la
una part·e, dcberim ir acompailados de una guîa, expediéla
po1 l~s autoridades competentes de la otra,eu que se bara
constat, ser de ella el origen y proceclencia de dichos efectos,
esta por lo que hace {~la impo rtaci 6o; mas respec;;tode la
exporb.tci6n, el que la vt;;riftiene lnohligaci6n de presPn
tar dentro de do~ meses la colTespondiente tornagni<1,siésta
.S;elexigiere.
Articula III.
Respecta ~~ comercio y articulasextranjeros, ya sca en
su importaci6n 6 eu su exportaci6n, por mar 6 por ticrl'a,
los ciudadmws de las dos partes cootr<:itautes, esta~ :-\n
jetos,ni pagnrAu ot~· nimas <~.l ùtroshos que los qi~ co·
rrcsppnùan p~tg a1ros nattH'idcs; gnardùndoso !a misma re
gla en lo rclativa los otros .impncstos que cad1t palstonga
esta.blecidos, seg(m sus leyesù. que deberftrt ·sujeta.rso 'los
ciudad~ neo stro,respectivamente.
Articula IV.
Sc establcce porp~mto general, qne los nicaragüense ...;
en Cost<t H.ica y los costanicenseen Nicaragua, I'Cciprdc.n.
ment.e, .serlm con.siderndos y trfl,tados, por lo que hace al co
mercio cxtr::mjet•o, pol' mopol' ticl'l'a, en cua.util..det·e--.·
d10s y cualqniorn~lns de imp.ilestos, coma asiinismo rospec- ·
t.{ ~t·n.cias, excencion.rprivilegias,camo ·la Nn.cion môs
t''Torecidcd~ manent quu Ut'liJodré. ser coneedido niogl"m
favot·à ott·aNaci6u por algnna de las pintes couttatantes,
sinq_w-se entienda, desde hwgo, comùu para la otra en el con- .
cepto, siu embm·go, de que goza.nl.n de aqueLfa\"Ol' libremen-.
te,si la co"ucesion fuese libre 6 prestimdla misma compen
S9-ci6o,.si coucesi6n fnese co_ndicionaL
Articula V.
El presente Trntado pcrmaueccra en su ·fuorza y vigor
por eltérm~n deodie.z aüos,·c.ontados desde el didel canJC
de ~a sa.tificacionesSin embargo s1 un aüo antes de espi- Annex Il
Republic ofNicaragua-M. Chevalier, Contract for the Excavation of an
Interoceanic Canal across Central America (Ayen-Chevalier) Paris,
6 October 1868, Articles 53-56
Source:61 BFSP 1266 (French) BRI'l,ISH A~D FOREIGN
.P. A PE-RS .. .
187{)-1871.
-VOL. LXI.
-.·!'.~.~
• 1 •' •
OOMPILED BY THE LlBRABJAN AND KEEPER OF -THE P.A.PERB,.
. J?OBBJGN OFFICE. ,
u.o·ntion;
WILLIAM RIDGWAY, 169, l'[COADlLLY.
..
1871. NIO.A.RG.U.A. 1275
LIII. L'Etat de Nicaragua. s'engaàfoire touéeaefforts pour
obtenir, dans le plus bref délai poss:ible, l'adhésionde l'Etat- de Costa·
Rica à In:présentCqnvention,eD:sorte que l_'Etat de Co!!t&Rica.
garantissean concessionnaire,sùr son propre t.arritoire; et par
rapport à la Republique de Costa. :Rica, les aatiputspa~les
.A.rtieles VXlV, XV, XVI, X·yii, XIX, et XX com~in aéec
XXI; XXIV, et XXV combiné a~e XXVI; XXVII, llVill;
XXIX combiné a"te.XXX, XXXI, XXXIII, XXXIV, XXXV,
XXXVI, XXXVII, XXXVIII; XXXIX combiné avec ·:X:L;
XLI, XLII, XLIII, XLIV, XLV, XLVI, XLIX, L,.LU. ainsi
que desArticlesLVII, JJVIII, et·'LIci-après. -
LIV:· L'Etat de Costa Rica sera ainsi invitéà traiter l'f,lntreprise
exactement de la mêmemanière que le fait l'Etat de Nicaragua par
la préaen.te Convention.
· LV. La Rép"ubliquede Nicaragua. se réserve de traiter avec celle
de Costa .Rica afin de stipuler les ava,ntages Ricaretirerai~
de son adhésion à la présente Conventi·n.
LVI. Le refus d'adhésion de lRépubliquede C.osta Rica, en
trainerait la nullité du présent Traité.
"LVII. A dater dujou o~_l'Etat de Nicara.gua aura donné sa
ratificationla présente Convention, un délaide 3 ans _est accordé
pour la forrnn.tion de la compagnie et le commencement des travaux
et un délai de 12 ans pour l'établissement du canal de sorte qu'un
navire vena,nt de la haute mer puisse le parcourir de parf; en parfi.
LVIII. Toutefois s'il survenait des événde force majeure,
qui entravassent la constructides travaux, les délad~vra:ient
éprouver une prorogation proportionne.le. ,
LIX. La présente Convention serait nulle et noavenue,et
la concession qu'elle porte tomberaen déchéance daria les ca.s
-suivants: - -. ·· ·
~-Si dans le délaide 8 ans, indiqué à.l'Article LVII, la com
pagnie n'était pas formée et les travaux. commencés.
2. Sià l'expiration deB 12 années, les travaux .n'étaient pas
achevés·de .manière à ouvrir la communication maritime entre "les
deux océans, ou assez avancés pour donner lieu de croàreun
achè~e pu éloitné. Dans ce dernier ca.Sconsid desretion
grands capitaux. que la corop&U!"aÏCOnsacrésà }'entreprise et
des bonne volonté et puissance qu'elle amnntr~ et es di-ffi.
cultés qu'elle aurait reucolt.républquese.Nicaragua a,engage
• lui accorder une prorogation. ·
Fait en double à Paris le 6 Octobre, 1868.
Approuvés l'écriture,
MICHEL CHEVALIER.
TOMAS AYON. Annex 12
Costa Rica-Nicaragua, Convention Additional to the Preliminary Convention
on a Scientific Survey of 13 July 1868 relative to the improvement of the
Colorado or San Juan Rivers (Esquivel-Rivas), San José,21 December 1868
(unratified) Article 2
Source: JM Bonilla, Coleccion de Tratados lnternacionales. (Managua.
Tipografia lntemacional 1909), p.369-371 TRANSLATION
Costa Rica-Nicaragua, Convention Additional to the Preliminary
Convention on a Scientific Survey of 13 July 1868 relative to the
improvement of the Colorado or San Juan Rivers (Esquivel-Rivas), San
José,21 December 1868
Article 2: The Govemment ofNicaragua, on its part, undertakes to stipulate, in
case of subscribing a transit treaty, be it with nationals or with foreigners: that
the tariffs for the shipment of products or merchandize for exportation or
importation that may be established for Nicaragua, will be understood as
established as weil for Costa Rica, and that any gratitude, privilege or
concession that Nicaragua obtains in regards to transportation on then Juan
River, will also be appliedo Costa Rica, under equal terms. "•-.......
'.
·:·c LoECCI b~:f .·. l'·
'•·'..:·-~..~~:~:- .·· GONVENGION
ENTRE,
Nicaragua y Gosta ·Rica,
ADICIONAL A LA 1}DE JULIO DE ESTE ANO,
RELATIVA A LA MEJORA DE LOS RIOS
"COLORADO"0 "SAN JUAN"
RI\lft~*"eSQUIVeL·E!:2obierno de ht Repùblica de Costa Rica y elGobierno
de Ja Repùblica cl ~icaragua, para completar la Con
venciôn preliminar, celebraùa eu San José el trece de julio
·del con·i!tenaüo, con relaciou aln me.jora de ·uno de los dos
puertos de1 Atlantico, nominados "San Juan del Norte 6
Greytown 'y "Boca del Colorado"; y habiei1do ·]os ingenieros
tlo unay otra Republica bech~ sus expl9raciones y estudios
competentes, y dado cuenta con los iufot'l"lles·delcaq~c bau
visto la luz ptl.blica; para resolver lo couvoniecon el espi-.
riu de la Con veuciôn referiùa,elGobierno de Costa l~ic ha
conferido ·sus Pl enos Poderes:\soi'iL'Aniceto Esqui\~ ecl,
tuai Secretariode Estado en cl De$-pacho de Relaciones Ex
tel'iores, y el de b. Reptl.b1ica de Nicaragual seiior Ansel
mo I-:Rivas, actual Secretario de Estado del mismo. Gobierno.
· Qnienes, después de canjear sus respectives Pleuos Po·
deres, y de ep.contra·rlos en buena y debida· forma, ban conve-
niùo eu loque signe: ·
Artîculo li?
El Gobierno de Cost.-1.Rica concede al de Nicaragua las
aguns del l'io Colorado, â fin de que, d,esviândol.as de su ourso
actual en todo 6 en parte, y echandolas sobre el rio San
Jüan pueda obtener el restablecimiento 6 me'jora-del puerto
1
de San· Juan de Nicaragua_ · .
Articulo 2ry
El Gobieruo de N~carag 1uor su part.e, se compromete,
en caso de ceiebrar t~.l gontrato cle transfto, seo.con natu
rales 6 eàtranjeros,é.estipu 1ar: que las tarifsobre ·ftes de
pt·oductos 6 mercaderias de importaci6n 6 exportaci6n que 370 DEIH:CIIO DE GENTESl'ûSI"llVO NlCARAGÜENSE.
sc establezc.an par~icarng seuanicndau ltech-nt.:nnl,ién
en favor de Co5ta H.icay que ünalquicl'graeia,privilegia 6
<:oncesionqne Nicaragua ohtn,'iere, en cn:mto al transporf.e
sobre el do San Juan, sch~g: Cnxtensi\·{1Costa Rica, bajo
el pie de perfectignaldad.
Articula 3~
Los buqnes de Costa Rica, que arribaren alpuert.ade
San Juan del .N01;teno p:tgaru det·echa aigu no,. noeesté
establecido_para los huqnenaciona deeN~:caragùa..
E.n e.l casa en que San Juan deje de ser un puel·to fran
co, y q·no·elGubiernade Nicaragua. sujeto ii. regi6 üforo
las mercaderias ques~ mporteu, ô los pl'odnctos que sce-X·
portt-n pol'él,qnedaran li bres d_etales. formai iùad.P::t.·l
go·de cualesquioradet:ech loam ercadedas y proquctos que .
Costa Rica importe ._e:xporte.
Artfculo5~
Si en el caso an telleg~ as·ceder que el Gobierno do
Nicaragua, por alg{m trastorninteriot6-par ballarse empe·
-;ilado on unguen< ~o,pndicre dar eficaz protf>cci6n al puerw
to de San Juan, se concede al Gobi erna de Costa. Rica el de
racho de euviar â dicho puerto la fuerza necesaria, para pro
tager los it'ltereses del comel'Cio deRica,asinque el ·Gow
bierrio de Nicara.gua tenga que hnceningùn casto en esta
guarnici6n.
ArtrculoG?
El Gobieruo de Nicaragna rati ca por eSta Convauci6n
los Tratados qne iene cclebrados sobre limites con el Gobier
no d!3Cost.a Ricyjambas partes ·se someteu al arbitraje tlel
Uobierna de los gstaJas Unidos ùe Norte América, para la
decisiônd~ cualquiera cuesti6n que se ~uscit ya ,sobre
aqu~ll Toaados 6 bien sobre Ja ejecuci6n del presencon
vemo.
Articulo79
Esta Conveuci6n seraaprob~ porael Presidentede la
Republica de CostaH.i cp_orel Presidente de la Republica Annex 13
Costa Rica-Nicaragua, Treaty for the excavation of an Interoceanic Canal
(Jiménez-Montealegre), San José, 18 June 1869, Article l
Source: 61 BFSP 1144 BRI1'ISH AND. FOREIGN
S.T ·AT E .!P.A P E·R S.
1870-1871.
VOL •. LXI.'
OOMPILED BY THE LIBBARIAN AND XEEPER OF-THE PAPERB,,
FOREIGN OFFICE.
1Lo·ntion:
WTLL:f.RIDGWAY169, FICOADILLY •
.1877.1144 COSTA RICA .AND NIOARA.GU.A..
denee tha.your combiued actionwilbe wise, states .n~ inhle,
the beat .ip.teresta of the \fhole country .
.; . ··~ U. s. ·Q-RANT.
TREATY betweenCosta Rica·and Nica1·agua,jq1·thE~cavation
of an Inte1·oceanicCanal.-Signed at San José,June Ü3, 1869.
[Ra.tified by the President of Costa Rica., February 21, 1870.]
(Translation.)
· THE··Republics ~fCosta Rien.and Nicaragua, wishingtohave
the+cori.tract carried out t·•:w1m1ade at Paris on ' •e 6th of
October, 1868,• between Dom Tomas Ayon, Representative of the
Republic of Nicaragu_a, aM. Michel Chevalier, a French subject,
forthe excavation of·an interoceanic canal, bave agreed.to conclude
a Convention to determine the rigbts an.d obligations which are to.
appertainto Costa Rica for ber accessiontothe said Contra.cli.
And for tbat purpose they bave appointed tbeir respective Pleni
potentiariesthat is to say: His Excelleney the Presidenof the
Republie of Co9;ta.Rica., Agapito Jîmenez, Secretary ofintthee
Department of Foreign ·Affairs of this Republic; and
His Excelleney the President. of the Republic of Nicaragua,
Mariano Montealegre, EnvoyEx~raordi anda rinister Plenipo
tenti:nyof Nica.ragua. in the Rèpublic of .Costa Rica, who, a.fter
e~cha. teigfull owerg,and finding them in good and due form,.
have agreed upon the followirig Articles :
ABT. I. The Republic of CostaRica.accedes to the Contraet
maàe at Paria_on the 6th of Q.ctober, 1868, betwtheRepresen
tative of the :Ji.epublicof Nicaragua, Se:îior Dom Tomas Ayon, and
M. Micbei Chevalier,·aF·ench subject, ·for the excavation~nf
Inte.roceanic· Canaand Costa. RiC"aguara.nteea to the Contractor
(Concesionàrio)on lier own territory;a.in .a.llthat appertatons
ber, the sn.me advantages as·Nicaragua concedes to him, and whicb
are stipulated in the following Articles.
II. The-term of J;hconces ~h.lone99 y~a. rckoned from
the ~ay.of the opening of the canal. ·
III. The C.)ntr i~ltochoo.re the track which accordinto
the iuvestiga.tions of tb.wboeunderata.nd the matter sha ~e
considered most convenientibut it is. declar~t onte that the
cana,}_must pass up the.river San Juto the Lake Qf Nicaragua,
cross the lake, and terminat11.the Pacifie betweetb~ _ex.tret;Le
points of..Sa.linnd-Realejo.
IV. The Repnblie of Costa. Rica, the sa.meas that of Nicàr_agua,
sba.llave a.right to be representedat the deliber!\tions of the
*Eleapage 1266. Annex 14
Costa Rica-Nicaragua, Convention to submit to the arbitration of the
Government of the United States the question in regard to the validity of the
treaty of April 15, 1858 (Esquivel-Roman), Guatemala,
24 December 1886; Articles 6,7,10
Source: 168 CTS 371 Treaty between Costa Rica and Nicaragua
for the Arhitration of the Validity of the
Botmdary Treaty of r5 April:r858,
signed at Guatemala City, 24 December r886
THIS translation is reproduced from Britishand ForeignStatePapers,
vol. LXXVII,p. 476. ~e Arbibator xnaydelegate his duties, provided this does not ·
interfere directlywith the giving of hisdecision.
VI. H the decision of.the Arbitration declaresthe va.Iiditof
the ·Treaty, the same award sball declarewhether .Costa Rica bas
the right to Bavigate the River San Jnan with ships of war or
revenue boats. Also the rlecieion aforesaid ahall, in case of the
validityof the said Convention, decide the other points of doubt;ful
interpretation found by either of the Parties in the Treaty, and
comrounicated to the other Party within 30 days from the excha.nge
of the ratifications of this Convention.
. VII. Wha.tever the decision of the Arbitration bf;J,it shall be
held to be obligatory between the Contracting Parties. No otber
recourse sball be admitted, and it shall come into force 30 days
after it bas been communicated to both Governments or to their
RepreRentative.
VIII. If the Treaty is declared invalid bothGovemmenta sb&ll,
within one year from the date of the reeeipt of the notification,
come to an nndersta.nding on the demw-cationo:f the bounda.ry-line
of their respective territories.If thisunderstanding is not possible
they sball conclude in the 'following yeara Convention to snbmit
the questionof limitaof both Republics to the decisionof a friendly
Government.
From the time theTreaty isdeclared invalid,and whilst there ia
no agreement between the Parties or there iano decision fixing the
rights of both countriea, those eatablished by the Treaty of the
15th Apri 18~8, aliall brespected.
IX. Pending the decision on the vaJidity of the Treaty, the
Government of Costa Rica consents to suspend the fulfilment of ita
Agreement of the 16th March last relative tothe navigation of the
River San Juan by a Government steamer.
X. In_caae the Arbitration decides that the Trea.ty of Limita is
valid, the Contracting Governments shall,.within the 90 da.ys
following the notification of this decision, name four Comnùssioners,
two each, who shalltake the proper meaaureswith referenco .to the
1ine of demarcation set forth in Article II of the said Treaty of the
15tb April, 1858.
Theaemeasures,and the demarcation to which they refer,sh&Jl
be done within 30 months from the date of the naming of: the
Commissioners.
Tbese Commissioners shall be allowed to depart :from the lin&
laid down in theTreaty one mile in order tolay down naturallines or
lines more distinguishable, butthis deviation ahall onlybe allowed
wben aU the Commisaionere are of one accord na to the point or
pointsto be subs~ituted.
XI. ThisTl'ea.ty shallbe submitted for the approbation. of the Annex 15
Costa Rica-Nicaragua, Convention (Soto-Carazo), Managua, 26 July 1887
(unratified)
Source: Memoria anual de la Secretaria de Relaciones ExterioresCarteras
Anexas 1888 (San José:lmprenta Nacional, 1888) TRANSLATION
Costa Rica-Nicaragua, Convention (Soto-Carazo), Managua, 26 July
1887
The Presidents of Costa Rica and Nicaragua, wishing to conclude all
matters pending between the two Republics, and after having held talks in the
presence of their respective Ministers of Foreign Affairs, have agreed to the
following articles:
Article 1.
The Government ofNicaragua withdraws its objections to the validity
of the Treaty of Limits signed with the Government of Co.staRica on 15April
1858, since it shall, for its part, obtain from Congress the second ratification,
which it maintains is essential.
Article Il.
In order to make the San Juan River navigable all year round, the
Government of Costa Rica agrees that the waters required for this be taken
from the Colorado River, in order to deposit them in the former and that the
appropriate works be carried out for this purpose.
Article III..
The Govemment of Costa Rica shaHcontribute one fourth of the exact
cast of improving navigation on the San Juan River, from its divide from the
Colorado River toits mouth in the San Juan del Norte bay.
When the improvements are to be made, the contracting Govemments
shall appoint a scientific Commission to determine the extent of the work
required and to present the corresponding budget. Once the sum of the cost is
known, both Governments shall, likewise, agree upon how the necessary funds
shall be provided and invested.
ArticleIV.
Nicaragua grants the Costa Ricans the perpetuai right of free
commercial navigation in the Lake ofNicaragua and in the part of the San Juan
River where they do not currently possess that right.
The privilege granted by Nicaragua to Mr. F.A. Fallas, in the contract
of 16th March 1877, to navigate steamships in the said waters shaH, however,
be respected .. Article V.
Costa Rica has the right to participate in the profits of the inter-oceanic
canal that be constructed in the San Juan River; however, in regards to what
part of the profits Costa Rica shall receive, the contracting Govemments shall
submit the matter to an arbitrator who shaH make his decision based on the
definitive boundary line adopted, and taking into account, on the one band, the
land and waters that Costa Rica concedes the company as weil as the rights that
the works could deprive from it, and, on the other band, the land, waters and
rights contributed by Nicaragua.
Once the definitive boundary line bas been adopted for the canal, both
Governments shaH agree, at the request of either one, to appoint an arbitrator
and establish the terms and procedures to be observed in the arbitration
proceedings. Costa Rica shall, for its part, and with respect toits rights, accept
the concession made by Nicaragua in the contract of 23 March 1887.
Article VI.
The aspects of questionable interpretation of the Treaty of 15 of April
1858 that have been presented to date are reso1ved in the following terms;
1°.-Punta de Castilla is currently understood as the furthest extrerne of
the right bank of the mouth of the San Juan River that is closest to the port of
the sarne name. When the improvements mentioned in article two have been
made to the river, Punta de Castilla shall be considered the furthest extreme
point on the right bank of the San Juan River, once work has been carried out;
2°. -The centre point of the bay of Salinas shall be determined by the
intersection of its larger and smaller axes;
3°. -The right, granted to Costa Rica, of navigation for purposes of
commerce [objetos de comercio] in the San Juan River, from its mouth to three
English miles before Castillo Viejo, does not include navigation with war or
fiscal vessels exercising jurisdiction.
ArticleVIL
Nicaragua is free to make canal or transit concessions, provided they do
not adversely affect the rights of Costa Rica, without the need to hear the
consultative vote mentioned in article 8 of the Treaty of 15April 1858, to which
Costa Rica renounces.
Article VIII.
The Costa Rican fiscal vessels which need to transport guards to a point
on the right bank of the San Juan River pertaining toit, orto a point on the FrioRiver in the part that corresponds to it, or whîch have to transport relief to the
established guard posts, may cross Nicaraguan waters, provided they do not
exercise any jurisdictional act there.
Article IX.
ln order to carry out the necessary measurements, establish the
boundary line and make the appropriate demarcation, the Govemments ofboth
Republics shall, once this treaty has been exchanged, appoint the respective
commissions, within a period of six months, in the rnanner that they agree
upon.
The rneasurernent and demarcation work should be concluded within
ten years from the acceptance of the commissions.
Article X.
This treaty will be subjected to approval by Congress in both Republics,
and its ratifications shaH be exchanged in San Jose, Costa Rica or in Managua
within a period of one hundred and twenty days as of this date or prior to this,
if possible.
The arbitration convention held between the two Republics in
Guatemala on 24th Decernber 1886shall remain in force until it is ratified and
exchanged.
In witness whereof, the abovementioned Presidents of Costa Rica and
Nicaragua sign and attach their seal to this document in duplicate, together with
their Ministers of Foreign Affairs, in the city ofMangagua on 26 July eighteen
eighty seven.
BERNARNDO SOTO
E. CARAZO
CLETO GONZALEZ VIQUEZ
FERNDO. GUZMAN San José,28 de,junide r887.
Seifor Ministro:
Refiriéndomeami nota delJOde mayo ulti~ bo. tengo la satisfac- /
cion de anunciarV. E. que el seiior Presiddeesta Republica. se propa
ne embarcarse, en uni6n de su comitiva, en el vapor que debe Punr en
tarenas el d12del entrante juliEfectuarâ su dese.mbarco en el puerto
de Corintoycon el fin de facilitar su entrevista con el Excelentfsimo seiior
Presidentearazo, seguira hasta Managtta.
Aprovecho esta OJ?Ortunidadpara repetirme de V. E. atento servidor.
,CLETO GONZALEZ VfQUEZ.
AsnExcela esciaM ioidtRelacia
uu.Eitertdeas ebulidNicaram..
-:o;--
Los Presidentes de Costa RycNicaragua,en el deseo de conclu1r
todas las cuestiones pendientes entre ambas Repuyldespués de haber
confere"ciado, asistidos de sus respectivesdeiRelaciones Exteriores,
han convenido en lostfculos siguientes:
Articula I.
El Gobierno de Nicaragua retira las objeciones presanla vali
dez del Tratado de lîmites firmado con el Gobierno de Costa Rica el
abril de858, pues psu parte obtenddi del Congreso la segunratifica~
ciénque ha.sostenido ser indispensable.
ArticulaII.
bierno de Costa Rica consiente e.nque se tomen del rio Colorado las aguas
que se nècesiten, para echarlas en aquel rfo, y en que se practiquen con tai
·objeto las obras convenientes. Articula Ill.
El Gobierno de Costa Rica contribuita con una cuarta parte qe los
gastos precisasa mejorar la navegacion del rio San ]uan, desde la separaci6n
del Colorado hasta su desembocadura en la..bahfa de San Juan del Norte.
Cuando se trate de efectuar esta mejora, los Gobiemos contra~tes
nombrara.n una Comisiôn cientifica que determine las obras que es pre.clso He
var a cabo y levante el presupuesto correspondiente. Una vez conocido el
monta del costa, convendran asimismo ambos Gobiemos la manera de arbi
trar éinvertir los fondas necesarios.
Articula IV.
Nicaragua coneede a los costarricenses el derecho perpetua de libre
navegacion comerclal en el Lago de Nicaragua y en la parte del rio San Juan
donde hoy no tienen esa facultad.
Se respetani'sin.embargp, el privilegia concedido par Nicaragua al se
fiorF. A. Pellas, en contrato de 16 de tuarzo de 1877, para navegar con bu
ques de vapor en.dichas aguas.
Artfculo V.
Costa Rica tiene derecho â participar de Japutilidades del canal inter
oceanico que se practique en el rio San Juanj mas acerca de quéparte de
provechos baya de recibir Costa Rica, los Gobiernos contratantes se somete
dn â la decision de un arbitra, el cual fallani con vista del trazado definitivo
que se adopte, y teniendo en cuenta por un lado los terrenos y aguas que
Costa Rica dé para la empresa y los derechos de que pueda privarle la obra,
y por otro los terrenos, aguas y derechos con que Nicaragua cp_ntribuya.
· Una vez adoptado el trazado definitive para el canai, ambos Gohier-
nos se pondran de acuerdo, a solicitud de cualquiera de ellos, para nombrar
arbitra y seiialar los términos y procedimientos que deban observarse en el
juicioarbitral Costa Rica aceptara por su parte, y en lo que se refiera a
sus derechos, la concesi6n hecha por Nicaragua en contrato de 23 de marzo
de 1887. ·
Articula VI.
Los puntos de dudosa interpretacion del Tratado de 15 de abrU . de
1858, que hasta ahora se han presentado, quedan resueltos en los términos
siguientes:
I?-Se entiende por .Punta de Castilla en la actualidad el extrema de
la margen derecha de la desembocadura del rio San Juan mis prôxima al
puerto de dicho nombre. Cuando se practique laRlejora del .riode que ha.
bla el articulaz?,sera considerado como Punta de Castilla el extremo de la
margen derecha del ri'San Juan, una vez compuesto;
2'!-El punta céntrico de labahia de Salinas serâ determinado por la
.:·rsecci6n de sus dos ejes, mayor y menor;
3'?-El derecho concedido a Costa Rica de navegar con objetos de co
mercie en el rio San Juan, desde su boca hasta tres millas inglesas abajo del
Castille Viejo, no comprende el de navegar con buques de guerra ni fiscales
ejerciendo jurisdicci6n. _,<; -·-~- ~~;·:~-
Artîculo VII.
{ it-/'
Nicaragua podnl. libremente hacer concesion/o'~etinsito,
cuando enel! no se perjudiquen derechos de Costa R:!!è:eiq;de~d~d
olr el voto consultivo de que habla el artiTratadoilc(~ ·iif'de.abril'
de 18;8,yal cual renuncia Costa Rica. ~~\,\ ' ·
Articula VIII. ~--:: --;>---~-
. ~~~; •-r;~t.·:.
Las naves fiscales de Costa Rica que tuvieren qurèsg-uai:-:
dosa algun punta de la ribera derecha del San Juan que le paltenece ô
rio Frîo en la parte que le corrôsque tuvîeren que llevar auailios
los resguardos establecidos, podr.in pasar por aguas de Nicaragua, siempre
que en ellas no ejerzan acto alguno j.urisdiccional.
ArtlculoIX.
Para llevar â cabo la mensura necesaria, tijar layamoa de limites
jonarla convenientemente, los Gobiernos de ambas Republicas nombrarân en
un plazo que no exceda de seis meses, despuésde canjeado este tratad.>, las
comisiones respectivas en la forma que para ello establezcan de acuerdo.
Los trabajos de meyidamojonamiento deberân concluirse dentro
de diez anos contados desde la aceptaci6n de las comisiones..
Artfculo X.
Este tratado sera soma.laaprobaci6n de los Congresos de ambas
Republicas,sus nitificacis~racnnjeadas en San Joséde Costa Rica 6
en Managua dentro de ciento veinte dias contados de e6antes si
fuere posible.
Mientras no sea ratificadoeado, continuani enyvejecuci6n
la convenci6n de arbitraje celebrada entre ambas Repu.blicas en Guatemala el
24 de_diciembre de 1886.
En fe de Iocual, dichos Presidentes de CystNicaragua, fir
man ysellan el presente por duplicado, junto con sus Ministres de Relaciones
Exteriores, en la ciudad de Maaveintiséis de julio de mil ochocientos
ochenty siete.
B.ERNARDOSoTo.
E. CARAZO.
CLETo GoNz.ÂI VQuEz.
FERNDO. Guzli!AN.
--:o:-- Annex 16
C1eveland Award upon the validity of the Treaty ofmits of 1858 between
Costa Rica and Nicaragua, Washington, 22 March 1888
Source: Papers relating ta the Foreign Relations ofthe United States
transmitted to Congress, with the annua1 message of the President, Part l,
December 3, 1888. (Washington, D.C.: Government Printing Office, 1889) PA PERS
UHLA TUT('IlEE
FOREIGN RELATIONS
OP
THE UNITED STATES,
TRANSMITTED TO CONGRESS,
WITHTHEANNUAM L ESSAGOEFTHEPRESIDENT,
J•IŒCEUY .\
LIST 01' PAI?ERS, WlTJI SYNOPSES 01<'THF.IR CONTENTS, .{!.NDH)LLOWED
llY AN .ALPH.!llETlC.AL INDEX OF SUBJEC1.'S.
PART I.
WASHINGTON:
OOVJllRNMENT PRINTINGOli'FICE.
1889. COSTA RtCA.
CORRESPONDENCE WITH THE LEGATION OF OOSTÀ RÎÙÀ
AT WASBING'fON.
No. 312.
M1·.Bi'DeBto S6'iün'onPedroPerezZ8led6n.
DEP ARTMENT OF STATE, .
Washington, Januaru 16, 1888.
Sut: I have the honor toinform you• tha.t the President, having con·
sented to act as arbitra.torof the qllestions between Costa Rica and
Nicaragua, presented. under the convention oarbitration signed by the
pJeuipotentiariesofthese republies at Guatemala City on the 24th day
of December, 1886, a.nd having reoeived within the periods named in
the said convention the respective arguments of the parties to the ar·
bitr~t wioiub,have been duly communicated to the opposing parties
ns required by said convention, and f'urtber,the respective replies of
eacb of the par.ties to the arguments of the other, bas been pleased,
under the power.conferred upon bim by the last parngraph of the fiftll
articlo of said convention by ~n act da.ted the 16th instant, a copy
of wbich I h.a.vethe hooor toinclose herewith for yoar information, to
delegate his powers a.sarbitrator aforesaid to me, tothe end that the
fnllest examination of the point or ppints in dispute between the Gç.v
erumenta of Oosta Rica and Nicaragua. sha.llbe made to ena.ble the a.r
bitl·a.torto reaca. just and equitable eonclnsion in the premises and
prooounêea :fi.ualdecision or award thereon.
Aceept, eto.,
G. L. RIVES.
[bolos~~.N-1
Grover Clevolan<\ President of the United States.
Wbercat, by a.convention of&rbitro.t.ionbet\9een tb&Govenunent of the Republies of
Colita.Rica and Nicaragua: signed n.t Guateooa.la.City on the 24tb day of Deceoober,
îng betweent.b~inml'6ga•d.to tb&va.lidity_of the treaty of l_imitsof 15th April, 1858,
hutweeu the sa:d Government.a, together wath such otb er pomts of donbtful interpre
tat. sown:~reyuire decision in t.he event of the ea.id ti:eaty of limita being found
vallfl; ·
An<lwhereas, nndcr the torm!jof tho sa.i<lconvention of arbitration, the contra.ctiug
parties have aolieitetl my aceepta.uea of tb.a olfiee of a.rbitration to dectJ:lasuoh quea
tiAn<lwb.ereaa,wi.tbin the pbi'Jodann.medin t.he sn.idoonwnticn of a•bitra.tiot:J,the
parr.ics to the a•bitrahtwe snbmitteto ma tbeir reapae.tive a.tgumants, wbieb
bave boen duly eommunicn.te<\to the opposingn.l'eqnirebysa.id convention;
aud, fnrthetherespeeti ve l'Glllicsoftheparties ttheargument of tbe otber
"'Asimila.r note waa Bddretothe miuister ofNioaragua.
455 456 FOREIGN RELATIONS.
luwe ùeen lo.illbefore me in due t.imc, sc tbat all eviclenco and. argumetcs ncecBHary
a decision of the point cr points in dispute betore01ea.ar bitrn tor fbereof:
And wherea.sby the finnparagra.pbof the fiftil article nf t,couvent.îonnf
his pcwcrs, providet\ tilat he doea not fail t.o intervene llirettly in tho prouunciaton
of the :final decision" : ·
Nuw, therefore, I, Grover Cleveland, President of the United States of Amarina, in
t.he ea.pncityurbitra a~a.foresaid between the Governruents of tho Repnblics of
Costa Rica andNicaragua,and tothe end that the fullcst e:s:amination of the puiut
or pointa iu dispute between tbose Goveromants sball be ma(le to enable me to retM:h
~ just aud equitablconclusion in the promises and prououuce a finnl decision or
award thereon,do by this present instrument delenty powersto George LRives,
A~ista tSncreto.ry of Stat-e, to tht con tem platee\ and parmi tted by tbe afoi'O·
sa.id convention of s.rbitrat.ion, bereby enjoining the said George L110alilSto
due circnmspectîonand dilîge11ce in Sl:amining the argnmenand evidence I:Hlh
mitted on botb aides, and to make ta me, na soon :.s may be, a reportfor m.v
consideratioand npou which my decision of the matter in contentllHtrc»t.
Given nnder my band and the seal of tbUuit~ States this 16tll day of JnuuarJ,
in the yea.r of our Lord one tbousand cight llundred and eif?bty·eigh t, and of thé in
dependence of tllo United States the one hnndred and tweltth.
[Sl!!AL,) GROVER CLEVELAND.
Hy tb.e President:
T. F. BAYARD,
Soerutaryof Sta.U.
No. 313.
11-1r. ayard to &:iïor Don Pedro Perez Zeled6n.
DEP ARTMENT OF 8TA.'L'E
1
Washington, l'Ha-reh22, 1888.
Sm: I bave tbe honor to intorm yon• tbat I have received from. the
l~resid ie nrplicate, his award and decision in regard toithe validity
of the treaty of limits·made between the republies of Costa Rica aml
Nicaragua on ~<\. 15r i858, and the other quéstions submitted.in con
nection tberewith to the President's arbitration.
1 am directed by the President to deliver one origiÎml of tllitaward
to the representative of the Government of Costa Uica and one origi
nal thereof to the representative of the Government of Ni(~arag iua,
compliance with the tenus of the treaty signed at Gua.teruala ou the
24tb ofDecember,l886 •.·The third ori.ginal will ùe rctaineù in the cus-
tody ofthe Secretary !'>f.Stateofthe United States. .
·1 bave the honor tberefore to na me the Departmeut of State, at 12
o'clock noon of Saturday, the 24th instant, as the place a.ud time to so
delîver the President's award and decision.
1ha"l'"ee,tc.,
T. F. BAYARD.
No. 314.
A.ward· of tlteArbitrator, the President of tite U'fl.itStates, 11ponthe
'Calidityof the Treaty of Limits of 1853 between Nicaragua and Costa
lUca.
Grever Ohweland, President of the Uniteù States .•to wllom it shall
coneern, greeting:
The fuuctions of arbitrator havi11g been couferreù upon the President
of the United States by virtue of a treaty signed at t.b Uri~yof Guate·
"A aimil:unntc wasatltlr~ o tset:dnist.cr of Nicaragn.:t. COSTA RICA.
mala ou tho 24th day of Dccember, one thousanù eight hunùrell and
t'ighty.six, between the ltepublics of Costa!<.icaand Nicaragua; where·
1Jyitwas agreed that t.he question pending between tbe contractiug
Governments in regard to the validity of tileir 'l'reaty ·of Li-mits of t.be
15tll day of April, one thousand eight bundred and fi.fty.eigbt, sbould
be submitted to the arbitration of the President ·of the United States
of America; that if the arbitrator'award shoulrl determine that tue
treaty was valid, the same award should alsodeclare whetllerCosta Rica
bas theright of navigation of the river San Jmm with vessels of war
or of the revenue service: and that in the same manner tlJe arbitrator
shonld decide, in case of 'tbewalidity of the treaty, upou ali the other
poiut:of doubtful interpretation which eitber of the. parties migl.it find
in the trea.ty and shonld comruuuicate to the otber par:ty withiu thirty
days aft,er the excbange of the ratifications of the said treat.y of the 24th
day of December, one tbousa.nd eight hnndred and eigbty·sh.:. -
And the Repu blic of Nicaragua having duly commun ica.ted to the l{e
public of Costa Rica eleven points of doubtful interpretationfound in
tbe said Treaty of Limits of the 15th day of .April, one tbousaud eigh t
bnndred and fifty-eighS and the Republic of Costa Rica having failed
to communicate to the .ttepublic of Nicaragua any points of.doubt.ful in
terpretation fo~; tnnte said la.st.mentioned treaty;
Ami both parties ha.ving duly preseoted tbeir allegations and docu.
meuts to the arbitrator,and having thereafter duly presented tbeir re
spective answers to the allegations of the other party as provided in the
treaty of the 24th day of December, one thousand eight hundred and
eigbty-six;
· And t·be arbitrator pursuaut to the :fiftb clause of said last-uamed
treaty having delegated his powers to the honorable George J....Rives,
Assistant Secretary of Sta..te, who, after examining and cousidering the
~ai dJiegations, documents and auswers 1bas made his report in writ
iuA·ther~ ooutb~ arbitrator ·
Now, therefore, I, Graver Olcvelaud, President of the United States
ofAmèrica, do hereby make the following decision and award:
Fir.<ttThe above.meutioueù Treaty of Limits, signed on the 15th day
of AprU, one thousau(l eight lmodred and fifty-eight, is valid ..
Saeond. The H.epublic of Costa. Rica onder said treaty and the stîpu-
ations contaiued in the sixth article thereof, has not the right. of navi
gation o('the river San Joan with vessels of war; l'ut she ma-ynavigate
saiù rh·er with sncb vessels of tho revenue service as may be re1ateù
to and connectetl with ber enjoy wen tof the " porposes of commerce"
ttccorded to ber in said article, or as may be necessartothe protection
of said enjoyment.
Thi,·tl. With respect to the points of doubtful interpretatiocommu
Jlicated as aforesa.id by the RepublieotNicaragua, I decide as follows:
1.1'Je boundary line bet ween the Repu blies of Costa Rica and Nica
ragmt, ou the A tautic side, begins at the c:xtremtyof Punta de Cast-illa
at the moutb of the Sa.n Jnan de Nicaragua River, as they bath existed
on the 15th da.y of April, 1858. The o w ners hip of any accretion to said
Punta de Ca.stilla is to be go>erned by tbe Jaws applicable to that sub
ject.
2. The central point of the Salinas Bay is to be Jix.edby drawing a
straigbt line across tile mouth of t!Je bay and determining mathematic
ally the centre of the closed .geometrical figure forme.d by snch straight
line and t.hc silore of t.he bay a.t low-water mari;:.
3. By the centrnl poiut of Sa.\inas Bay is to be understood the centre
of t.l1egeomct.rical figlfonü~ n1slbove stated. The limit of the bay458 FOREIGN RELATIONS.
towards the ocean is a straight liue drawn from the e.xlemity of Punta
Arra.nca, Barba, near1y troe sonth to the westernmost portion. of the
da.ndabout Punto, Saoate. · ·
4. The Republic of Costa Rica is not bound to concur with the Republie
of Nicaragua in the expenses necessary to prevent the bay of San Jnan
del Norte from being obstructed; to keep the navigation of the river
or port free and unembarrassed, orto improve itfor the common ben
efit.
5. The Republic of Costa Rica is not bound to coutribute any pro
portion of the expenses tbat may be incurrecl by the Republic of Nica
ragua for any of the purposes ahove mP.ntioned.
6. The Repu blic of Costa Rica cau not prevent the RelJ11 b1ic of Nic
a.ragua. t'romexecuting at her own expem~ and withiu her own terri
tory sncb works of improvemeut, provided sncb works of improvemcnt
do not result in tbe occupation or flooding or damage of Costn. ltioa
territory, or in the destruction or serions impairment of the navigation
of the said .river or any of its branches at auy point wbere Costa Rica.
is entitled to navigate the saroe.The Republic of Costa Rica has the
rlgbtto demaud indemnification for any places belouging to her.on the
right bank of the river San Juan which may be occupied witbout ber
consent, and for any lands on the same bank 'Yhich may be fiooded or·
damaged in any other way in consequence of works of improvement.
7.'l~ brench of the river San Juan knowu as the Colorado River·
must not be considered as the boundary betwccn the Republics of Costa
Rien, a.u<lNicaragua in any part of its cqurse. ·
S. Tbe right of the Republic of Costa Rica to the navigation of the
river San Juan with mcn-of-war or revenue-cutters is detcrmined and
d~fin in the second article of this award.
9. The. Repu blic of Costa Rica can denyto the Repu blic of Ni('aragua
the right of deviatiug the. waters of the river San Juan in case sncb :
.deviation will result in the destruction or serions impairmeut of thl.l
navigation of the snid rh•er or auy ofits.branches at any point wlu~re
Costa Rica is entitlell to navigate thsame.
10. The Repul>lic of Nicaragua remains boull(lnot to make any·grantà
for caunl purposes across berterrîtory without firstasking the opinion
ofthe Republic of Costa Rica, as provided in Article VIII of the Treaty
of Limits of the loth day of April, one tl10usand eight bundred and
:fifty-eigbtThe natural rights of the Republic of Costa Rica alluded
to in the saidstipul: ar~ heirinbts which, fu.view of the boundariea
fixedby tbe sa-idTreaty of Limits,she possesses in tl.lesoithereby rec·
ognized as belonging exclusively tober; the rights w:hicb she possesses
in the bar bors of San Jnan del Norte and Sali uas Bay ; aud the rights
which she possesses in so mach of the river San Jnan as lies more thau
three English miles below Castillo Viejo, measnring from the exterior
fortificationsf the said castle as the same existed in the ~'ta 18r58;
and p.erhaps other l'igbts not bere tJa.rticnlarly specifiThe.se rights
are tobe deemed injured in any case where the territory belonging to
the Republic of Costa Rica is oocupied or floolled; where there is an
encroachmeut upou either of the said harbors illjurious to Costa Rica;
or where tbere is such an obstruction or deviation of the Hiver Sau
Juan asto destroy or seriously impair the navigation of the sai<l river
or any of ite branches at a.nypoint where Costa Rica is en,titled to na.vi-
gate the same. .
11. The Treaty of Limits of the 15th day of April one thousand efgbt,
hundred. and fifty-eight, does not givtothe Repubhc of Oosta Itica the.
right to be a party to grants which N·icaragna may make for inter-oceanic canals ; though .in ca-ses wbere the construction of the cana.l
will involve an injury to the natural rights of Costa Rica, ber opjnion
or advice,. aamentioned inArticle VIII of the treat.v, should be more
thau" advisory" or u consultative." It wonld seem in auch cases that
ber consent is necessary, and tha.t she may thereupon demand compen
satien tor the concessions sbe is asked tomake; but she is not entit1ed
as a right to sbare in the profits tba.tthe Republic of Nicaragua. may
reserve for herself as a compensation for sncb favors and privileges as
sbe, in ber torn, may concede.
ln testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my band and have caused
the sealof the United States to be hereunto affixed. ·
· Done in triplicata at the city of Washington, on the twenty-seeond.
day of March, in the year one thousand eight hundred and eighty
eight, and of the Indepenclence of the United States the one hundred
and twe1fth.
GROVER CLEVELAND.
Dy the President :
. T. F. BAYARD,
&cretary of Btate. Annex 17
Costa Rica-Nicaragua, Delimitation Convention (Pacheco-Matus) San
Salvador, 27 March 1896, Article 2
Source: 182 CTS 359 PA PERS
lllnTO TUII
FOREIGN RELATIONS
01'
THE UNITED STATES,
WlTB
THEANNUAL MESSAG E FTUEPRESIDENT
TRANS.I'EDTOCONGlŒSS
DECEJ\IlBER 7, 1896,
AND THil
ANNUARLEPORTOFTHESECRETAR OFSTATE.
WASHINGTON:
GOVERNME..PRINTINGOFFICE.
1897. COSTA RICA.
ARBITRATION OP THE BOUNDARY DIBPUTEI BBTWEIBN
NIC~GUA AND COSTA RICA.I
Afr. Ca.l11to Mr. OZncy.
lTrm~l:oLhm.]
LEGATION Oll OOST A RIOA,
lVa.shington,Jlfay1, 1896.
Sm: I hBtl the honor to inform yon, in the interview with which yon
wero })len.setlto f'n,vorme ycstcrday, of a convention for the tmci ng and
demarcation of the di.vid.ing lino between the Republh.:s of Costn. Uica
and Nicamgua. having been signed the 27th of Ma.rch last, in the catli·
tai of Sa.lvwlor, with the honorable and f•·n.ternal medin.tion of the
llresident of tlmt Stnte, conforma.bly to the determination of the treaty
of April la,1858 1nd the awu.rd of the !,resident of the Unitcd States ·of
America., Mr. Grover Cleveland; and of putt.iug you in possession of the
fnct tbat, according to oneof the stipulations oftbatt~nveu h eotno,
coutracting Governments will proceed, by common consent, in regular
course torcquest of the President of the United States of America that
be cousent to na.mean engiueer who.,rcp1·esenting the rest>eetive com
missions of both conutries nml witb the ample powers which will be
conferre1l 11}1011him ùy tbat convention, may <lecitlc any kind of ditD
culti(>.which may arise in the iudicated operation of fixing the boundary
line.
It has been a source of t·hemost pleasing aatisthction for me to note
tl1egooll dis)>ositionshown by yon in tbis matter, wbich could not bave
been settlrnl in a.ny other way, in treating by a final and n.micable rule
an important and vexations questiou, tiually decidett in Wasbiugton,
so far as the princiiJie WltScoucerned, for the goo(l of the two nations
interested; and, in conformity with your wish, 1 hmvethe plcasure to
S(>nd,inclosed, copy and translation ot' the conveution in question, tor
your better information.
Be }Jleased,etc., J. B. CAL vo.
[locloaunTl'liii&IRtlon.j
Convention for tbo 1\omn.rlcntionof tho bonmlnry 1ino botwcon t11e.Republl CRnf Coata
Rica nutl Nicaragnn~<ign ietho dty of San Snlvrulur on tho tweuty-seveday
of tho montb of Mnrcll, of oightceu linudrotl nnd niuoty-alx.
Tho metlio.tion of tho Go\·ennnent of Snlmdor hn.vlng beon acchytthe :M.O&t
the IJonndni-y lino betweon the two Republics, thuy hn.ve nnmed, tcapeotaselr,ion of
en\•oya ex.trnordinnry a.ml DJinistere plenipottheir excolleuciea Sefiora Doa
Leonidns Pacbeco and. Don l'oafnnel C. Mlltus, who, n.ftoraeveml intbehl in:
t.bellrcAence of the minlater of fo1-elgntillntiona, Bolior Don Ja.elnto Cnatellai.IOBe,spe-'
cial y nnthoriztolrepreaout thOo\'ctmnontof Bnlvador, their full powors belllg,
1See also umler the Greater Uepublio of Central Amerioo..
100 COSTA RICA. tol
fonn1l to110in gonll. nml ,Iform1wil,h tho n.tto ,ftf h~~ ~onE~~tcnl l1oent,
l're.~i nt h~nHtcpnhlic, General llnn Rafael A. Gnticrrt!z,hnRcomlcl'<ccnde!tf•
l1epresent to lcml grea tor soleumity to the act, luwo conclutho com·cntion fol·
lowing: -
AnTICt.v.1.
TlH)contrncting Govemment,s biml th8msel ves t.oench na me a cornmission compnsc<l
of two cuginccrs orsurvc~· or he purposo of Jlropotly trncing nml mark in,!{Um
bonmlttrylino hot~·c teu Repuhlica of t:ostn.1Uca nn<l Nicnragmt, Jl!lr!mnut to tho
pnn·isions of t.ho trcnty of April 15, 18f.S, and tho nrbn.wnrd oft.hc l'rcsitlcht
of the Uuitetl States Américtl,Mr. Grever Clevoltuul. '
ARTICU: Il.
· The comn1issious cren.t.e1hy the fnrcgoing nrtido sltnll l10 r.ompletehri nn
engin cor whnso llli}IOint,ment ahall he re•piIy hof·ll Jlnrtics of 'reside"ut of
tho UniteclStn.t omA~merica, nu•\ whosodntie s.nl~b11Hmited tu thofnllowing:
Whenever in f.bcarry ing ont of tho operatBtho commissinnrtof CosLIUic; nm~l
Nicnrngnn.ahn.ll Ilisngrce, the dispJlOnt or point.'!Almll ho sitt.ell tn .culg·
ment of t.hn onginecllnmell hythe J'residenof tho Unit.etlShJtc11Amnrica. ~l'ho
engineer 11lmll hn.vo n.mple n.uthority to 1Ioeido anyordllif<lpnte Uum~ ·riRo,
.and bis decision shaH ho linal na to the oporn.tions in qucsf;iml,
ÂRTICI.F:]Il.
· \Vithin th roe mont.IJIInt.hooxchnngo or tho pro.•mnt cnnvcnt.ion wlonco 1lnly
mtifietl b)·1ho re&pl\"0Congrc&'IOSf.hfCJifllMl.nt\'CiIlw nshÎ llnu(1rh•,,h(~liU•
traet.lnUu\'el·~ sh!ll lnotcd, .lr!iutly, tn 1'1ltl~1loesitlt·ut.tl1 Uni lc•l
.StatesofAmcr1cn to ngreo to t.RJIJlOHhu ont of t:l!oengmechortlt.nlnro rt!leJo•·••tll
·andto Relect tho sam o1r,otving to tho n.1oseneon.rcj1rcstm t\"Oin WnsbiÎtgton
.of either of tho two Om·ornmoublor for any othcr ren~< wohotsnot'C1" tho rc,tnr.st.
:sbnlluotlm m:ulo juintlwithin tl10t.lmo RJtOcif1et1nftor 1ho cxpil'n.tiun thort•of t.bo
•teprosent nt\hn·ti~gton of elf.lmCostn. lUc"r Nicnrog mn:y~mnl•o theMill
,reqos ~etpnrnt w.ckb~ cquust obnilhavo the eamo cfioet ns thongh mn<lo hy hotb
part1es. •
[. AnTICLP:IY.
1;Tho nrpnintmcnt of tbo Unlte1l Stn.t.r.a onginecr onen mntlo, nntl wif.ltin throe
monthe nller Rnch npfoin tment:, thtlcmnrkn~ oftitoonh111unlry li un 11ha11he
.entt·rctl npon, ruul ho conclodotl withintwcnty mmll.hn nl'ter Mto innuJ{nrntion
ofthe work. Thn commlssionR of the controcting pn:rties slwlnumt in Riu,ltum
del .Norte wit.hUu~lerm do.~ignn ftel•loJlllrposc, nn<lslutll begin tworltnt
.tho end of t.bo honudn.r)' whiic1 nccording to tho treytnntl o:wnrtlu hoYo mon·
.~lon tdrs from tho Athmtic CoMt.
,1
AnTICT.l'Y.
Tho contrn.cting rnrtio.q stipnlntn tbnt if from nny cn.nse r.ltlu1r tho enmmisRinn of
the lletmbll11fUosln Rien. or thnt of Nicn.rngnn 11bonll1fail tu nppenr at Ibo t•laco
dŒignnted, on !:hday nnmotl for tho hcgiuniugof tho wflrk, t,hiRslinllbo 1Jehyu
tbe·commiSRiou tho.t mn:; ho on hn.ntl, the engineor of tho Unit.ctl Stnt,o,qGuvernment
belng prCI!Cnt,nnd whate,·ermay ho an tlone sb nil 1Je t·nlid null lhml iu ao fnr na
Jegnrds the HeJmhlio fnilingto smul it.'l commlssionnr'fho eamo conrl!o11lmll be
]mrsnetlah nntnny or nil of the comm issionorsclthor of.ho c·ontrnng Jh.•.b1icB
obseut thctnscl t·cs nftcr t.ho boginnlng of the work, or alyr•:fntht~<nny ont
*besamo in tho mnnner ln Ill down iu tbe nwo.rtl mul trhoroiu rcf,:rmtl to, or 1n
accordnnco with tho clccJsion of tbe ongiuecr np(IOintetl by the l'rcshl'!f.t,ho
Uulf;ed Stn..CH
.-~ AnTICI ."P.1.
·Tho eontrn.r.ting pnrtnt.ipn~ tn..tto t.ime e11tn.hlishetl fur t.ho conlllllAion of
o demn.rknti1111la nnt nhsolntr, n.ml, ther.,frtro, wlml:e\·c1lnno1Jnbscrp1ont
totl1o expirnl•if,Jmmnfehail 1Jet•nlitl, cillmcnn~ clw RRiltcmn ie iusntidont
for tho cnrrng ont of nIl tho opern tl onshrorenson of thn l'ounuissiollCI".'Iof Oustn
en nnclNlenrngun. ngreeing nmong tbernseh·cs, w1th.tho ronse nt Unitllll Btntee
iDgineer, lo tenipumtilyfiiiAJlenclt11o work, tho romniultimo· of thotJlrima.ril~·
ealgnatecl being insnOicient for llnisbing the snme.
~
ÀRTICLP: VII.
·ln cnso of tho temporn.ry snsponsion of tho work of llemarkn.t.ion whamay ho
Btme lilltc'tho timo nf SUMJlcnsiu~~~a hni11oldn111nn1 mut c:munah·c,11111t.ho
i0nndarltl8 in thn respectiJlnrtH Khnll h•1llcemotl ne mntorin lly cstnblo\'enl,
, ongh owing to miCXJ.lCCt.nm1 ÎllSUJltlmblo llÎrcnmatllnen~b8118JIOI!Idonshonld
1 _ouUnneindcllnitcly. Annex 18
First Award rendered by the umpire, EP Alexander, San Juan del Norte on
Sep 30, 1897, in the boundary question, between Costa Rica and Nicaragua
Source: H. Laf ontaine, Pasicrisie Internationale 1794-1900: Histoire
Documentaire des Arbitrages Internationaux (1902, reprinted 1997, Martinus
Nijhoff, The Hague), 529-532 105
H. LA FONTAJNE
PASICRISIE INTERNA TIONALE
1794-1900
HISTOIREDOCUMENTAlREDES
ARBITRAGESINTERNATIONAUX
Préface1Prefaby
Pierre Michel Eisemann
MATHE HAGUE1BOSTfLONDONS 529 -
minadu'dentro aë los veinte meses siguienta· operà.èionesdel. dia, .c~â ~sem.ojones con
la feclta deinaugurationde los trab'ajosLas struldos 6 adqptados, la diStanâ que queden
Comisiones.deJas Partes Contrata.ntesse reuniran. u11osde otros, el arrumbamie·1olineaqu~;:.
en San Juan .dèt·Norte,~ent de. los.términos <;lcterminl comûn-.lindero,etc.Ca$o de que
fija dlefecto,'é·iniciar:in.-sus trabajŒ eo·.er hubiere discusi6n entre las Comisi.onesde Costa
tl!trêmode la ll~ :i~eoria que;,segûe.t'J'ra· Ricay Nicaragua respecta de:aigU p.nto,~e
tado y Laudo antes referidosparte de la costa eoniiignaren 'elacta reipcetivala cuesti6n 6
athintica. .. cu~tio dnbasdas yla resoluci6delIngeniera
norteamericano··Las actas se llevarânpor tri
ART.V. - La.sPartes Contratantes convienen
en quesi, por cualquiermotivo, el d(ade ini plicado: la Comisionde Cosl:i!..Rica conservari
ciar los trab;ajos.faltare en lugardesignado uno de los ejemplaresotro lo de Nicaragua,y
alguna de las Ccimisio!leide las ]:tepuli!icasde tercero el Ingeniero .norte<J,mericano,para
Co~t Raica 6 Nicaragua, sdari·principia lo~ . depositarlo,·una vez eonélu!da.slas operaciones,
.trabajos por la Comisi6n dla otra Repûbliea ·enel Depàrtamênto de Estado de Washington.
ql!e·se halle presente, con ·la concurrencia·del .ART.·x..- Los ga'Stos.quese oca.sionen·e;on
seiwr Ingeniera delGo~ier nnr'amerieano,'y ·o:iotidel envlo y permao.encidel senorInge~_
sua vâlîdo y' 9-efinitivo,que en taironna se ·"nieronotteamcricano, asi comlas sue\dosque
·baga,y sin lugara redamo por parte de la ~~ correspondan durant~do er tiempo que dur.c
Repûblka que·baya dejado de enviarsus"Comi· en el.ejèr'ciciode sus funciones, semn pagados,
sionados. Del mismo modo se procedera si se por'.mitade,por·l dos~Repllbl sgnaaasias.
ausentaren algonos delosComisionados,6 todos, ART. XI. ~ Las Partes Contr<1,tantec~m~
de cualquiera·.de. Jas.Republicas Contrataotes,.
una vell inieiadas las obr6s·sirebuyeren là prometen â recabar las ratiti'caciood' esta
.ejecuci6nde elias en_la formaen que senalan elonven_cionde sus respe.etivosCongresos,dentro
de seis meses,a.contar de esta fecha,aunque
Laudo y Tra~q aqul referido6 con arregloa para e\lo deba. hacerse .Œn\'Otatoriaextraordi
la decisî6del Ingenierdel sciioPresidente de naria de ·aquel!osAltos Cuerpos, y· el· canje
los Estados Unidos. subsiguientese \·erili.carâdentro del messiguiente
Ali.VI.-Las Partes Contratanteseonvienen a la feéha dela ûltima.delas·ratifie adciione.~
en que- el plazo tijado parala conclusion del .eadas, 'en San Joséde CostaRi.ea6 en Man.agua.
anwjonamiento no espereritorio,y putnnto serd
vâlido Joque despué.s de sü vencioiiento se ART. XII. - El trascurso de lostérminos
de qoc.antes se ha hablado,sinlapjecud6n de ·
hiciere, bien por haber sido aquel·pla>.oinsulos actos para_los cualeha~ sido estipulados,
ciente para la practir;atodaslas operaeiones,no .produce la caducidad de 1~ presente Con·
6 bien por haber convenidlosComisionadŒde venci6n,y se b;atarde llenar.la omisî6n por
Çosta Rica·y Nicaragua entre sy.de aeoerdo parte de la Republieailquéc.orresponoa.verifi·
eon el lngeniero norteamerk:ano, en ·suspendecarlo, de.ntrodel.mâbr~v t~rmino posible.
temporalmente laobras '1 no bastar paracon·
cluirlas-el plaque quede delfijado. En fe de lo cual 6rman y sellan por dupli
cado la presente Convenei6n, en la ciudad de
Ain. VIl- . Caso de suspensi6n temporal San Salvador, a losveinti 'diaedel mes de·
de lostrabajosde amojonamiento, se tendraJo mano de n'il oehocientnoventa y ~i.1•s
hecho hasta entonees por detinîtyvcondu(do,
y por fijados..materialmente los llmite'sen la
parte respeetiva, aun cuando, por eircumstànciasstaward ie11.derii'CltJu:m lloNo•teby tbe
inesperadas 1!insuperables, 'dicha suspconon umplre, "E. P.:AlCJtander, Ôn Sep'tembcr .so, lt1~7·,
tinuaseindefinida m~nte, ln.llie b~IUldqulso);'bclw<!eco,ta1\!Çillnd
ART. vru.- El libro de actas de·las ope Nic:~r~a.
raciones, quese llevàra por triplicado yque San Juan del Norte, Nicaragua,
firmarâny sct!:ml.ndebit.amentelosComisionados, _September 30, 1S97~
serâ, sin necesidde aprobati6nni de ninguna Inpur~ua nfete duties,assigncdme by
otra forîmilidad por parte de las Republicas ·my commission as engineer-arbitrator t~,our
signataria.s, titulo depemarcaei6n defiutti~·~ 0
de sus limites. two bodie$;i.vitbthe power·to decide final!y an}
ART.IX. - Las actas a que ·se .refiere c\p(llilof·difference, thmay arise in tracing
'ànd ~a.rk i1.tthe boundarylne between the
artlculailteriose extendcrân "en 'la siguientetv;orcpoblics,. 1 have give'"arefulstudy anél
forma: sc consignara todos los djas, al concluir
!asobras, minuciŒa y detal!adamentc todo lQ • 1M<tnmii do Nt!A<itxftri ~as:~Ri~a.)Sy7·,
beeho,expresindose·e!punta de. partlda de las·p.:8. - 530 -
consideration to aU arguments, counter arguments, .inust·seet'hathis ge!)eral id·~or the treaty as·
maps, and documents submitted to me -in the a whnle harmonizes fully with. any. description
matter of t_bepi"oper.loeati.on of the initial poioJ the Jine given·in.detail, and the proper namés
or the sald boundary lioe upon the Caribbean of ail the iocalities \lsed, or not used, .in con-
coast. · nection therewlth,for the non use of some namçs
The conclusion at which 1 have arrived and may be ilssigniiicanas theuse of ethers.Now,
the award i am about ta make do not accord from the· general -cOnsiderationofthe treaty as
witb ·the vieo f seither commission. So, in a who!e, the scbeme of compromise stands out
deference to the very exi;ellent and ·earnest ar- clear and. simple.
gu~tl senfathfù\ly and \oya!ly urged by each Costa Rica was to have as a .boundar.y Lint:
cotnmission for.ii$respecti••e side, I will indicathe right or southeast bank of the river, consi·
briel!y my tineof thougbt and·the coi\Siderations dered as an outlet lor :eommerc·e,·from a point
whicb have seemed to me to.be paramounf in. 3 miles below Castil1o to the sea.
determining. the question; 'and of these consi- Nicaragua was to have ber prized mme
aerations the principal arid the controling one is.imp~ oriaoi the waters of this same outlèt for
that we are to interpret and gi\'e ·effecto the commerce, .also unbroken to the sea.
Treaty .of A.pril 15, 1858, in the way .in wbich. lt èl to be noted that. thi.s di'vision implied
it was mutually ·understood. at the'tme by its also, of course,. the O\Vnersbip by Nicaragua of.
malrers. ali islands in the river and of theleftor north·
Each commission bas presented. an elaborate west bank and headland.
and well arKl!ed contention that the fanguage of · This division brings the boundary line (sup·
.that ti"eatis consistent witb its daims for a poscd it to be traeed do\ynward along ~he right
location of the initial'point the boundary line bank from the ,point near Castillo) acrOS.bath
at a placç whicb would give toits country great the Colorado and the .Taura branches.
advàntages. Tht;'points are ov~ sixrmiles apart, Il can not follow either -of them; for neither
and are jndicated on the map accompanyi.ng isan outlet for commerce, as neithebas a harbor
this award. atits mouth.
The Costa Rîcan claim .is loeated on the . It must follow the .remaîning branch, the one
\cft-band shore.'or west headla.nd of the harbor; called. the Lower San Juatn hr,u~h its harbor
the Nîcaraguan ..onetl!lheadland of the ·mo~th and into the sea.
of the Taura brancb. · The natural terminus of that line is the right·
With.out attempting to reply in detail ta hand'headland of the harbor mouth.
every argument ad\'aneed by citherside in sup- · Next Jet usnote· the language of. description
port ofhis respeetive daim, al\ will be met and used in the tre.1ty telling wbence the Une is.to
sufficîently- answered by sh!)wing !hat those who start and how it is to ,run, Leaving out for the
made the trealy rnutually understood and bad moment the proper name applied to the initial
in view another point, to wit, theeastern head· point lt is to start • at the mou.th of the river
land at the mouth orthe harbor. . San Juan de Nicaragua, ~nd shall ctlntirn!e fol-
, It isthe me.1ning of the men who framéd lo\ving the .right bank of tsaid river to a point
the treatyWiehwe are to'seek,rather than sorne three English miles from CastilleVitjo•. ·
possible. Œeaning· which can be forced upon This language isevident!y earefully considcred
isolated word! of s'ententes. And this meaning and precise, and th:erçis but one starting point
of the men seems to me abundant!y plain and possible for such a !ine, and that is at the right
ob\'ious. he~dla on he bay.
This treaty-was not; made hastily or care· Lastly,we come to theproper-name ·applied
lessly. Each. StaŒ bad been. wroughtup b;r years to the starting poîpt, •the extrcn1iof Punta de
of [nlit:\ess.,negotiations.aostatc of readiness Castil\o•. This name Punta dè Castille docs not
for war ·in defense of what ·it considered its appear upon a single. one of ail the original
rights, as issttforth in 'articl1. ln fact, war maps of tpe b~y or Snn Juari V.•hich1,\a.been
had actual\y bcen declaree! by Nicaragua on· presented by eîther side, and which scem to
No\•ember 25, 1857,when, through the mediation include· aU tbat were e~· ·crblished bdrire the
of the .Republie of Salvador, a final effort to treaty or since. This is a significant fact, and lts
avert it was •uade, another convention was held, meaning isobvio uunta de Castille must hmve
ard thistreaty resulted. Now, we ma)' arrive at been, and mus.t h.a\'e remained, a point of no
the mutual ·undei-standlng fina\ly reached by its importance, politieal or commercial, ctherwise it
{ramers by first seeki11gin the treaty as a whole cou\d not possibly pave so utterly escaped note
ror·the general idea or scheme of compromise or mention upon the rnaps. This agrees cntirely
upon wbich they werè able to agree: Next,.we ._.\Viththe caraeteristiés of the .mainland and the - 53{ ......
head!and .on the rîght·~e· bay.It remai"n·stheeasternCostaRlca:shore'asbas.been,d~·
·until to-day obscure and.-un'oc, xceptby cribed.·But eveifthat Œ tru_eitwouid be
the hut of a lisherman.. But the identîlicaunreasonablÇo suppose that slÎch temporary
the loca\ity·is·sti!lfurth.erput beyond aUques-- contiection could operatpenn~neotlye,
tîonby'the incidentalmentiin,anothea~clethe geograpbical cbaracter,and polltical owner
of-the treaty itself;ofthe n.amePunta de Castillo. si~anofThe.sam_eprinciple,.ifallowed,
In Article V Costa Rica agrees temporar.ily would give to .Costa Rica ever}- island in the
to permitNica~a tgus1 aosta Rii:a'sside of. rtôwhichsand ba.rsfromber shore bad made
the harbor\vithout payment of port dues, ârid. out duriug that dry seastqroug.1 tbe~~t
~e !!amePunta de Castilisplaioly appliedtotreaty the rivîs treateand ·regardeas an
it Th_uswe have, concurring, th_egeneral idoutlet oco~mer chisimpliestatit isto be
of compromise inthe treatj·as.a .whole the · consideas in averageconditioof wàterin·
·literai descripof theline indetailand the which co•Jditionaloit inavigable.
.verification of the nappl to the initial -But the overwJ:telmingconsidera~iothe
pointby itincidentalmention in anotlier pOrtion matter is that by \1teuse of the name ol Puntà
of the treaty,..and by .the concurrent testin1ony de Castil\o for the starting point, instead of·the
of.every map maker ofevery nation,both before 'namè Punta Are~es,makers -ol~e treaty
the treat)' andince, in- exduding this nameiotended to desîgnate the main!and on the east
from aliotlier portior t:lieharbor. ';[bismofthe harbor.. Thbas·already heeti di9cussed,
seem_tobt: suffai rgdment~~po t~hs~bje'<:t. but ,no ëirect reply was·made to the.argument
but 1t w_plr~n t~e wh?le sttuatton.!n.a sb!! .·of·Costa Rica threeauthors as applying
clearerhght to g1ve a bnef explanatlon of the · the naui.ePunta de Cal!tilloto the western extrè
·locale-eography and of one special peculiarity· mity ôf the befqre·me'ntiqthdi~oint,
of thiSBay of San )ua' ~. invariably called Puni{!.Arenas by ali.the naval
The great Ieature in the local geograpli.yOf and other officers,surveyors, and-engineers who
this bay, since .our ea.rl.iestaccounts of it, h(l.S eit.'n1app·d
called on sorne early maps the .islanSan.utletT_eseauthoroare L. Montufar"' l'!uatemalan,
-juan. w:LSan island of such importance astir!88?; J.D. Gant aeN~i,ragtian, il68ç,
have.been menti.onedi1 20by.. two distingui- ·and E. G. Squier, an A1i1, ate not given
shed authors, quoted in·the Costa Rican repexactly, but'subsequentthetreaty. Even of
to Nicaragua'sargument (page),and it is an tnese,-the last two merely used, once.eacn, the
12 name Punta de Castila.an altemate forPunta
island to-day, and so appears inthe m.apaccArenas. A~rn ths-rraytfàu_thorir' e-have,
Panying this award.,• · firstan innumerab\e number of other writers
The pçculiari!:!this bay, to be noted, icil farmorreenyitled to confidence;·second,
that the river brdnw~ vèrylittlewàter durinthe original r)lakers of·aH the ·maps, às before
.tlie annual dry season.,.Whenthal happens,pointed out, and third, the framers qf the treaty
ticularlyof late years, sand ban, dry al! !tself,' by t_heir use of Punta de Castillo in
ordinary tides, buf submerged moreless and Article V.
broken over by the waves at ail bigh ones, are
formed, frequent!y reaching the adjacent head·It must be born,cin miud that.for som!!years
lan$, so that a man might cross dry-shod. before th.makhigof thistreaty Punta Ai-entw
Now, the whtlle claof CostaRicaisbased bad been byfar the mostimport:.1and con
upon the \iSSumplionthat on April 15,1858,tlieeuous point in'the· bOn: itwere.located.
date or the trèaty, a oonnectionèxi!ltedbetweenWllilrves,workshops,officesorVander·
the island andtheeastern head!:l.nd,athat .bilt'sreat transi,t company, cond1.1ctingthe
this'cou~:e te tsland into main!and~nd through, line from·New-York to San 'f'mnciscq
carried the initial point of the boundato overingthegold excltement or the early lirties.
Here theocean andriver steamers met and ex
th~ western extremlty of the. island. To this
c\a.imthere are·at le.:utt\vo replies, either oned passengers and cargo. This was the
seeming tome.conc\us iv~ . point spught tbeèontro byW a4ker and the'
.First, the exact state ~aron tha.t day lilibus•er5
can not be definitelr pro11en,whichwould seem The village ·OfSan Juan eut no ligure at aH
to be neè:essarybefore.drawing important coin·comparison, an.iwould·doubtlesbe·ea.sy
elusion$. to produceby hURdreds,r{!ferentothis point
However,a9 the date wa..·snear the. end as .Punta.Areoby naval and diplomalicofficers
the dry .season, it is most probable thaf t:hal!promhient natians, by prominetlt·ntsstde
was sueh a conneetion. betw:th slandand and officiais, and by 'engincen _and surveyors eoflstanÜyl.nv~tl t.g èaritlpobg!em·,and Hea:d L,agoontheboundary·lîne shall.tUrtothe
ailhavi n ~er.11alknowledge of the lot:a\it..lelor soutbeastwaid, aod shaUfollowthe '\':tter's
In'view of ali ·these circl!msmnces, the' jedge around the harbor until\t-reac. ~hes·
lousywith whicheich party ta the treaty delineriver proper bythe lirst chanrlmet Up this
what itgaveilp.andwha it kept, tbe.prom111ence:bannel,.andU[lthe river proper, the line shilil
and importance.of thelot:ality,,the concurrence.ntinue to ascend a!ldirected in the trcaty.!.
ofall-.theoriginal ·maps ithe name,.and its
universal notçriety, lirid'ithpossiblto con: Segundo Laudo eobrlimite•entrla• Repil.Cl!de
ceive that Nicaraguaha~ conceded this exten Nî~uAgu yn.euta Rica1\rmado en Son JiD del
sive andimportant territorto GostaRica, and Norte, Dlc!emb~od~ •B97·
that théhÙter'srepresentative'bad.faito have
·.theoame Punta Arènasappeat any_whercin the En cumplimiento otra vez de mis. deberes
treaty. And for reasons so simi\ar 'thatit is camo IngenieraArbitra entrelos dos Honorables
. necess;t.ry·to repthcm, .it is.also ims.b~e Cuerpos ~e Ustedes, he·sida llamado para decidir
ta conceivethat CostRica shouldhave accepted la c.uesti6nsometidaa mf.en el acta del 7 'del
the TaLlra·as ber boundary and that Nicaragua'presente mes, como'se manifesta.en el siguiente
·repr!!Sentativeshould have ehtirely failedto bave . pâralfo del libro deassaber: •Propuso
the nami:Taura appear an):'Where' the treaty. la Com,isidnCostaric.en'ue se procedaa medir
Having·tliendesignated gener~ tey main· la_Unea que continuo·desde el punta iniciay
land east of HarborHead as the location othe" ·sigue por la margen de Harbour Head, y des
,initial_poorthe boundary lineitnowbecomes· puéspor la del cano màllprôximo hasta encori·
necCS!l,atyspecify"îtmoreJ?linutelyi,n arder that .el rfo propio de San Juan, sigY.iend·ola de
·the saidine may be, exactly. located,and per~te.ha sJtpanto que distc tres millas,.abajo
n1aneotlymarked. The exact locationofthe ini del Castillo Viejo; que .se..levante el piano de
tial point'"isgivcri inPresidentCleveland's:i.ward , dkhay que se incorporetodo en las ac.ta,s
as the eitremity oF Punta de Castille, .at thedia par dia en· las sesiones. La de Nicaragua
mouth of.the San Ju~n de Nicaragua Rh•er, as manifesteq'!e el trabajo de la medidà y:!eventa-·
they bot!t exisfeon thetSth da}of April1858. miento del piano en esa parte de la Uneano
A carefu! stlldyof ali available mapsand tiene valor ni objet" utif porque, seglin·el Tra:
comparisonsbetweanthosemade before the trêaty tacio y eLaud.o delGener'alE. P. Alexander,el
ànd tho~ oerecent.date made by boards~f en Umitedivisorio lo roi-mala .margen derecho del
gineers and ofticersof.the ,canal company, and Harbour y del rio, y que siendasf,es.variable
one Ç~·to"·daymade bY.ourselvt;Sto accompany ·.y no Hneafija·y por t;t.ntel piano y los dates
this award, makes.very clear one 1.The exact que seobtengan no cor.responderannunça a ln
spot which was the cxtremity of the head!and verdadera lînea divlsorio. En tai cstado deter
o( Punta de CastilleApril 1s.·tB)8, has long minan ambas Comisiones alda decisiOn"·l seflor ·
been sweptover by theCaribbea;nSea, and therc Arbitro sobre este puntoa cuyo 6n Je prelien-.
is too little concurrence in the shore outline taran sus respeetivosfundamentos de ntro de1
the old'map ts pennit.1\n}certalnty of state términode ocho dias.il
ment of"distanceor exact directionit'fromthe
presentheadland. ltwa.ssomewbere tothe nortb Han sida rcc.ihidoy debidal!lcnteconsidera
eastward, an~ probably between ~oo a11d16oo dos losreferidosargumentas dcada parte. Debe
"de hacerse no!ar parn una clara inteligendea
·reet distant,"'bitcan riot'noiv bè certainly lacuestionprbpuesta'que en la parte baja de su
\ocated,' Underthesêcircumstancesitbest fullillcLtrsocl rfo San Juan corre al trivésde un delta
the'demands ofthe'treatv and oi Presidt ICI'e· !lanoyarenoso, yque son'evidentementeposibles
land'sawardto adoptwhat ispràcticaUy'thh~d no solamenteaereclntientoo dismln\lcionegrn:
Jand of to-dy,'or the:nortbwestetcxtremityoi duales en sus mârgenes, sino cambîosenteras'de
wbnt.sce'mstobe the solid landon the cast !!idesl!scanQs. Estoscnmbios·puedenser mt.so menos
of Harbor Head Lagoon. · .r:ipidostepentinospor causas nosiempreapa
1have according!y fl).ade'persona!,inspectiorent:ey tu1nsin la·concurrencide fi1~t~ o;res
ofthisground,"anddeclare theinitial Uneof tl.lepedales tales c.omoterremotosgrandes tenlpes
boundaty to run as ·raltows,to wit: tades. Son abundantes los ejemplos de c.afiog
Its diiectlon"shll!lbeno~th end.ssuh .~nteri ohrraabandon ados,y de mtl.tgenesque
westacrosSthe bank'ofsand, from thCaribbean estan cambiando hoy dia. por, gradua!es acreci·
Sea into·the watersor Harbor Head Lageon.
It shall'pass nt ita nearest point, 300 feeton·theentoô di~m,inucione "s, ·
northwestsidefrom the smal\hut liOWStanding -·
·ihtbat.vidnity. Onreaching-thewate11fHarbar M~n! MuJuin v1/18wn.•"~)tlu Amtrlro" Rtpu·
Nlr1~8,~volv,'p.,91:19· • Annex 19
United States-Nicaragua, Convention for the construction of a Canal by the
River San Juan (Chamorro-Weitzel), Washington, D.C., 8 February 1913
Source: Republic of Costa Rica, Complaint before the Central American
Court of Justice (Washington, D.C.: Press of Gibson Bras., Inc. 1916)
Annex L, 82-86 ~ 1 1.
Ct~" -·!~::;:,..
'~ BEFORETHE
CENTRAL AMERICAN
COURT OF jUSTICE
THE REPUBLICOF NICARAG.UA.
COMPLAINT
OFTHEREPUBOFCOSTRICAGROWIOUTOFACONVEN
TIONENTEREDINTOBY'IHE REPUBLICOF NICARAGUA--
WITHTHEREPUBOFTHEUNlrEDSTAOF AMERICA
FOR1lŒ. SALEOF THE SANJUAN RIVERAND OTHER
MATTERS.
WITH APPENDICES
(PRINTED AT TriE NATIONAL PRIN'TINC OPFIC'E
SAN JOSÉ. COSTA RICA)
TRANSLATION
WASHINO'tOf~-
PRESS OF ClBSQN DROS, INC. APPENDIX L.
T.EXT OF TH.E CONVENTION BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES
AND NICARAGUA FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A CANAI.
BY WAY OF THE SAN jUAN RIVER.
(As published in La Repûhlica, No. 8810, 'of July, 4,
1913, at San Joséde Costa Rica.)
IS IT AN "OPTION " OR A DEFINITIVE
TRANSACTION?
The following is the text of a convention entered into
between theUnited States and Nicaragua, against whlèh
the Government of Costa Rica protests, and which is
called a simple'' option'' by the Nicaraguan Govemment.
It is published so that the Costa Rican people may have
an exact k.nowledgeof that transaction.
CONVENTION.
The Governmenf of the United States of America and
the Govemment of Nicaragua being animated by the
desireto strengthen theirancie nn:tcordial friendship
by the most sincere cooperatio.n'for ail purposes of mutual
ad:vantage and interest to the two nations; and the
Government of Nicaragu3: bein desirous to promote in
every way economie development and prosperity under
orderly and lawful govemJllent and the maintenance of
its ·rights as se.cured by the ·Washington Conventions;
and the Government of the United States being in full
sympath y with these aims and desirlng to lendto the .
Govemment of Nicaragua aU proper assistance in these
matters and also ·in the furtherance of various public
works and measures conducive to its welfare and economie
{8:1)l-
I
:n:t;.ti•a thadeslrt.fbote:Gonernments
,P!'ll tflth.Pfrse·paragraph of the
1, 1900,and to provide for the
....~LtLLn..o~an interoceanic ship canal
•...u,<O>.an..River and theGreat Lake ôf
any other route over Nicaraguan terri
..~,,..e.construction of such canal shall be
to the interestof both countries;
t of Nicaragua, wishing to facilitate
.;·~ ~oysble the succ.essful construction, main
. ·~:roper:tin of such canal and also thmain~
operation of the Panama Canal, the two
~n~m~ 1tsnave resolveto conclude a convention to
and have accordingly appointed as their
, tlîe Goven1ment of the United States,
. ·Weitzel, Envoy Extraordinarand Minister
m11Œletent:trf the United States of America: and the
of Nicaragua, Diego Manuel Chamarra,
for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Nicaragua,
; having exhibited ta each ether their respective full
· , found ta be in good and due form, have agreed
ltJ!tna.nd,concluded the following articles :
ARTICLE l.
.;.~ Goh~ernment ofNicaragua grantsin perpetuity to
··'1,". .·'··· of the United States the unencumbered
rights necessarand convenient to the construc·
9p.eration, and maintenance of an interoceanic caria.l
of the. San Juan River and the Great Lake of
l!iüi:t.sor.by way of any other route over Nicaraguan
·'the details of the terms upon which such canal
·constructed,. operated, and maintained to be fixed
,~,~, con·ul"ton''be'w~en the two Govemments
v.., ••construction of such canal shaH4~cided 84
ARTICI..:II.
In order to facilitate the pTotection of the Panama
Canal and of the canal, canal route, and the rights con·
templated by the present convention and also ·tàenable
the United States to take any measure or to assist the
Government of Nicaragua inany measures necessary to
the ends contemplated herein, the Gover.nment of Nica
ragua hereby leases for ninety.nine yeats to the Govern
ment .ofthe Unitea States the islands in the Caribbean Sea
known as Great Corn and Little Corn Islands and cave
nants that, at such time and at such place on the Gulf of
Fonseca as the Government of the United States may
designate, the Government of the United States sball
have the right to establish, operate and rnaintain .for
nit1ety- ynarn ~ naval base.
The Governmcnt of the United States shaH ha.ve the
option of renewing eitherr both of the above grants con
tained in this article. upon the expiration of the ninety-nine
years aforesaid.
ARTICLE Ill.
The Government of Nicaragua hereby grants to the
Government of the United States in perpetuity the right
of ships of the merchant marine of the United States to
engage in coastwise trade in Nicaragua, either by way of
the aforementioned canal or otherwise, with a right to
discharge or load in part or in wha~aUNicaraguan ports
white engaged in any voyage on terms identical with those
imposed on Nicaraguan citizens ôr vessels.
AR'HCLS IV.
In consideration of the.foregoing stipulations and of the
purposesor this convention, the Government of the United ss
· J~ftQ~:bnefit of the Government of
~O fhree million dollars ($3,ooo,ooo),
~1\ oCrotnofth.lprsent weigt and fine
.. be made tq a depository, an American
•."...,u·designated by tht;:Secretary ofState of
and to be disbursed in the construction
or for the bene·fitof public education or
...·n" ofthetwelfare of Nicaragua in a manner
~~~1ea .bythe two High Contracting ParaUes,
to be made by orders drawn by the
iL!llFinance of the Repubtic ·of Nicaragua and
:~p te Secretary of State of the United States or
' nerson as he may designate.
l!~..·ml~:bontre[erred to shaU be made within one
the date of the exchange of ratificthi~ns of
ARTICLE V.
.~...c.n;;ni"n shaH be ratified by the· High Contract
according ta their respective laws, and the·
.. ............,.......,.thereof shall be·exchanged at Washington as
.··apossible.
:faith whereof we, the respective ple.nipotentiaries,
hereunto affixed our bands and seals.
,.~~ inuupli<:'an the English and Spanish languages
. this eighth day of Feb1nineteen hun
·~dthirteen.
GEORGE T.WEITZEI.. (SEAl.)
Dn~ao MANU'EL CHAMORRO. [SEA.L]
f.r~si dfenhtRepublic, ha.ving examined the
.convention and fmding it to be in accordanc.e
.instructions,given to the Plenipotentiary charged
.egotiation,- _.~ ~ ~ ~ - - - ~ - - - ~ ~ ~ - - ~ ~ - - - - -
116
86
BE IT RESOLVED,
That it be approved ami submitted to the Assembly fo.r
action aecording to law. Executive Palace, Managua,
February 9, 191 3·
{S.ItAL] A. DIAZ.
D. .lVI. CHAMORRO,
Jlinisler of Forei g-lRelations.
[SEAL]
* *
The Congress of Nicaragua, as is weil known, ratified
this contract in ail its parts. Annex 20
United States-Nicaragua,Convention for the construction of a Canal by the
River San Juan (Bryan-Chamorro), Washington, D.C., 5 August 1914
Source: 220 CTS 2155 Au~ust
Treaty between Nicaragua and the United States for the Construc
tion of an lnteroceanic Canal, signed at Washington
English text--Malloy, 2740
Also De Martens, 3,1X, 350-A.J.I.L., X, 258-Brit. For., CVIII,
520-U.S. Stat., KXXIX, 1661-Bevans, X, 379
Signed at WaJJhington August 5, 1914; ratification tuùbJ!the
Senate with amendm.ents FebT'Ulf':1,918·ratifiebyt~ Preai
df""t June 19, 191rati byfNiaragu.alprulS, 191 ratica.
ttons e2:c/ur;nat Waahu1gton June SB, 1916,- proclai:nJtJiM
B4,1916.
(Trency Ser'K~.624; S9 Statutes at Large, 1661.)
A l!Tl(ll.Eij.
I.Pcanal rouby wayof San JuanIII. $8.000,000.ea to •PI1YNicaragua.
River aud Lake Nicamgua. H'. Rat:Uleatlon.
II. NinetY·IIine year&f·Great
and Little Corn Islandofaud
Foneeea.; leaaea unewa·le.f of
The Government of the· UniteStatesof America and the Gov
ernment of Nicaragua ~g a.nimated by the desitostrengthen
their ancientand cordial friendship by thmost·,sincere coopera·
tion foraU purposes of their mutual advantage and interestf.o.216 CONSOLIDA TED TREA TY SERIES
provide for the possible future construction of a.n int.eroceanic ship
canalby way of the San Juan River and the great Lake of Nica
ragua!or by any route over Nicaraguan territory,,whenethe con
structiOn of sucb canal shall be deemby the Government of the
United States conducivetothe interests of both countries, and the
Government of Nicaragua. wishing to facilitate in avery wa.y pos
sible the successful maintenance and pperation of the Panama Canal,
the two Governments have resolved. to oonclude a Convention to
these ends, and have accordingly a.ppointedas their plenipoten
tiaries:
The Presidentof the United States, the Honorable William Jan
ninas Bryan, Secretary of State · and
The President of Nicaragua, Seiior Qeneral Don Emiliano Cha
morro, En voy_Extraordinaryand Minister PlenipotentiarofNica.
l"&g_to the United States;
Who, having exhibited to eaeh other their respective full powers
found to be in good and. due form, have agreed upon and oonoluded
the following articles:
ARTICLE I.
The_Government of Nicaragua grants in perpetnity to the Gov
ernment of the United States, forever free from ail taxation or
other publicchar~ the exclusivproprie~ rights necesmry and
oonvenient forthf!construction, operation and maintenance of an
intl>..roceaniccanai by way of the San Juan River and the great Lake
of Nicaragua or by way of any route over Nicaraguan terri tory, the
details of the tt.>rmsupon which auch canal shall be constructed,
operated and maintained to be agreed tobv -~e two govemments
whenever the Government of the United States shall notify the
G-overnment of Nicaragua of its desire or intention to construct such
canal.
Alm:CLEIT.
T<i enable the Government of the United States to _proteet the
Panama Canai and the proprietary rights g:r:ato the Government
of the United States by the foregoing article, and also to enable the
Government of the United States to t,a.ken;nymeasure necessary to the
ends contemplated h~rei ne, Govemment of Nicaragua hereby
leases for a term of ninety-nine years to the Govenunent of .the
United States the islands in the Caribbean Sea known as Great Corn
Island and Little Corn Island; and the Government of Nicarag11a
further grants to the Government of the UnitedStatesfor a like
period of ninety-nine years the rigbestabl oper~t%.nd main·
tain. a naval-base at such place on the ter.Nicara~f bârdering
upon. the Gulf of Fonseca as the Government of the United States
may select. The Government of the United States shall have the
option of renewing for a further term of ninetj-nine years the above
l~se and grants upon the expira ~fone1r respective terms,· it
being expreSs:lyagreed that the terrttory hereby leased and the naval
base wh1ch ma:y be maintained under the grant aforesaid s1uùl be
snbject exdusively to tlawsand sovereign authority of the United
St.a.Wduring the terms of suclease andgrant an-dof any renewa.I
or renewals thereof. 217
ARnCLEm
In consideration of the foregoing stipulations and for the purposes
<:ontemplated bythis Convention and for the purpose of reducing
the present indebtednéss Nicaragua., the Government of the United
States shall, upon the date of the exchange of ratification of this
()onvention, pa;r. fur the benefit of the Republic of Nicaragua. the
fiWllof three million dollars United States gold coin of the present '
weight and fineness, to be deposittothe order of the Government
-ofNicaragua in such bank or banks or witb such bank:ing corporation
as the Government of the United States may determine,beoapplied
by Nico.ragua uponitsindebtedness or otber public purposes for the
advancement of the welfare of Nicar~a i.a mannar to bedeter
mined by the two High Contracting Parties, ali sncb disbursements
to be made by order.s drawn by the Minister of Finance of the Re
public of Nicaragua and approved ·by the Secreta.ry of Sta.te of the
United States or by such person as he madesi~a .te
.A.lmCLBI..
This Convention sball be ratified by the High Contracting Parties
in accordnnee with their respective laws, and the ratifications thereof
shall baexchangea ·at Washington as soon as possible.
In witness whereof the respective plenipotentiaries have signed'tbe
present treaty and bave affixed thereunto tbeir seals.
Done at Wa.sbi.ngton, in duplicate, in the Englisb and Spanisb
lan~age os,the 5th day of August,in the year nineteen bundred
and· fourteen,
(Treaty Series,624.)
BY TliE PRESIDENT OF 'l'BE UNITEDST.ATES OF AMElu:OA.
A PROCLAMATION.
Whereas a Convention batween the United States of America and
the Republicof.~ïcar grangig atothe United States the exclusive
proprietaryrights for the construction and operation of an inter
oŒnnic cnnal by a Nicaraguan :route, the lease of certain islands, and
the right to esto.blish a naval base on the Gulf of Fonseca, was con·
cluded o.nd signed by their respective PienipotentiatiWashing
ton, on the fifth· day of August, one thousand nine hundrefour~
teen, the original of which Convention, being in the English and ·
Spanish languages.is as amended by the Senate of the United States,
word for word as fo ows:
fThe treaty'asabove.J ·
Ànd whereas, the adv1ce and consent of the Sana.te of the United
States t.othe ratification of the said Convention was given with the
following proviso"Pr011'l.ded,ha~ wh,ereas,Çosta,Rica·Salvad~r
and Honduras have protested agamst the ratification of the satd
·Conventionin the fear or belief that said Convention miintsoma218 CONS-OLIDA TED TREA TY SERIES
respect impair existing rights of said States; tberefore, it is decle.red.
by th~Se~at th~ tnadvlsîng andconsen~ toinegratific oatio~
the s~u donvention as m1ended such adv1ce and consent are gwen
with the understanding, to be expressed as a part of the instrument
of ratification, thu.t nothing in said Convention îs intended to affect
a:nyexisting right of any of the said named. States;"
And whereas, the said understanding has been accepted by the
Government of Nicaragua ;.
And whereas, the sa1d Convention, as amenbydthe Senate of
the United States, hus been duly ratified on both parts, and the rati
fications of the two governments were exchanged in the City of
WaShington, on the twenty-second day-of June, ohe thousand nine
hundred and sixteen;
Now,·therefore, be it known tI,tWoodrow Wilson, President
of the United States of America, have caused the said Convention,
as amended, and the said understaildibe made Jmblic,tothe
end that the snme and every article and çlause therebe ob
served and fulfilled with good faith by the United States and the
citizens thereof. -
In testimony whereof, I have hereunt.o set my band and cu.used
the seal of the United States to be aflh:ed.
Done in the City of Washington this twenty-fourth of June in the
year of our Lord one tbousand nine hundred and sixteen,
[SEAL]and of the Independence of the"United States of America
the one hundred and fortieth.
WOODROW Wn.soN
By the Prerudent:
RoBERT LANSINo,
Secretary _ofState. Annex 21
Republic o_lCosta Rica v Repuhlic of Nicaragua, Central American Court of
Justice, Opinion and Decision of the Court, 30 September 1916
Source: (1917) Il AJIL 181-229 THE
AMERICAN JOURNAL
OF
INTERNATIONAL LAW
VOLUME 11
1917
PtmLISHFOR
TEE . MERICASOCIETY OF INTERNATIONALA.W
BY
ÛXFORUNIVl!ŒSPREss: 35WEsT32DS'!, EWYoRK,U.S.A.
Agent for Great Britain: Oxford UnLondonty Press, Amen Corner,
Agent for Toronto, Melbourne and BomPressOxford University JUDICIAL DECISIONS INVOLVING QUESTIONS OF
INTERNATIONAL LAW
1
COSTA. BICA. i:l, NICABA.G'O'A.
CENTRAL AMERICAN COURT OF JUSTICE
San Josd d6 OootaBiŒ, on tM tkirt dayeofhSeptember, nineteen
htmdred and si:d.een,tmen o'clock ,.m.
lN the action commenced md ma.in.tained by the Government
of the Republio of Costa. Rica against the Governmt_m of the Re
public of Nicaragua,erisingout of the conclusionof a treaty between
the latter andthe Governmentofthe UnitedStates of NorthAmerica.,
rela.tinto the constructionof an mteroeeanic éanal,the Court, hav
ing considered the proeeecüngs bad herein, hereby randers its decision
thereof.
It appea:rs:
That on the 24th of March of the current year the Licenti&te
don Luis Castro Urefla, e.ppearingin the name, and as the representa
tive, of the Govermnent of Costa Rica, in accordance with powers
to th&t end duly exhibited, brought before thls Court a compla.int
against .the Govemment of Nicaragua wherein were set forth the
argumentsof fact and law in support of his claims,together with the
evidence he considered pertinent to the action.
SECTION!
The Court being without a full bench because of the absence
therefrom of the member from .Nicaragua, and being thereby <fis...
qualified to pass upon the fust step in the proceedings invoked by
s Tra.Dala;tion publibyethe Costa Rica.nLegation, Washington, D.C.
The offioitextofthe decision iS conmiin La Gaceta(Costa Rica.October7,
1916.
181
HeinOnline--11 Am.J. Int'lL. 181 1917182 THE .AliEB.ICAN JOURNAL OF I.N'l'E:BNATION..U.LA.W
the complaint, the Pennab.ent Committee proceeded• to prescrlbe
the measure.s necessary for the immediate oompletion of the Court
and to that end dispatched a.n urgent telegram to the absent mem.
ber requesting him. to forego the enjoyment of the balance of his
vacation in view of the faot that the Government of Costa Rica.had
presented a complaint aga.instthe Govermnent oi his country. Antici
pa.ting,however, tha.t the judge might not be able to return imme
diately to his place on the bench, the Permanent Committee also
addressed itself to His Excellency the Minister of Foreign Relations
of Nicaragua. calling his attention to the situation and askïng him to
make the necesslll'y dispositions for the completion of the Court by
sending the eubstitute justice.
It appears;
Tha.t the absent justice, :inrep]y to these urgent a.ppeals,sta.ted.
that he would make a.neffort to retum to Costa. Rica on the next
steamer, and th&t, should this be impossible, he would immediately
so notify the Minister of Foreign Relations of his country. Ths.t
high.functionary, on his part, in a telegraphie dispatch of April 1,
stated tha.the had been. advised of the complaint brought before the
Court and tha.tthe telegraphie communication· addressed to him by
the Seereta.:ry of the Permanent Committee was a.nswered by the
reply he bad gi.ven to His Excellency the Costa Iücan Secreta.ry of
Foreign. Relations when the Jatter, in his tum, ha.d notified hi.m of
the presentation of the complaint and of the reasons that prompted
the Costa Rican Govemment to bring that action.
In the reply alluded to, the Nicaraguan Chancellor sta.ted,among
other thlngs, tha.t his Government, in entering into the trea.tywith
the United States, bad oonfined i"Œelfexolusively to the territoriaJ
limita of Nicaragua that belonged to her as'an independent sta.te,
seeking on1y to promote her welfare and progress and respecting in
aJl ways the integrity and legitima.te rights of the other Central
American Republics;
That Nicaragua had been at sll times perfectly qualified to enter
into contraets of the eha.racter of the Cham.Ol'l'O-oBrya Tnreaty, and
·tha.tshe was by no me&ns disposed to consent to a discussion oi
private rights pertaining to the inherent sovereignty of the sta.te;
That with respect to Costa Rica e.1lquestions tha.t bad been rife DECISIONS INVOLVING QUESTIONS OF INTERNATIONAL LA.W 183
with Nicaragna at other periods relating to the frontier and to par
ticipation inthe interocea.oie canal bad been decided once and for
ever by the aw8l'd of President Cleveland;
Tha.t Nicaragua. had strictly complied with tha.t award, as she
stood rea.dy to do when the time should come for granting conces
sions for the construction of the interoceanic canal; but ~tha wti,h
respect to the rights which that award insured to Nicaragua as sole
so;vereignover the tenitory inwhich said canalwas to be oonstructed,
snd as absoluteowner of the benefits tha.tshe might derive in com
pensation for the favars and privileges to be conced.ed by her Gov
ernmeut, she would not permit them 't9be made the subject of
judicial determination, since the a.wa.rd,by itsvery nature, is not
subject to revision or interpretation by any arbitral tribunal;
Tha.t the Central American Court of Justice was not competent
to admit such a.compla.int as the one brought before it by the Gov
emment of Costa Rica.,beeause, according to .Article I ofthe Con
vention of Wasb.iogton crea.tingtha.t Court,it oould only be clothed
with the character of an arbitral tribunal having jurisdiction over
controversies or questions a.risinbetween the signatory parties when
their respective chancelleries are unable to reach a settlement, and
when, in conformity with the article cited, resort to that Court
alone rernains, in casesin which any settlem.ent between the parties
bas become impossible a.fter the failure of the requiaite courses of
diplomacy;
Tha.t the Costa. ltican. Secretary of Foreign Relations has at no
time expressed to the Nicaraguan F-oreignOBice, either clirect.Jyor
indirectly, a single thought that would reveal his: Govemment's
opposition to the conclusion of the Brya.n-ChamoTrOTreaty;
That for these rea.sons the Govemment of Nicaragua considera
the complaint presented to be futile snd outside the competenoy of
the Central American Court of Justice, and,. in the full security of
its rights, believes it oan count on complete concurrence in this
viewpoint by the Court and on the refusaiof that tribunal to enter-
tain the proaeeding:; and - •
That, since consideration of the a.ction by the Central Ameri.can
Court of Justice would be without effect and a violation of the Con
vention of Washington of 1907, the Govermnen.t of Nicaragua trusts
tha.t the Court will adhere to the clear, explicit, and positive letter
of tha.t paot and withhold its consideration of thecase.184 'l'BE AMERIOAN J"OUB.NALOF l:N'l'EBNATIONAL LAW
SEoriON II
In its telegram dated the 26th of April of the present· yea.r,the
Nica.raguon Chancellery transmitted to this Court a.eopy of itsreply
to a.nother dispatch from the Costa Riea.nChancellery. In that reply
it confirmed and amplifi.ed the arguments contained in the document
referred to in the preceding p&ragra.phs, and a.dded tha.t Costa. Rioa.
pra.ys the Central .American Cotll't of Justice to declaxe the 1eg&l
incapaeity of Nicaragua. to enter into conventions df the nature· of
tba.twhich wassigned on the 5th of August, 1914, between the latter
Republic and the United States of America;
That on this point the Government of Nica.ragua hastens to declare
aga.in that Nicaragua not on1.yhas alwa.ysbeen, and will alwa.ysbe,
possessed of fulllegal capacity to enter into· and fulfilconventions
of this cha.racter, but holds as offensive to her dignity as a free and
independent nation any discussion of acts pertaining to her sovereigo.ty
- acts which in no case could become the subject of u:bitrament;
That, with respect to the Cleveland A ward, as to the interpretation
of which Costa Rica. believes diftererices exist that Bhould be ta.ken
into account by the Central Am.ericanCourt in order to determine
which of .the two Governments is right, the Nica:raguan Ch.a.ncellery
assertsthat that award, having once and forever resolved the di1fer..
ences that formerly existed between the two countries in relation to
frontiers and to participation in the interoceanic canal,precludas a.bso
lutely and by its very nature the claùn that it is subject to interpre
tation by any tribunal wha.tsoever, for :ifarbitral awards could be
the subject of revision at the will of either of the parties, a decision
of that kind could never be definitive in cha.racter and conflicts be
tween nations would never end;
That the power possessedin certain cases by the Central American
Court of Justice to·act as ap arbitral tribunaljs confined expresaly
to those questions whi.chmay arise between · "Statesfrom and after
the date on whicP. the orga.nic convention went into force among the
contracting parties, but tha.t under no conception could that power,
even by viola.ting the letter and spirit of the compact, extend to
ma.tters decided prior to the conclusion of tha.t organic convention;
That, on the other ha.nd, there basbeen no disa.greement between
the two Govermnents respecting the manner of interpreting the
s.wa.rd of President Cleveland; s.nd th.a.tsupposing the Costa. Rican DEO[SIONB mYOLVING QUESTIONS OF INTERNATIONAL LA.W 185
Govmunent should come to have doubts as to the validity and
ecope of that arbitral deŒon, thisCourt would not, in any case, be
the forum cha.rged with its interpretation, nor would those doubts
affect the Oham.orro--Bryan Treaty, which is wholly foreign to the
niatter;
And, finally, tha.t for these ressons the compla.int is wholly un
:reasonable and groundless, end tbat, in view of the foregoing, and
of the points set forth in the telegraof April!, the Centra.lAmerica.n
Court .oJustice should rejeet the compla;int presented by the Govern
ment of Costa.Rica; otherwise, itwould.flagrantly •viols.te the con
vention tba.t gaveit life anditsaction in the case would be an a.bsolute
nullity.
SECTION rn
Upon the return ofthe justicefrom Ni.ca.raguathe Court regained
its legalquorum on the 24th of April, and at itssession of the 1st
of May, following, took under consideration the compla.int presented,
which complaint contains the following elements set forth in two
parts in Chapters I and n ofthis decision.
FIRST PART
C!lA.PTE R
ABG'DMENTS OF li'AC'l'
It appears:
That the representative of the high party com.plain.s.nthas set
forth in his complaint the following a.l'JJumenfBf fact:
SECTION!
The.t in the beginning of April, 1913, his Governm.ent lea.rned,
through private sources, tbat the Legislative Assembly of Nicaragua.
bad just given itsa.pproval, in secret session, to a treaty (also covered
by secrecy) that bad beeu. concluded between the Govemment of the
Republic of Nicaragua and the Govermnent of the United States of
America, am.ong other things, for the opening of an interoceanic
canal through Nicaraguan territory. That this news, the fust it bad
received on the suojeat, moved the Costa Rican Governm.ent to186 THE AMEBICAN JO'UBNAL OF INTERNATIONAL LAW
instruct its Minister in Nicaragua. to present to the Government
of that Republic a fo:rmal diplomatie protestaga.instthe execution of
the canal pa.ctreferred to.,on the ground that the Govemment of
Costa. Rica.conceived, and would continue to eonceive, suoh. a.nact
to constitute a :flagrant viola.tion of existin.gtreaties between the two
cotmtries and of the Cleveland Awa.rd.
SECTION TI
That at the same time that that diplomatie protest was being
made, the Costa Riea.n plenipotentia.ry at Washington, following
instructions from his Govermnent, brought before the Government of
the United States of America.a simiJar diplomatie proteat against the
conclusion, on the part of Nicaragua, of the canal convention above
mentioned, setting forth, as was done in the protest before the Nicl!r
ragua.u Government, the conviction tbat the pact cot.ùd only, at best,
be held 'to be a nullity if account were taken of Nicaragua's legal
inèapacity to negotiate in the premises because of her failure previ~
ouslyto consult the opinion of Costa Rica rega.rding thŒe negotia.tions
and even to ask her acquiescence in the matter.
SEcTION ill
Tha.t His Excelleney the Nicaraguan Minister of Foreign Rela-
tions,in hie note of June 12, 1913, replied to the protest of the Costa
Rican.Minister, informing him that "the Govemment of Nicaragua
exerclseda right of incontestable sovereigntywhen it entered into the
convention of Febrwuy 8, 1913, with the United States, which con
vention bas been kept secret fqr reasons of ari internationachs.ra~tter
tha.t affect not it alone; but declares in the most positive manner
tha.t, in entering into that pact, itbas not ignor and rigbt that
belongs to Costa Rica; nor bas it com.mitted any violation of the
treaties aisting between the two nations"; tha.t "that convention
.• tends towards procuring, as far as possible, the construction of
an interoeeanic canal through a route exelusively Nica.raguan"; that
the convention "merely deols with a preferential right, gra.nted to
the United States, to open an interoceanic passageway tbrough a
route to be designa.ted out of national territory when it shall be de
cided, by agreement between the two Governments, to undertake
the construction thereo1 at which time the conditions under wbich the DECISIONS INVOLVING QUESTIONS OF INTEBNA'l'IONAL LAW 187
canal shall be constructed, operated, and maintained will be deter
mined by a further treaty or convention between the contracting
parties"; that tttherefore, dealing with a simple option for a canal
concession, Nicaragua, as sole aovereigno •·' the territory that will
be the site of the great undertaking, is wholly within her incontest
able rights in entering singly and alone into tha.t engagement"; and
tbat "in view of the foregoing, . . •the ideas expressed in the note
to which this is an answer are in every regard unreasona.ble, for,
as bas been ahown by an abunda.nce of reasons and arguments , hen
the convention iu question was entered into there was on the part of
Nicaragua. no violation of existinb trea.tiesnor discourtesy to Costa.
Rica, nor any disregard or forgetfulnessof ber legitimate rights.u
SEOTION IV
That La, IŒpublica, an independant news paper of this city, in its
issue No. 8810 of July 4, 1913 pu~blished thetext of the trea.ty which,
according to that paoer, had ··een signed by the Governments· of
Nicaragua. and the "f'mted States of America, relating to the opening
of the canal just referred to; and that, although the Government of
CostaRica did not a.ttribute authenticitytothe publication, itdesires
to make known the fact that Nica:ragua., who was aware of the
publication, did not disavow it either through the press or otherwise;
and that La Republica, was a journal violentlyopposed to the Govem
ment of Costa Rica.
That the Minister of Costa.Rica in N'J.Cal'agua, obedience to the
instructionsof his Government, plaeed in the. hands of the Nicaragua.n
Government a copy of the issue of the newspa.per referred to, to..
gether with a note in which he requested tobe informed "ea.tegorically
whethex the text of said convention astherein published is authentic,
as well generally as in eachof its pa.ragraphs, and, if not, that you
make the appxopriate corrections."
That His Excellency the Nicaraguan Secreta.ry of Foreign Rela
tions, inhis note of August 4, 1913, replied to the comm.UDica.tio of
the Costa. Rican Minister, informing him, "in confirmation of the
sta.tements conta.ined in my note of the 12th of last June, tba.t for
considerations of an intematioDal character tha.t involve not alone
my own Government, the latter is keeping secret the convention
en.tered intowith the United States on the 8th of last February i and 188 THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF IN'l'ERNA..TIONALLAW
tha.tsinee it relates to a pact not yet perfected, itis not proper for
the Govemment of Nicaragua, on its p~ for the reasons eontained
in its said note, to make any official declaration regardlng my of the
steps in suoh negotia.tions."
SEC'l'IONv
Tha.t la.ter, throughthe medium of the North American press; and
not officiallyhis Govermnent lea.med that the Benate of tha.tcountry
was considering a treaty whioh the Costa Rican. Govemment assumed
was the same that bad been reproduced in the newspaper La Repu
blicato which reference haa already been made, and the same alluded
toby His Excellency the Nicaraguan. Secrets.ry of FOl'eign .elations,
in his notes of June 12 and August 4, 1918, as ha.ving been signed by
the Governments of Nicaragua and the United States of America,
relating to the opening of a canal througb Niaaraguan tenitory,
and to otber matters tben unimportant to his Government; and his
Government also learned of certain steps undertaken by priva.te
indiViduals, interested in behalf of Costa Bica,. before difierent Sena
tors, to the end tbat when the treaty should be deba.ted in the Sena te
and the treaty ratified,the rights of that countiy in relation to the
construction of any intel'Ocea,uiccanal should not only not be lost
sight of but should be respected and gua.ra.nteed.
SEC'I'IONVI
That, unoffi.ciallytowards the middle of August, 1914, the Gov
ernment of Costa.Bica. wa.s assured that the trea.ty fm:a. canal a.cross
Nicaragua had been in fact tacitly withdfawn from consideration by
the Senate of the United States of America, but tha.t tha.tbody had
before it a.t the time another pact simila:r in groundwork at least
(inot identical) as·to a canalaoross Nica.ra.gua.and negotiated by the
same higb contracting pries that ha.d concluded the fust, that is,
the one bearing date of February 8 1913; but that ·the Government
1
of Costa. Rica received no officialnotice of the new pact, nor advices
respecting the signature and contents of the other agreement; nor
was itinformed respecting the then statue of the negotia.tionsin prog
ress, because these were conswnmated in the striotest secrecy, as
well on the pa.rt of the United States of Nortb America as on the
pa.rt of Nicaragua. DECISIONS INVOLVING QUESTIONS OF INTERNATIONAL LAW 189
8EC'l'IONVII
That for these reasons the Government of Costa Rica was una.ble
to fqrmulate exact objections against the trea.ty of Februar,Y,8, 1913,
rela;ting to an interoceanio canal a.oross Nicaragus.n territorynor
cQU.lditattack, except in the most general wa.y,any aruùogO'U 8 om
pact entered into la.ter by the sa.me parties, foaga.iŒt the solemn
and e.~Ii pcrimtisesof Nicaragua., her 1irst care on tha.t occasion
wasto conceal at all hazards from Costa. Rica her negotiations rela.t
ing"to the canal.
SE.c'l'IOVNIII
That the balance of the yea.r 1914 and aU of 19~5 passed with
out action by the North American Senate in the matter of theNica
raguan canal, ora.tleast, the Government of Costa Rica never hea.rd
anything to the contrazy; and tha.twhile Costa. Bica.'s mind was at
rest on the subject, theE1J611:iSntar of February 2, of the present
year, announced tha.t the Committee on. Foreign Relations of the
North American Senate had recommended to tha.t body the ratifi
cationof the treaty tha.t bad heen concluded more tlum a year before
by the Government of the United States with the Govemment of
Nicaragua, among other abjects, for the construction of an inter
oceanicca.nal through Nica.ragua.n teni.tory.
SECTION IX
That on reading the advices published in the Washington Star,
the Costa Ricau Legation a.Washlngton hastened to dispatch to the
State Department of North America. a ca.refullthought out note in
which the Govemment of the latter country was a.ppealed to to pre
vent the ratification by the Benateof the pact in question on the
1
ground that itwas openly opposed to existing treatiesbetween Costa.
Rica and Nica.ragua, to the Cleveland Award, and to the harmonious
sentiments that animated His Excellency the Chief Executive of the
United States towards all the peoples of the Americas according to
the tben recent public and official declaratithat bad been made by
him before over a thousand delegates from different nations tha.t
malΠup the America.n continentj and that with the same object in
view the attomey for the Costa. Rican Legation a.t Washington,
Harry W. Van. Dyke, Esquire, published a memorandum addressed190 THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF INTERN'A.TIONALLA.W
to the Am.eriea.n Senate; but tha.t effort failed as did the eft'ortsoi
Costa Riaa's Diplomatie Representative at Washington, for the
Oonrp-essiona RZecord of the 18th of Februacy of that year reeorded
the news tha.t the United States Benate, in executive session of the
same day, bad ratifi.ed a convention between the said Republio and
that of Nicamgua, which had been subscribed ~t Washington on the
5th of August, 1914, and which, with additions adopted by that
body, as tra.nsla.ted into Spanish by the persoDal attorney of Costa
Rica (because it bas been impossible for that Government to secure
a cdpy of the original Spanish text), reads a.sfollows:
The Governtllentof the Ubi.ted Stateof.America .nd the Government ofNiea~
ragua being animated by thedesireto atrengthen their ancient and cordial friendship
by the most sincere coapera.tionfor aU purpoaes of their mutual adva.ntage and
interest andto provide for the possible futurconstruc.tioofan interoeea.nie ship
cana.lby wa.y ofthe San Juan River a.ndthe great Lake of Nioa.ragua.or by any
route over Ni~ terrltory, wheneverthe construction ofsuoh canal shsl1be
deemed by the Govenunent ofthe United States conduoive tothe interests of both
count:ries, and the GovermnenofNlcaragua wishingto faoilitate in evewa.ypossi
ble thesuooessfulmaintenance and operation ofthePanama Canal, thetwo Govern
ments have resolvedto conoludea conventionto these ends,and have aooordingly
appointed. as their plenîpotentiaries:
The President of the United Statie$,the Hon. Wllliam Jemüngs Bryan, SecretiUy
of State; and
The President of Nicaragua., Seiior Generel Don Emiliano Chamorro, Envoy
Extraozdinary and Mmister Plenipotentia.ry of Nicaragusto the United States:
Who, having exhibited to eachother their respective full powers, found to be
in good and due form, ha.ve agreed upon andconcluded the followioga.rlicles:
ARTICLE 1. The Govemmentof Niea.raguagmnts in perpetuity tothe Gov
ermnent of the United States, forever free froaltaxation or other public charge,
the exclusive proprietary rightsneeessa.ry!~J codvenient for the construction,
operation, and.lDaÏDteDance of an interoceanic canal by way of the San Juan
River and the great Lake of Nicaragua or by wa.y of azzyroute over Nicamguan
territory, thdetailsof the terms upoowbich such ea.naslhall be construoted, oper
ated, and maintainedto baagreed toby the two Govemments whenever the Govem
ment of the United States sball notify the Oovernment of Nicaragu& of its desire
or intentionto constructsuch canal.
AM. TI. To ena.blthe Government of theUbi.ted Statestoprotect the Panama.
Canal and the proprietary rightsgra.ntadto the Governinent of the United States
by the foregoing article, and alsto enable the Govemment ofthe United States
to take any measure necessary to the ends contemplated herein, the Government
of Nicaragua.hereby leaseafor aterm.of 99 yeara to the Government oCthe United
Sta.tea, the islands the Caribbean. Bea known as Great Corn Island and Little
Corn Island; and the GovernŒent of NicaragUa further grantsto the Government
of the United States for a.like period of 99 yeaΠtlie riestablish,operate, and DECISIONS INVOLVING QUESTIONS OF INTERNA.i'IONAL LAW' 191
maintain a naval base atSU<lhplaceon the territoryof Niou-aguaborderingupon
the Gulf of Fonsee& as the Governmentof the United States may se1eot. The
Government of the United St&tesshaU have the option of renewingfor a.furtber
term of 99 yearsthe àboveleasesand grantsupon theexpir&tionof their respective
terme,it beingexpresslyagreedtha.tthe territory hereblesseda.nctlhe naval base
whioh may be mainta.ined onder thegrant &foresaidshallbe subjeot exolusively to
the laws and sovereigna.uthori.tof the United States during the terms of sueh
leaseand grant and of anyrenewalor :renewalthereof.
Am>. m. In considerationofthe foregoingstipula.tiouand for the purpo.ses
eontemplated by this convention and for the purposeof reducingthe present in
debtednessofNicaragua,the Government of the Unit-edStates sball, uponthe date
of theexchange of ratificatiofthisconvention,pa.yfor thebenefitofthe Jtepublic
of Nicaragua the S1lDof 83,000,000UDitedStates goid coin,of thepresent weigbt
and fineness,tobe depositedto the order ofthe Government of Nicaraguain such
bank or banks or with such banking corporationas the Govermnent of the United
States may determinet,o be appliedby Nica.ra.guau.pon its indebtednessor other
publicpurposesfor the advancement ofthe welfa.rofNicaragua.in a maDD.e l' be
detennined by the two bigh contraoting:Ps.rti,snauchdisbursementsto bemade
by orders drawn by the Ministerof Finance ofthe Republic of Nicaragua.and ap
p:rovedby the SeoretaryofSte.teof the UnitedStates orby 511chpersonB8 he may
designate.
ART.IV. This conventionshall be ratifteby the high contrachlngpartiesin
aooordancewiththeii-respectivelaws,andthe ra.tifica.shereofshallbeexohanged
at Washington.as soonas possible.
In witness whereof the l'eS}lootÎveplenipotentiarles have signed the present
treatyand b&ve afti."there.untotbeirseals. . "
Done at Washington,in duplicate, inthe EngliBhand Spanish Ia.ngnag.:s,on
the.5thday ofAugust, in theyear 1914.
WILLLW JENNINGS BRYAN.[mur..]
Emumo Ca.u.roBBO. [SEAL.J
SECTION x
Tha.t as soon as the ratification of the Bryan-Chamorro Treaty
by the United States Benate a.ppeared in the C~l ReŒrd,
the Costa. RiŒn ~a.ti at n ashington gave careful study to the
document, and, ha.ving become convinced that its contenta were
notoriously contradietory of the unquestionable rlghts of Costa. Rica
established in the Caiias-Jerez Treaty, the Cleveland A ward and the
Central .AmericanTreaty of Washington, hastened to la.y before the
North American Foreign Office, under date of the 21st of Februa.ry,
of the present year, a protest, respectful but vigorous, against the
action of the Sena.te- the only step which, at the moment, could
have been taken by a country possessed of no forees or defense but
the law.192· mE .AMERIC!AN .TOlJRNALOF INTERNATIONAL LAW
That even up to this time, although the matter is no longer a
secret of state, Nicaragua. has not deigned to ma.ke any communi
cation to Costa lUca conceming the great problem. Meanwhile His
Excelleney, the United States Minister Plenipotentia.ry in Costa
Rica, did bave the goodness, under instructions from his Govern
ment, to send to the Costa Rica.n Secretary of Foreign Relations a.
courteous note, in which, supposing evidently that Costa. Rica. was
fully informed concerning ali tba.thad taken place, he advised him
tha.t the United States Senate, on the 18th of that month, had, by
a vote of 55 to 18, CODSEmtetd o the ratification of the Nicamguan
Canal 'l.'rea.ty,and had made two amendments, copy of which he
enclosed, together with copy of a.resolution of the Senate tha.t reads
as follows:
Pttmdeil,That whereas Costa Rica, B&lvador,and Honduras have protested
againstthe ratification of said convention in the fear or belief that said convention
migb.t in some resp$Ct impair emtingrigb:taof aaid states, thereforit is de-
olaredby theBenate that in advising and consen.tingto the ratificatiof the
said convention as amended, such adviee and consent are givewith the und~
standingto be expressedas partof theinstrument of ratification that nothing in
said conventionis intendedto affeotany existing rights of any of thesnamed.
at&tes.
The complaint adds tha.t a.tthe moment of receiving tha.t com
munication..from Bis Excellency the .America.nMinister, the Govem
ment of CostaRica was completely in the dark as to the language of
the ·trea.t_inquestion.
CHAl"l."l!lIB
LEGAL BA.BEB
It appears:
Tha.t ,the high parly compla.ina.n:tr;elies for support of its action.
upon the following legal antecedents:
8EcTJ:oN I
The trea.ty of limits entered into between Costa Rica and Nica.-.
ragua on the l5th of April, 1858, end known as the C~eres
Treaty, stipula.tes in its conducive part as follows:
ABor.6. The RepubUc of N'lC8.1'8gs.hall haveexclusivedominion and the
higbestaovereignty over the watersothe San Juan IUver from their issue out of134
DECISIONS INVOLVING QUESTIONS OF INTEBNATIONAL LAW 193
the lake to theirdisoha.rgeintothe Atlantic; butthe Republio of Costa Rica. shall
have in thosewaters perpetual rigb.tsoffreenavigation from the saidmouth of the
riverup toa point three Eng1ish milesbelow Cs.stilloViejo,for purposes of com
merce, whether with Nicaragua.or with the interlor of Coaf;e.ica, over the San
CarJos or Sarapiqui rivers or any other eourse startingfrom the part whioh has
been established as belongingto thatrepublie on the baaks of the San Juan. The
vesselsof either country JD&Y touch at any part of the banks of the river where
the .navigationis eommonwithout paying a.nydues exŒpt suohas may be estab-
lishedby agreementbetweenthe two Govemments.
~. 8. If the contracta for ca-nalizationor transit entered into before the
Niearaguan Govemment bad knowledgeof this convention should for any ca.use
ceaseto be inforce, Nica:ragu&agrees not to conclude any othersze1a.tingto the
objects above stated withoutfirsthearing the opinionof the Costa.Rican Govern·
ment .respectingthe disadvautages tha.t may result to t1le twcountdes, provided
th&t opinion be givenwithin thirty da.ysafter therequeat thereforshallb&ve been
reŒived, in oasetbat the NioaragwmGovemment should indioate tho.t a dec.ision
is urgent; andin the eventthat theenterprise shouldcauseno injury tothenatural
:rig:htsoCostaRica, th&t opinion shall beadvmory.
8EO'l'IONll
By the Esquivel-Romtn Con:vention, entered into by Costa Rica.
and Nicaragua. on the 24th of December, 1886, both Republics sub
mitted to the unappeala.ble arbitral decision of Bis Excellency, the
President ci the United States of America, the question that bad
long been rite between the two Republics above mentioned concern
ing the validity of the Cafias-Jerez Boundary Treaty, Article VII of
which lirst-named treaty provides as follows:
The arbitral awa.rd, whateveitmay be, shall be heldby thecontraoting pa.rt.ies
to be a perl'e&tnd obligatorytrea.ty,itshall admitof no :recouŒewhatsoever and
its execution shaU commence thirty da.ya alterha.vingbeen noti1ied to the two
Governments or theirreï>resenta.tives.
8EC1'ION ffi
The Cleveland .A.wardrendered on the 22d of Ma.rch, 1888, as
the outgrowth of the agreement conta.ined in the Esquivel·Român.
Convention eonta.ins the following definite findings re.specting the
Ca.fisS...JermTreaty of Limits and especially respecting the two
articles transcribed from tha.t pact:
Firat. The above-mentionedTreaty of Limits,sig:uedon the 15th da.yof April,
one thousand eight hundred and :fifty-eight, is valid.
Second. The Repubne of Costa.Rica under sa.i.d tŒa.ty and the stipllla.tions
conta.inedinthe eixtharticlethereof,has not the right ofnavigation ofthe River 194 TBE .AMERIOAN .JOUBNAL OF INTEBNA.'riONAL LA.W
San Juan with.vessels ofwar; but. she may navigate said riverwith suoh vessels
of the revenue serviceas may be rel&ted t.oand oonneoted with her ~oym.en oft
the 1purposes of commerce"accordedto ber in said article, or as may be necessary
to tbe protection of sa.enjoyment.
Th:ûd. With respect to the points of doubtful interpretation eomm.unica.ted
as aforesaidby the Republic of Nicaragua, I'deoideas follows:
10. The Repuboo of Nicaragua :remainsbound not to ma1ΠMY gra.ntsfor
eanalpurposes across her tet:ritocy withoufirsasking the opinion ofthe Repubüc
of Costa Rica.,as provided inArticle VIII of the Trea.tyof Limita of the15th day
of April, one thousand eigb.thundred 8itldfift.y-eighThe natural rigb.ts of the
Republio of Costa. Iüca.alluded to in the sa.istipu1ationare the rights which, in
view of t1ieboundaries :fixeby the said Treaty of Limita,abepossesses in the soD
thereby recognized liBbelonging e:Œlusively to her; therlgbts wbioh ohe possesses
in the hs.rbors of San Juan del Norte and SalinasBa.yj and the r.ightwbioh she
possessesin so much ofthe river Sa.nJuan as liesmore than tbroo Englishmiles
below Castillo VŒjo, measuiing from the exteri.ofortificationsof the said caetle
as thesame existed in the year 1858; and perbaps other righta not herepartioularly
specified. These rights a.reto be deemed injured in any case where the teni.tory
belonging to the Republic of Costa.Rica isoccupiedor flooded; where there is a.n
encroa.obznentu.pœ~ eitherof the aaid harbonr injurious to Oost&Rica.; or where
there is suoh an obstruction or deviation ofthe River San Juan as to destroy or
seriously impairthe navigation of the sa.idriver or anof its bt'a.llCheaany point
where Coota Rie&is entitledto ne:vigatethesam.e.
11. The Ttea.ty ofLimits of the15th day ofApriJ,onetbousand eighthundred
and fifty-eighdoesnot giveto the Republic of Costa.Rica.the :righto be a.pa.rty
to granta which Nica:ragua.may make for interooeanio canals; though in ea.ses
where the constrnction.of the ea.nalwillinvolve an injury to the natural ri.ghtof
OŒta.Rica., be11opinionor advice, asmentionedin Articlevm of the tŒa.ty,should
be more than advisoty''or "CODBUitative.'I 't would seem insuch cases that her
consent is necessa.ry,and that she may therenpon demand compeDBa.tion for the
concessionabe is asked to make; but sheis not entitled as s.rigbt tosharein the
profits tha.the Republie of Nicaragua. ma.y reserve for herselfas s. compensation
for suchfs.vorsand privilegesas ohein ber tum, may concede. .
SECTION IV
That the Cafias..Jerez Treaty (the Trea.ty of Limits) has preserved
its full ob1igatory force a.nd efi'ect down to the present da.y, as well
by virtue of the categorical holdings in the Cleveland Award, whieh
are set forth in the complaint, as by virtue of the permanent ohar-
. acter of its stipulations. Wherefme, in the absence of mutual consent
by the contracting pa.rtie8, the treaty cannot be la.wfully denotmced
or held to be dead, nor oe.n the agreements therein stipula.ted be
avoided so ]ong as Costa Rica and Nicaragua. continue as free nations, DEO!SIONS INVOLVING QUESTIONS OF INTERNATIONAL LAW 197
of commerce, whether with Nicaragua. or the interior ofCosta Rica.,
through _any of the waterways o~ that country tha.tfio1Vor may
flow into the San Juan; it also gives to Costa Rica.n. vesse1s the
right, ex:empt from imposts of any class, to touch at points on the
Nicaragua. banks oftha.triver alongthe part thereof inwhichna.viga
tion :iscommon, a.nd putE Costa.Rican vesselsof the revenue service
on the same footing with the mercha.D.v tesselsof the same country
(Costa.Rica) in ordertha.tthey may protectitsrights or for the sa.id
purposes of commerce.
That, with regard to the Sa.nJuan Biver, the conventiona.l rights
of Costa Rica are, in a certain sspeçt, Jess thau the corresponding
rights of co-ownership (condominio): CostaItica.,for exa.mple,cannat
ply tha.tstream with war vessels as, of course,· Nicaragua. cau do;
but, on the other hand, those rights are greater than those of a
mere co-owner (copropietario)because the Costa Rican vessels, aswell
merchantmen as revenue cutters, in the zone in wbich na.vigs.tiois
common, have a free course over the whole river, throughout its
lengtb. and breadth, and free access, exempt from im.posts, to any
point on the Nicaraguan shore.
That, if the United States, under the authority of the Bryan..
Chamorro Treaty, should construct. the interocea.nic canal over the
San Juan River route- the absolute ownership of whioh has been
umeservedly ceded to her by Nica.ragua.- it is easy to imagine the
destiny in stme for Costa Rica.'s rights to navigation of the San
Juan River.
That, this being the case , ica.ra.guforget completely, in exe
cuting the treaty, tha.tshe cotùd.not dispose unrestrictedly of the
San Juan River because inand to tha.t gift of nature CostaRica.also
possesses perfectly clear rights of a practical importance perhaps
equal to that of Nica.ragua's rights;this aU the more so since she
sought to cancel them absolutelyby mea.ns of a conveyancethat is
a nullity in every BBpect,in so far as it covers the rights of atmrd
·party- Costa Rica. A sale of a thing that does not beloug to the
selleris null. This is an eterna1 anom of law, a.:nd,it may be said,
of orga.nio justice, emong an peoples who hold themselves to be
œ~. -
That the canal, looking at the matter from another viewpoint,
would result,infact, inca.usinga dimUDition of CoSta Rican territory
that ioda.yreaches in reality,_ina certainsense,from the Nlcaragua.n198 THE A.MERICAN JOURNAL OF INTERNATIONAL LAW
bank of the San Jaun Biver, from a.point three Englûilimiles below
Castille Viejo, following the current, as far as the Atlantic Ocea.nj
and that, notwithstanding this, èasta. Rica's opinion bas not even
been consulted in the matter.
(b) 008f..R.i.ca'AeBent
That by virtue of the Cafi.as.Jerez Treaty and the Clevelandward,
Costa.Rica haa a . consultat:ivoice wbich Nica.ragua ~ invoke in
arder to enter into any agreement tha.t purposes to· ca:rry through a
project for the construction of a canal on her soi!; butha.t,ifby the
undertakillg the na.tural rights of Casta Rica. should be injured,
that voice ceasea to be consultative and becomes converted into a
decisivevoice. 'l'hat isto say, he adds, if the work should portend
any injury to Costa. Rica, the ls.tter must be brought in as a pa:rt:u
to the undertaJring.
That, even bad there been no Cafias-J erez Treaty or Clevela.nd
Award, the last-sta.teconclusion would stand, since it is no more
than a maxim of equity; but that this time Nica.ragua was entirely
led astray, and that in spitoi the protesteof CostaRica, and against
them, she permitted herself to contract alone with the United States
in a c&JJBp lroject, thereby unquestionably tmmpling upon the rights
of Costa Rica, which she more thau any other was under obligation
to safeguard.
Tbat Nicaragua. did not even invoke Costa Rica.'sconsultative
voice, which was mandatory in this emergency, and tha.tthe canal
convention, whieh was guarded so carefully and for sa long a time
kept secret by the United States and Nicaragua, being now known in
aU its details, CostaRica.ca.nnot remain quiet and speeobless, because
that paot, from the moment in which. itvirtua.llya.ttacksher rights
of navigation of the San Juan River and the integrity of ber national
territory iDthat direction,C8JlllOpass unnoticed by Costa.Rica 1ho,
a.rmed with her right, maintains that tha.t convention cannot be a.
law to any party without her a.cqwescencein auch clauses as gra.vely
menace ber in.terests.
1
(c) Nauigationqj NicŒrfJ{J tUMJo:ritimeWaters
Tha.t the Central American Treaty of Waslrington provides tha.t
the m~ant vessels of any of the signa.tory nations shall have equal DECISIONS INVOLVING QUESTIONS OF IN'rEB.NATIONAL LAW 199
rigbts with the national vessels of eaah of the other contracting pa;r-o
ties when in another's seas.,coasts,or ports.
That Nicaragua. thus limited, infavor .of her sisters of the form.er
Federation of the Center of America- . as they in their tlll'did for
ber benefit- her enjoyment of her maritime wa.ters,coa.sts, and
ports, for the period of ten years, which period bas not yet- elapsed
and which is prorogable indefinitely from year to year.
That in consequence Niearagua bad not the power to give to the
United States for a term.of yea.rs a valid conveyance of any part of
her littoral and waters :inthe Gulf of Fonseca and of her Corn Islands
in the Caribbea.nSe&,without the obligation stipulated in Article rx:
of the Treaty of Washington; nor could she kill the said trea.ty in
fact without the concurrenceof the will of the other contraoting
parties.
That an impediment of equal force existe to the sale of the teni
tory that may be occupied or needed by the interoceanie ca.na.whilst
that.~tio novers parts of Nicaraguan land or water afl'ected by the
Central Ameriean Treaty of Washington, since no onecantraM/er
morerightsthan he kas nor tho8ethat he doe8not possess.
That by ArticleIV of the Cafias..Jerez Treaty, Salinas Bay on the
Pacifie Ocean, and the Bay of San Juan del Norte in the Atlantic,
are common to Costa Rica and Nicaragua; and that, in consequence,
if the United States should elect the two baya mentioned as the heada
or entrances of ber canal, the rights of Costa Rica in tbose baya would
vanish down the horizon of history unless right and justice should
retain their sway over the conscience of the North Ameriea.npeople.
That from the foregoing it is indisputable that in sJlthat relates
to a canalacross her territory, and, in general, in what concerna the
navigation of ber waters, Nicaragua.'s sovereignty is Iimited by the
treaties and conventions eited, wbich paets neeessarily modify her
personality and rest:ricit within the limitsprescnoed by ber solemu
agreements.
That the complainant refrains from specially invoking any prin
ciples of international law because of the fact that, Costa. Rica's
rights being based upon perfect contracta signed with and by Niear
ragua.,it is to those instruments alone tha.t she must have recourse
for the solution of the differencetbRt hs.s a.risenfor the contract is
the supreme law between the parties whether they be simple individ~
uals or collective· political entitiesThat the case now before the200 THE AMEB.ICAN JOURNAL OF INTEB.NA'l'IONAL LAW
Court is one of pure civilaw, and the legislationof Nicaragua.as
well as tha.tof Costa Rica. and ali nations on the ·globerecognize
the ~comma stada iof ge contract as the legal bond between
the parties. Tha.tas between states,the contraotis something more
than a.n obl.iga.torytie:"respect forwhat has been agreed upon,
and the faithful fulfillmenthereof,&re the cornerstonesof national
honor and there is no defense effective enoughto justify s.evasion
of that canonu
CB.APTEI RV
COMPLA.INT AND l!!VIDENCE
It appears:
Tha.twith the complaint,the contents of whichhave been set forth,
the attorney for the high partcomplaina.ntfilesduly legalizecopies
of the followiogdocuments:
A.- Attomey's .credentials.
B.- Cafias-JerezTrea.ty.
C.- Esquivel-Romft.nConvention.
CH.- The Cleveland Award.
D. - General Trea.ty of Peace and Friendship between the Re
publicsof CentralAmerica..
E.- Conventioncrea.tingthe Central Amenca.n Court of Justice.
F.- Costa Rica's protest lodged with Nica.ragua, on the 27th
of April, 1913.
G.-Costa Rica's protest lodged with the United States on the
17th of .April1913.
B.- Nicaragua's reply of June 12, 1913.
I.- Inquiry a.ddressedby Costa Rica to Nicaragua July 30,
1913.
J. - Nicaragua's reply of August 4,followiûg.
K. - Report on the Foreign Relations of Nicaragua., 1914.
L.- La Repûblica, No. 8810, containing Chamorro-Weitzel
Treaty si.gneda.t Managua, Februa.ry 8, 1913.
LL. -Statement of .Mr. John N. Popbam before the Committee
on Foreign Relations of the United States Sena.te.
M.- Costa Rica's note of Februa.rjr 211916, to the United
States. DECISIONS INVOLVDiG QUESTIONS OF :unmtNATION.AL LA.W 201
N. -Memorandum of Harry W. Van Dyke, Esquire 1before the
United States Benate.
.M.- Co~na.l ReŒrd, No. 49, of Washington, containing
Sena.te resolution ratifying Brya.n-Chamorro Treaty.
O.-. Costa.Rica!s protest of Februa.ry21, 1916,lodged with the
umted States.
P. -Note of same day from the United States Legation a.t
San.José de Costa.Rica to the Costa.Rican Govermnent.
Q.-The ClevelandAward. (same as a.ppendix OB).
R. - Reply of the United States to the protesta of Costa Rica.
And,after invokingArticle lst of the GeneralTreaty of Peaceand
Amityand qJ t.hsCon1J61U foorthe estabZi3hme nfta CentraA l merican
Court ofJ'U8f:iceconcludedon the 20th of December,1907,by the :live
Central American Republics, for the purpose of showing the huis
diction of this Court, the attorney for the high party eomplainant,
for the reasons set forth in bis oomplaint, and the resources of di·
plomacy ha.ving been exha.usted, pr&y.s this Co,urt to render final
judgment after due legal procedure in this action wbich he hu brought
aga.iŒt the Govermnent of the Nicaragua.n Republic, as follows:
Firsl.-That the Bzyan-Cbamorro Treaty, to which paragraph 15 of the
foŒgoing arguments of fact rel&tesmates therightaof Costa.Rica.tha.t were
acquired under the Oafias-JerezTreaty, the Clevela.ndAward, IUldthe Central
American Trea.tyof Washington,in that-
(a) Costa Rica.wasnot consulted by Nicaragua in ordet'to enter into that
convention;
(b) The exeoutionof that pact may deprive Costa.Rica of hetigbtsof free
navigationinthe San Juan Riverfromits outlet in the Atlanupcstreamtowithin
tbreeEnglish milesof OastillViejo,and may prevent Costa. RleavesseJsinthe
marchant or liscalservicfrom touching a.t points on tba norlihbanks oftbat
river aloxlgthe line indiea.ted;
(e) The execution of the pact may also da.mand diminish theCosta.Ricau
Bhoresof theaa.idriveralongths.t line, as we1las the mouths of Costa.Rican
:riveŒthat empty into theSan Juan,and thelands about saidshores and river
mouths;
(d) The execution of the pacmay also prejudicthe co-ownershipof Costa
Rica inSan Juan delNorte Ba.yand SalinasBay, andm.e.nWlifytbat co-ownersbip
entirely;
(e) Becauseof the potential injuries indioa.t(b},.(cand (rl)the decisive
opinionof Costa Ricais neoessaryand indispensablto the perfectingof the pact,
and tbat opinionhasneither beengivenor askedfor; and202 THE AMERIOAN JOURNAL OF INl'ERNATIONAL LA.W
(f) The ~ with regard to the leasing to the United States of Nica.raguan
terrltory fora na.val base in the Gulf of Fonse~ and of Great Com hland and.
LittleCorn Islandwbich!{ioaragua.possessesintheCal-.ibbesn Bea, makesnoreserva.
tion whatever in favor of Costa. Rica. . hosevesselspossess, in ali the maritime
wa.ters,COJIBatsnd ports of Nicaragua, the right to be trea.teas na-tional vessels
of Nioaragua- an omissionwhiah ipso fado rend!m! nugatory Article IX of the
Central.American Treaty of Washington.
Second.- That the violation of Costa. Rica.'s rightin the particulars above
set forth,or in any one of them, rentiers the said Bryan-Chamorro pact void, par
tioularlyin view of the factths.twhen itwas aignedboth contra.cting parties weil
knew of Nicaragua.'slaok of legal capacity to sigD.unrestrictedly; that iB,they
knew of Nioara.gua.'isncapaclty tosign.without holding harmless the righfs wbich
Costa. Rica poBSeBSe iS the waters and territorieathat areinvolved in the conven
tion, and .
Tlrird...T.ha.tthe acta and otnissiGnsset forth in the two preeeding points
render the saidBryan-Chamorro Treaty nulland void and without affect,espeeia.Ily
with respect to Costa. Rica, and tha.t the Court declare and adjudge said
trea.tyto ben.ulland voidand without effect.
Finally, in an .interlocutorypetition, oomplaina.nt'sattorney prays
the Court tha.t, under the authority of Article XVTII of the conven
tion oreating this tribunal, in order to prevent damages and confiicts
that :ma.yperhs.ps be irreparable Iater, a.ud pending the final decision
in the .case,the Court will issue an a.ppropri&tedecree-
(A) Ordering, with relation to a canal across N'108.l'aguanrritory,and with
relation touy:thing tha.t ma.yinterferegenerallywith the navigation ofthe waters
of tba.tRepublio,.thatthe atatusquoofthe right that existedin Costa . icapri.orto
the Bryan-ChamorroTrea.ty,which ghresriseto thisaotion,be maintained, and
(B) Direoting tbat,.in viewof the urgency of thematter, a communication be
sent by telegr&ph to the Most Excellent, the Governmentsof Nicaragua and the
United States of .America.,to be followed immediately by continuation by mail,
notifying them, with aU due fonnality, of the institution of this action and the
decree pra.yedforin thepreŒding paragre.ph{A), if,asI venture tohope,my pra.yer
for sueh precautiona.ry measureehallbe aceeded o. · DECISIONS INVOLVING quESTIONS OF IN'l'ERNA.Tl9NAL Lé.W 205
That the complaint, then can only have been inspired by the
Chamorro-Bryan. Tre&ty; but tba.t with respect to tbat pact, the
party complainan.tconfesses tha.t it bad not initiated, much Jess
pursued and brought to an.end, any steps through diplomatie channels.
How, the:n, he continues, could it be said that it was impossible to
reach a. settlem.ent between the Foreign Oflices of the two couo.tries
if -not a. single effort thereto was made- a requisite sine gua non
(Article 1 of the COII.vention-)sa that the claim .ould be established,
once tentative diplomatie negotia.tions bad been exhausted?
That this being so, it isidle to .Attempt deductions, since they
could be based only on cODjecture. The truth of the allegationsof
fact must be demonstrated by aas or other classesof a.uthentic docu
ments (ArlicleXVII of the Rules of the Court); it isuseless to say
tha.t the complain.t relates to a simila.rconvention•. The rulea pre
seribed under the a.uthority of a.trea.tyrequire proofs, not mere pre-
text that may be a.vailed of by one party to elude the obligation
imposed. That as those proofs do not exist, nothinbas been adduced ·
to esta.blish the competency ofthe Central America.nCourt of Justice.
That tribunal cannat hold itself above the constituted law; it bears
no legal mission in thi,saft'm.
That, even on the supposition tbat the Chamorro--Brya.n.Trea.ty
were not simUs.r, but identical, in la.nguage with the Cham.orro
Weitzel pact, the latter not having bad any legal existence, is relegated
to the category of a mere rejected project,. and so true isthis that it .
. can be stated in an veracioumess tha.t the etfects produced with
respect to .Nicaragua, and the United States by the Cham.o~Br · yan
pact arose orspranginto being from the exohange of ratificationsof
the latter. That 1onsequently, what should be, and must be, proven
is that which has relation to the Cham.orro-Bryan Treaty.
Tha.t the CentralAmerican Courh of Justice could not, and ca.nncit,
legaJly preseind from tha.tlegal requirement without overstepping
its powers, or, wha.t amounts to the sa.me thing, without bringing
about the a.bsolute nullity ofaliitsacts; and that everytbing it shaJl
decide, if iah.ould reachthe stage ofdecisiqn_,will be absolutely ntùl
and void for want of jurisd.Îction.
His Excellency the Nicaraguan Minister of Foreign Relations -then
refutes the votes of four of the members of the tribtm.althat were
cast for the admission of the complaint; and a.fterwa.rdshe aJleged
that the other important element tha.tmust be considered in this 206 TBB A:0ERICAN JOURNAL OF INTl!IBNATIONAL LA.W
matter- and this tbrows into bold reliefthe incompeteney of the
Central Ameriea.n . ourt of Justice- ttake cogniza.uce of the complaint
-is that which is prayed in the compla.int itself: uThat therein,
as though it were a matter that arose out of the relations between
two states signatory to the convention tha.t created this Court, the
Court is requested to render a decision in a ma.tter which in no wa.y,
and m none of its points, could be submitted to its cognizanoo.'"'
"We bid you enter,n sa.ys tb.e party compla.inant to the Central
American Court of Justice, "we bid you enter upon a forbidden
road which no one bas opened to you; plunge your scythe into an
other's whea.t; break an agreementsigned by one who bas entrusted
to you no mission to ta.ke oognizance of bis affa.:irs."This and
nothing else, he sa.ysis wha.t isasked when a decision inthe following
terms ia prayed for:
That the 'Violation the rightsofCosta. Rica inthe particulars heretofore
imputed, or by any one of them considered by itself alone, nullifies the said Chamorro
Bryan pact, particula:rly because both oontra.ating paknewesof Nica:ragua's
relativeincapaoit.y texecute thepact without restrictions-that ia, without
safegua.rdintherights CostaRica.pŒsesses inthe watersand la.n.dsinvolved in
the convention.
That, even limiting the viewpoint to the simple approval of &
treaty by the Nioaraguan Ccmgress- an a.pproval given under the
.authority of the powers confened upon tha.t body by the political
constitution- such pa.at could not come un.der the jurisdiction of
the Central.American Court, and even lessa decision as to the validity
of that act, em.B.ll8.tinas it did from a govemmental power exer
cising the sovereignty of the Republic. Tha.t the hypothesis might
perhaps be admitted tha.t sometimes the right exists to complain
because oi a violation, or for damages, or on some similar ground,
but never could the legal impossibility of nullifica.tion of sovereignty
be aslŒd,much less the nullificationof those a.otsin which· a third
bigh contracting party participates.
After other observations relating to this point, His Excellency
the Nicaragua.n Minister of Foreign Relations sets forth that his
"Government believes, and, through him, so deolarea,that it is un.der
no obligation to reply to the oompla.int of the Costa Rican Govem
ment beoa.use itca.nDot a.dmit, even eonditionaJly, the competeney of
the Court to talee cognizance of, and to decide, that complaint." DECISIONS lNVOLVING QUESTIONS OF IN'l'EBNA'I'IONALLA.W 209
Fijfll(Jue8Uon. -Is itthe duty of the Court,in viewof theforego questions
and decisionsthereof, to deolarethec0I11petency and jurisdiction of this Comt to
take cognizance of tliecomplaint?
Answeredaffirmatively by Jndges Meda.l, Orea.muno; Castro B.a.mirGza,nd
Bocanegra, and nega.tively by Judge Gutiérrez Navas.
~i:d Qut6tioll. - Iit t]le dutof the Court to declareits eompetencyto take
cogmzance or a.nddecide thiscs.useon the merits?
.Answered af6rmatively by aliof the judges,Judge GutiérrezNavas coilCtli'ring.
however,onlyin sofar as that the meritsrela.teto differencebetween the Govem.A
ment of Costa Rica and the Govemment of Nicaragua.
SeŒnth Qu.utûm.- Is the Court in duty bound to declare its competency to
take cognizance of,and decide, thiscause notwith8ta.ndingit relates tooontraotual
intere.stofa DatiOnnot subject to thejurisdiotionorthis Cow:tf
Answered affirma.tively by Judges Medal, Oreamuno 1 Castro RaiDirez, and
Booa.negra,a.nc legatively by Judge GutiérrezNavas.
article of the Ca&s-Jerez Trea.ty,underethe obligation to CODSUrtuJ.advanoetigthe
opio!onOfthe Governm.ent of COsta Rica respecl.inginjuries tha.t mightreswt to
the latter in conneotionwi.ththe C!fncession csntained in the :Brya.nMCbamorro
Trea.ty?
Answered a.ftirmatively by Judgës Medal, Oreamuno, Castro Ra.mfrez,and
Bocanegra,and negatively byJudge GutiérreaN : avas.
the tjght tobetheard deoisively re§Peeting the coocession foa.canalby way pofsthe
San Juan River and the Great Lakè Nicaragua.?
.Answeredaflirmatively by Judges Medal, Oreamuno, Castro Ra.mfrez:,and
Bocanegra, and negatively by Judge Gutiérrez Na.VSBw , ho maintained. tha.t no
evidenceon this point a.ppeared ithe case.
Tenth Question.- In the Brya.u-Chamotto Treaty does Costa Rica. possess
the riclltto be beard deoisivelyre§Peeting theca.nalconcessionin conneetion with
in :Pomt 10 orthenClevela.D.dAwardrare not affeoted?rights ofCosta.Rica specified
.Answered nega.tively by alof thejudges •
Trea.ty notbing is stipula.ted in protectionthenrightsoftCosta Ric8.?.n..Chamorro
.Answereda16rma.tively by Judges Medal, Oree.muno, Castro .Ramirez,a.Dd
Bocanegra, and nega.tively by JudgeGutiérrez Na.vus,who statedthst in his opinion
suoh stipulation wasnot necessa.ry.Bineethe rightsof a.thirdparty, which had not
taken pari;in thetreaty,nor a.ssent-eto itsnegotiation,could not be afiected; and
tha.thisopinion is based upon the doctrine ofgenerality set up by the textwriters
on internationalla.w.
7'we{flQuestion.- Is it thdut;y of theCourt tohold tha he Bgan-Chamorro
:rrea. tiolatedCosta.Rica.'s righta to freena.yiption by the ce8810Dof a.na.val
base m Fonseca. Bay, and the cession of the islaiids known as Great Corn Island
and Little Com Is1a.tid?210 TBE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF INTERNA'l'IONAL LA:W
The Court, inview of the facthat it bas agreeto the revisionofthéprevious
declsion, accepted the propositiofJudge Ozeamuno to substitute for the question
imm.ediately precedin1the foUowing:
accordedto bCostaRicatby ArticleN"merofthehTrea.tyofPeaoevand .Amity,of1907?ts
.Answered affirma.tively bJudges Medal, Oreamuno, Castro Ram1rez, an.d
Bocanègra,and nega.tivelyby J'udgeGutiérrezNs.vas.
decidetbat theQtrea.ty thagivesoccasionfor thisecom~laofthiin1a.tesrovisionsof
.theCaiiB8-..Terezundacy Trea.f.Yt.,e Clevela.ndAwarii,and theTreaty of Peace
and .Amity signedat Washingtonm 1907?
Answered aflirm.atively bJ'udgeaMedal, Oreamuno, Castro Ramfre2:,and
Bocanegra, and negatively by JudgeGutiérrezNavas.
F~ Qu.eation.-Can thisCourtdecide the pra.yerCODtain.ien.the second
a.nd.tbird pointofthe complaint? '
Allswerednega.tively by aJl the judges.
The cause is,therefore, decideda.follows:
Fîr8t. -The Court decla.resitselfcompetent to decidethe complaintpresented.
Second.- The Court declarestbat theGovemment of Nicaragua. bas violated,
t.othe i:ojurofOost&~ the rigb.ts conferrupon the.latter bthe CafhurJerez
Treaty of Limita of April15, 1858,the Cleveland Award of Ma.tclt22, 1888,and
theCentralAmerica.n Trea.tyofPeaceand Am.ity ofDecember20,1907.
ThinL - Respooting the prayer for the nullifi.cation of the Bryan-Chamorto
Trea.ty,cont.ainedin thcomplaint,thisCourt Œn make no declarationwha.tsoever,
beee.useof the factthat the Govermnent of the United Sta.teof North America.
isnot.subjeotto the juriadiotiof thisCourt•.
THIRD PART
EXAMINATION OF FACTS AND LAW
CHAPTEBI
CONCEBNING 'l'HE PEREHl"l''RY EXCEl'TION AS TO THE
JURISDICTION OF THE Comt'l'
Whereas:
The Government of Nica.ragua.,in its communication of August 1 1
last, answering the notification of the presentation of the complaint,
ha.ving interposed a. peremptory exception to .the jurisdiction of the
Court, and ha.ving aJso addreased itself to that point in its telegraphie
despa.tches of the lst and 26th of April, a.nd 7th a.nd 9th of Sep-- DECISlONS INVOLVING QUESTIDNS OF INTERNATIONAL LAW 211
tember, instant, it is the duty of the Court to analyze the fundaments
of that exception and the evidence in support thereof, as well as the
legal dispositions that govem the point, in order to determine whether
m not this Court bas the power to take oognizaneeof the cause.
Whereas:
lt appears from the telegraphie despatches and the a.nswer to the
notification as to the comphûnt that the Nioa.raguan Governm.ent
restsits deniai of the jurisdiction and eompetency of this Court on
tbree grounds, to wit:
First.- That the negotiations with the Government of the United
States coneerning the interocea.nic canal were conduoted in the exer
ciseof Nicaragua's unquestionable rights ofsoverelg:nty;
BeCIJn- d. Tha.t she conducted those negotiations with a. nation
foreign to the jurisdietion of this Court, and
Third.- Tha.t although the Government of Costa. Rica. took cer
tain diplomatie steps when the Chamorro-Weitzel Trea.ty was eon
cluded - which instrument never went into efl'ect- on the other
band it took a.bsolutely no steps before the Niea.ra.gua.nForeign
Office in connection with the Cbamorro-Bryan Trea.ty wbich gave
rise to the present complaint, and that, eonsequently, the necessa.ry
prerequisite to the assumption of jurisdiction by this Court, pre
scribed by the organie convention, bas not been fulfilledby the
complainant Government.
Whereas:
With regard to the :first of the foregoing allegations it is sufli
cient to observe tha.t Article I ·Ofthe convention that created this
Court, e.nd which constitutes its fundamental code, does not e:xclude
from its cognizance any class of questions or differencesthat may arise
between Central Americau states, whatever may be their origin and
whatever their nature. NothiDg exists to limit the jurisdiction of
the Court by resson of the substance of the question in dispute, a.nd
itis, therefore, obviousthat no Central Ameriean nation can exempt
itself from the obligation to answer before this Court a.ll actions
brought by the other signatories to that convention, on the pretext
that the injuries complained of are based upon acta performed in the
exerciseof sovereignty.212 'l'BE Al\ŒRIOAN JOlT.RN.A.LOF INTERNATIONAL LA.W
Whereas:
With regard to the sllegation that the tmnaa.ction out of which
this complaint &rose was concluded with a Power foreign to the
jurisdiction of the Court, and that, consequently, the Court ca.nnot
decide the action brough.t by the Govermnent of Costa Rica. without
entering a. field foreign to it, and, therefore, forbidden ground, the
Court is of opinion that, were that allegation sufiicient to prevent
the exercise of itsfonction "to g_uaran.teee:ffica.ciousthe rlghts of
the Central America.n.Republics.and maintain inaltera.blypea.ceand
ha.:rmonyin their relations without being obliged to resort in any case
to the employment of force"- the mission entrusted to it by the
organic convention - a.coŒi.demble number of controversies could
arise ·amongst us that would have no other pos51'blesolution than
through the resort to arms, and thus the most; important element of
finality sought to be :fixedby the signa.tory states in instituting the
Court, would be rendered nugatory. The Court can unquestiona.bly
carry out its functions without venturing upon forbidden ground,
li.mitingitselfhowever, as in duty it is bound to do, to a. determina,.
tion of the jurîstiorelations existingbetween Central American states
engaged in controversy and to a decla.rationof the law with respect
to thetp.; but refraining a.bsolutely from oognizance conditions of
fact and law which their acts have orea.ted with respect to other
nations not under the ju.risdiotion of this Court.
Whereas:
With regard to the allegation by the bigh party defendant tha.t
this Court is incompetent beca.Œe "there is no consistent evidence,
in acta or other cla8868of authentic do~, that, in arder that the
oomplaint might be a.dmitted, the high party compla.ina.nt had ini
tia.ted-rouch less pursued and exhausted without reaehing settle
ment - the diplomatie steps required by .Article 1 of the convention
ërea.ting the Court and its Seventeenth Rule," this Court, for its
purposes in rea.chinga decision on this point, has before it the fol
lowing facts:
First. - It a.ppears in the record of this case, according to the
sta.tement of the high party compla.in.a.nt,that in April, 1913, it
received priva.te information that the Legislative Power of the Re
publio of Nicaragua. ha.d secretly a.pproved a. treaty, oonoluded a.lso DECISIO!IΠINVOLVING QlJESTIOllΠOF INTERNATIONAL LA.W 218
in secreey, between the Government of that Republic and the Gov
ernment of the United States of America. relating to the opening of
an interoeeanieeanal through Nica.mgua,nterritory, and that thè Gov
ernment of Costa Rica,acting on this info:rma.tioni,nstrueted itsdiplo-.
matie representatives at Managua, and Washington to lodge protesta
against the conclusion of a convention wbich it oonceived to be in
violation of the rights vested in it by existingtreaties between Costa
Rica and Nicaragua.and also by the Cleveland Award of Ma.rch22,
1888; and that, accordingto the evidence contained in the recOrd,
such protests were duly presented.
Second.- That the Govemment of Nica.ragua.,in its note of
June 12, 1913,replied to the protest "ofCosta Ricttrinvoking the pre
rogatives of its sovereignty in justificationof its conclusion of the
treaty referred to and the necessity, for diplomatie ressons, of main
ta.iningseereey regarding the contents of that pact.
Tkird. - Tha.t the Government of Costa Rica., upon noting the
text of the trea.tyas it appeared in a newspaper of this oapital
wbich text was said to have been_the sa.tneas tha.t of the pact that
prompted the protesta referred to - repea.ted its demanda upon the
Nicaragua.n Foreign Office and the latterreplied insisting upon the
necessity of ma.inta.inmgsecrecy reguding itsdiplomatie agreement
with the United States of America; and that, with respect to its
contents, it was impossible to mske any sta.tements whatever be
cause the agreement had not yet been perfected.
Fov.rtk.Tha.t, ha.ving bad notice that1 although the trea.ty
then in question bad been withdra.wn from the United States Sena.te,
a. new canal t:reatywas already under consideration by tha.t body
for .ra:tification,and, coosidering,the.reupon,that the roadto a direct
settlem.ent with the N'Œa.ragua. Foreign' Offiee was alre$.dy closed,
the Government of Costa. Rica. undertook, before the Foreign Office
of the United States of America. and before the Benate itself 1ertain
steps calculated to prevent the perfecting of the treaty; and that,
finally, the pact received the supreme approval of the Am.erica.n.
Senate on the 18th of Februa.ry of the present year.
Fifth.- Tha.t the higb. -party defenda.nt, in asserting tha.t the
necessary steps between the Foreign Officeshad-not been previously
taken, seized upon the oircumstancethat the negotiations underta.lŒn
before it by the Costa. Rica.n Foreign Office were prompted by the
conclusionof the Chsmorro-Weitzel Trea.ty which never rea.ched the214 TBE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF IN'l'ERNATIONAL LAW
stage of perfection, and not by the Brya.n~Cha mact, w hich is
the one tbat brought about the presentation of the complaint.
The calm examinotion this Court bas made of the foregoing alle-
gations ena.blesit to avoid passiD.g aver unnoticed the dialectic
error into which the High Party Defendant has faJlen in m.istaJrlng
the basis of the complaint; the Government of Costa Rica bas not
groundedits action speoificallyon the name by wbich the pa.ct that
gave rise to the comp]aint is lŒown, but, instead, on the point that
saidpact referato concessionsfor the constructionof an interoceanic
canal across Nicaragua.nterritory, with respect to which concessions
it bas consistently persisted in its protesta ever Bineetheyea.r 1913.
This Court bolds tb.at it cannat accept as sufficient to support
the exception respecting itscompetency. to try this case the argument
of the Nica.ragua.n Government tha.t the Chamorro-Weitzel and
Chsm.orro-Bryantreaties are two distinct negotia.tionsand that Costa.
Rica'sopposition to the fust isof no avail against the second,because
the negotia.tionsbeing identieal in their ultima.tepurpose to bring
about the construction of an interoceanic canal- whioh is the d~
sideratum against which, fundamentally, Costa RiΠis complaining
- it is impossible to avoid consideration of bath negotiations as
stagesof the same transaction, for the arguments based exclusively
on sovereignty and the necessity to safegua.rd a diploma.tio secret,
wherein the Nicara.guan Foreign Office takes refuge in itsauswer
to the protestaIodged by the Government of Costa Rica.aga.inst the
fust pact, necessarily govem in respect to the other; and, therefore,
the Court must be, and ÎS of the opinioothat the Costa Riea.n Gov
1
ernment did exbaust the requisite foreign office steps availa.bleto
it for the purpose of reaching a.settlement with the Republic of
Nica.ragua. relatingto the negotia.tionsundertaJŒn by the latter with
the Govermnent of the United States with the object of procuring
the construction of an interooeanic canal; and, in view of the round
a:ffirmatioof the Nicaraguan Foreign Office tbat its n~tia.tions
were covered by the attributes of national sovereignty, any new
undertaking in the premises by the Costa. Bican Government could
with much more reason have been logicallylooked upon as futile.
The Cow:t is furthermore of the opinion that it cannat uuder any
theory admit as a correct interpretation the allegation tha.t thefinal
requisiteof Article I of the Convention that gave life to this Court
s}:louldbeunderstood in the sense that the high.parties herecontend- DECISIONS INVOLVING QUESTIQNS OF INTEBNATIONAL LAW 217
ci~ent and" "seroicio"which are here given in the tra.nslator's
version as "operation11and "main:tenauce,. in his rendition of both
Spanish texts] and variations appear in the preamble and in other
parts ofthe canalstipulations. If any real innovation is to be noted
in the later pact it would be that which leaves the construction of
the canalto the free volition of the Government of the UnitedSta.tes,
whereas the fustdraft of a convention did not contain such an ex,.
plicitrigb.tbut, on the contrary, left the details a.nd terms of the
undertaking to the mutual understandiDg of the two Govemm.ents
ltwheneverthe construction ofthe oo.uaJs.hanbe deci.ded upon," and
remainedsilent as to whether, when that time a.rrived, thewill of
either or_both should be necessa.ry. '
With these historie antecedents essen.tialas they are to a precise
establishment of the international legal efi'ectothe fust article of
the pact known as the Bryan-Chamon-o Treaty, it is possible to
approach with intelligence a solution of the problem: "Is a simple
option conveyed or is a sale coDSUJDmated?" The doubt arises from
the divergence on the opinions of the high parties litigant.On the
one hand, coUDSe flor the Costa Rica.n Governmentmainta.in. tha.t
the contract constitutes a -perfect sa1whereas,His ExceUencythe
Nicaraguan Minister of Foreign Relations, in his communications
ta thisCourt, uphold.sthe theory that a simple option was stipulated,
callingfor consummation in the future, when the preJimina.ry studies
for. the locationof the ca.ualshall have been made and agreement
shall have been reached as to where and when it would be most
advantageousto begin operations.
There can be no doubt wbatever that the Bryan-Cha.morro Treaty
efi'ectsaperfect sale ofthe ownership rights necessa.ry for thecon
struction of an interoceanic canal by way of the San Juan River
and the Great Lake of Nicaragua, or by any other route over Nica
raguan territory.''To grant in perpetuity" is to alienate,to
transfer ownership; itis afullmanifestation ofthe will todivestwith
complete renunciation of aU the incidents and elementsthat define
and constitute ownershlp. Here also is present the œn.i adqt uirén
dum on the part of the purchaser who undertakes to pay the priee
of the sale. The indispensable legal conditiOllBexist,therefore,to
sustain the fact tha.t theBrya.n~Cha Tmoertroconstitutesa sale,
and, further, a conveya:neeof title and ownership witha.certain and
determined object, a.tleaat in relatioto the realrlghts which Nice.- 159
218 T.BE AMERICA.N JOURNAL OF INTERNATIONAL LA.W
a:ragua alienates m the San Juan River and the Great Lake of Nica
ragua. in connecti.on with the construction of an interocea.nic canal.
The concept of an.option, on the other han.d, involves a. wholly
different idea. Here there is no actual alienation of owneŒbip, but
a mere ·ex.pecta.ncy, realizable only upon the fulfillment of certiÛD.
stipulated ciroumsta.nΠasnd conditions. And in the Brya.n-Chamorro
Treaty, whiohis of an onerous and commutative cha.mcter, there i,sa
perfect obligation on the part of the Nic8ra.gua.n Government, subject
simply to the determination of the United States Govermnent as to
the practical exeaution of the contraot. The conveya.uce might be
desaribed as an altema.tive alienation, but not an option in the legal
sense of the ward. To concrete: by that diplomatie contract, Nica
ragua alienated once and forever the necessa.ry rights for the construc-
tion of au :interoceanic canal by wa.yof the San Juan River and Great
Lake of Nicaragua or by any other route whatever tbrough Nica.raguan.
tenitory, ·and she thereby made itimpossible to recover those rights
for henself or to malte them the subject of other contracta.
Whereas:
With respect to the legal affectsof the treaty in so far as they
conoern Costa. Rica, a third p&rty that took no part in its negotia
tion, consideration must be given to the situa.tion existing between
that cotmtry and Nicaragua. in the sphere of territorial :rigb:üsprior
to the date on which the canal trea.tywaa raised to the category of a
law for the high signatŒy parties, in arder to judge the full effect
and scope of the violation of rights that is the subject of Costa.
Rica's action before this Court. The Cafias-Jerez Trea.ty, a perfectly
va.lid contract still in force, contains, in the concrete, the following
stipulations fixing the rights of bath RepuÇiics in the said river:
Am. 6. The Republio of Nioaragua. shall ha.ve exclusive dominion and the
highest~ty over thewa.tersof theSan Juan River from theirissueout of
the lake to their discbe.rgeinto the .A.tlantio; Repnblioof Costa Ricaaball
bs.ve in thoswatersperpetua.lrlgb:tsof free na.vigfrom.the eaidmouth of the
river upto a.point tbree English mDes beloCastilloViejo, for purposes of com
merce, whether with N'lC8l'llgoawith the interior oCosta.Rica, over theSan
Carlos or Sa.rapiqui Rivera or any other coume starting fthe part whieh bas
been established aa belongito tbatRepubllcon the banks ofthe San Juan. The
vesselsof either countrm&y touch a.any part of the banks ofthe :river, where
the na:viga.tiiscommonwithout pa.yingany dues exeept stteasma.y be estab
Iish4dby agreementbetweenthe two Governments. DECISIONS INVOLVING QUESTIONS OF IN'l'ERNATION.AL LA.W 221
the Nicaraguan Government should indicate tha.t s.decisionis urgent; and in the
event that the enterprisshould ca.useno injury tcthe natnralr.ightsofCosta Rica,
t1wJ, pinion 8haUb6adrM0171·
Article X of the Cleveland Award provides:
The Republio of N'lClll'agUram. ains bound not tomake any granta for canal
purposes across ber territory without ilraaaking the opinion of the Republio of
Costa.:ruca.as provided inArticle Vlli of theTreaty of Limits of the !5th da.yof
April, one thousand eigb.t hundred and fifty-eight.The na.tural rightsofthe Re
publio of Costa.Rica alludedto inthe sa.idstipulatioa:rethe l'ightwhich,in view
of theboundaries fixedby the sa.idTreaty ofLimits, she possesses the sollthereby
recogDi2ed aa belonging exclusivelyto ber; the rigb.ts which shepossesses in the
harbora ofSan Juan del Norte and SalinasBay; and the rightswhiohabepossesses
in somuch ofthe RiverSanJuan as liesmoretha.n threeEngii8h milesbelowCastillo
Viejo,measuriDg from the exteriol'fortificatiofsthe saideastleasthe fllllexisted
in the year 1858; and per/w;psolb.errigh/8not here particularly speci&ed. These
rights areto be deemed injured in any ea.sewhere the terri.torybelonging tothe
Republioof Costa.Ries.is oocupiedor fl.ood.edwhere-tbere is an encroachment
up1m either of the said harbom injurious to Costa.Riesor where there is auchan
obstruotionor deviation ofthe River San Juan asto destroy or serioualyimpair the
navigation ofthe said riveror any of its bra.nohesat any point where Costa.Rica
isentitled to navigatethe same.
These concomitant dispositions restrict Nica.ragUa'sright to dis
pose freely of her ownershi.p over the waters of the San Juan Biver,
since it isindispensable to the legality oi the contraotual aot fust to
consult the decisive opinion of Costa. Rica in consideration of the
fsct that bath Republics maintain perfeet rights in that river, which,
Binee anoient times, has been looked upon as the a.rtery tha.t would
some day be availed of to give Jife to the long projected canal.
Whereas:
Exsmining the ex:isting statu j11fl'between the Republica of Costa.
Rica and Nicaragua in the light of the clear and positive provisions
of the Ca:fias..Jm:ezTreaty and the Clevela.n.d Awa.td, dec1aration will
now be made as to how the Bryan-Chamorro Treaty affects that legal
statua.
Tba.t treaty was concluded without official notice to the Govern
m.ent of Costa Rica, notwithsta.n.ding a solemn agreement imposed
upon Nicaragua, the unesca.pable obligation to consult the opinion
of the former before gra.nting any concession for an interoceanic
canal. This solemn agreement was .ena.cted by the Caitas-Jerez222 'l'BE AMEBIOAN JOURNAL OF IN'I'EB.NATIONA.LLAW
Treaty hereinbefore reprod.uced in its pertinent parts, in the pre
ceding whereas; SDd it was confirmed by the arbitra] a.ward of
President Cleveland as shown in its decJa.ratory paragraph No. 101
sJso reproduced in the seme whereas.
Costa. Rica should have been consulted; and her voice cou1d
have been consultative or decisive as the case may be. If the con~
cession is one th.a.violates her "na.turaJ rlghts," uit would seem.
that her consent is necessary,U says the Cleveiand Award; and, in
the event, continues the award, "tha.tthe concession does not affect
such rights, hervoiee must be pure1y consultative."
In the case of the Bryan~Cham o eaty, the essental con
sultation wasnot had. This Court nnanjmously decided this point,
supported by the Nioaraguan Government's own statement, wherein
it explained that failure. by at'bributingto itself su.fficient power and
a.uthorityto execute concessions of that lcindin the exercise ofits
sovereignty unrestrictêd witbin its proper jurisdictionallimits.
The Court, however, entertains a different opinion in deciding
this pohlt. The canal concession executed in favor of the Govem
ment of the United States of North America.has two aspects: the
alienation of the rights necessary for the construction of an inter
oceani.ccanal by way of theSan. Juan River, and the power conferred
upon the purchaser to locatethat passageway in any other point in
Nicaraguan. territory. ln the fustcase Costa Rica ought to have
been consulted and ber voice would have been decisive in character,
beca.use any concession covering the San Juan River involves a
violation of her unatural rights" spec.ified in pa.ragraph 10 of the
Cleveland Award.
Costa Bica. possesses undisputed titleto the right bank of the
river,to the land ·situe.ted within herjurisdictio.nlimits; she has
joint ownership in the ports of San Juan' del Norte and in Salinas
Bay; she possesses the contractua.right of perpetual na.viga.ti.onin
the river, beginningat a point three miles below Castillo Viejoac
eompamed by the full privilege oftransit and commerce, and Nica
ragua is impressed with the duty not to interfere with navigation,
but, on the contra.ry,to keep the course of the river open; Costa
Rica.enjoys a.lsothe rlght to moor ber vessels on both ba.nlŒthrough
out the entire zone in whieh na.vi~t iioommon, and the rights
involved in gua.rding and defense" n with an mea.ns within her
reaoh." DECISIONS INVOLVING QUESTIONS OF INT.ERNA.'l'ION.ALLAW 225
Whereas:
Due acaount should be taJŒn of the allegations of the Nicaraguan
Foreign Office, that its Government, in concluding the Bryan-Cha
mono Trea.ty, acted within its sovereign powexs in contraoting with
relation to it.sexclusive teiTitorial circumscription. The pa.rticular
and general terms oi that contract, however, go to establish ·the
contrary.
From the face of :Article 1 the oonviction arisesthat the aliena-
tion afiects lands and waters of the San Juan River, :fiuvia.lterritocy
over which both countries are impressed with rights and obligations,
and tha.t neither is capable of contraoting efiectively with respect
thereto independently of the other, and, even without a. violation of
the natural rights of Costa.Rica., the contract would stiJl lack the
indispensable requisite of oounting u.pon the consultative voice of
tha.t Republic, respecting "the disadvantages that may result to
the two oountries" from the convention.
From the tenor of the dispositions so many times invoked in this
aotion, not a. single case of concession for canal purposes could be
considered that sbould not be submitted - to the oognizance of
Costa. Rica.always - and to her decision when ber rights s.re injured
or s.ffected.
The argument tha.t it would be necessary to perfect the canal
oontract by me&DSof a subsequent convention between the United
States and Nicaragua, in order thereby to fulfill the unesca.pa.ble
requisite of consulting Costa. Rica. a.ndto obta.in,in that case, ber
consent, also fails to serve as a pretext m giviD.ga. just concordant
interpretation to the Brya.n·Chamorro Tre&ty in connection with
the Cafias..Jerez Treaty of 1858. It bas already been said that in
the former is conveyed a perfect alienation, a tra.nsfer, in consideration
of a fuŒd priee, of the rights of ownership necessary and convenient
for the CBJl&lroute, of whioh.route the Republic of the United States
of North America ismade owner in perpetuity and without limitation.
Neither the Ca.fias..JerezTrea.ty nor the decision of itsauthorized
inte.rpreterfa.vorsthat thesis. Those diplomatie instruments impose
the obligation to consul(;Costa. Rica. as an act prelimina.ry to aU
canal contracta, and they even prescribe the term within which tha.t
coDSulta.tion shall ta.ke place in cases wherein an urgent decision
may be necessa.ry. Othérwise Costa Rica.'s right to be beard and to226 TBE Al\ŒlBICAN .TO'ORNALOF INrERNA.TIONAL LAW
give her decisive opinion would be wholly la.ck:ingin effioacy. This
sb.ould be exercised on an ocoaaion propitious for obtaining som.e
pra.ctical result, not only in order to guarantee her territorial and
controotual rights, but to lend to the commoninterest of both peoples
the concurrence of her opinion and counsel.
To wa.it until the projected work shall have been located, until
the "natural rights" of CoSta Rica shall have suffered concrete and
materiel injury, in order then to be able to determine whether the
voice of the high party complaina.nt xnust be oonsulted, is equivalent
to ignoring the.t there are &ny acts, of nations or individua.ls,which,
short of material realization, possess inherent powers to injure. The
Civillaw provides a rem.edy against those acts that carry with them
a menace to the rights of a priva.te owner, and the same princlple·
govems in intersta.terelations, whieh abound with cases wherein a
sta.te demands redress, in the na.me of its fondamental rights of
existence and preservation, for an act tha.tinvolves a simple menace
or danger to the development of those rights.
Whereas:
The high party compla.ina.nt is justiûed in impugning the Bryan
Chamorxo Trea.ty as violative oi its rights, comp~mis iedan aliena
tion made without its concurrence or consent, in order to convey
material and moral interests that did not belong exclusively to the
grs.ntor, but were deriv8d from a solemn contract that marked out
the line of conduot that must be ,followed in the future in CIUlal
projects. And it is of no ava.ito allege that the American Senate,
m ra:tifyingthe said treatyt ena.eted an additional amendment tha.t
contained the provision:
PrŒided,That wherea.sCosta Rica, Salvadorand Honduras have proteated
again.stthe ratificatiosaid conventioiD the feaot belitha.tsaid oonvention
DlÎgb.insomerespect impair existing righte of said states,tberefore h is deelared
by theBenate tha.t in advising and consetothe ratification of saidconven.
expresaed as put~of the inetrument of ratificathatnothinginsaid conventione
is intendeto affeoany mâsting righofany ofthe said named st.a.tee.
The intention here indicated is most noble and of higb.importance,
since it ~bUshes an obligation upon the United States; but it is
without efficacy in eo far as it deals with the legal relations between DECISIONS INVOLVDiG QUESTIONS OF INTERNATIONAL LA.W 227
the natio115in litigationfor the injury to the rights of Costa Rica.
bad been consumma.ted and the amendment did not produce the
effeet of restorlng things to the legal sta.tuscreated .bY the Cafias..
Jerez treaty.
Besicles,it appears from the Official Gazette of the Niea.ragwm
Govemment of August 24th of the present year, that the Nicaraguan
Congress, in giving its approval to the Bryan-Chamorro Treaty,
excluded the amendment of the American Benate, thus destroying
the concert of action of th~ two Governments on a point of fust
importance and lea.vingto the Senate amendment only such moral
force as it may have.
Whereas:
Article IX of the General Trea.ty of Peace and Amity subscribed
at Washington stipulates as foJlows:
The merebant ship.ofthe signatory countries shall be oonaidered upon the
sea, along thcoastsand in the ports of said countries as national vessels, they
sball enjoy the same exceptions, immunities, anet concessions as the latter, and
&hallnot pay other dues nor be subject to furtber taxes than those imposed upon
andpaid by thvesselof the country.
The Bryan-Cbamorro Trea.ty, in granting to the United States a.
lease of a.naval base in the Gu1fof Fonseca and of the islandsknown
as Great Corn Island and Little Corn Island in the Ca.ribbean Sea,
did not reserve to the high party complainant the rights that are
above set forth, and which reeiprocally, were granted by Nicaragua.
1
and Costa Riea.,for a term of ten years, with. an option of extension
for a further term. That omission makes those rights uncertain,
since those leased territories and the naval base that may be estab
lished will be exclusively subjectto the laws and sovereign authority
of the United States, a.nation with which Costa Rica. does not main
tain the sa.melegal relations, in the matter of navigation, as she does
witb Nicaragua.
Whereas,finaUy:
The moment bas arrlved in wbioh to enter upon an examina.tion
of the pra.yers in the complaint, which are comprised in points second
and t.hirdand in which it is prayed that the Bcyan-Chamorro pact
be declared null and void, not only for the violation of Costa ruca's
rights ~bodie indthat treaty, but also on the ground that "when228 THE AMEBICAN JOURNAL OF INTERNATIONAL LA.W'
it waa signed both contracting parties welllmew of Nicaragua's Iack
of legal capacity to .signunrestrictedly." The Court, in considering
this point in the complaint, declared, upon the unanimous consensus
of opinion of itsmembers, tha.t itcould not render a decision thereon
beoause of the fact that the Republic of the United States of North
America was'not subject to the jurisdiction of the Central American
Court of Justice, a tribunal called upon exclusively to pass upon the
1aws enforceable among the Central American states in cases brought
before it for the settlement of their con.tlicting interests and their
controversies.
To judge of the validity or invalidit,y of the acrt.sof a contraeting
party not subject to the jurisdiction of the Court; to malte :findings
respecting its conduct and render a decision whioh would completely
and definite1y embrace it - a party tha.t had. no share in the litiga-
tion, or legal occasion to be heard-· isnot the mission of the Court,
which, consciOlJ.Sof its high duty, desires to confine itself within the
scope of its particular powers.
This docrtrina.ry opinion is strengthened by the valuable opinion
of the high party complainant as given forth by one of its cmmsel,
the Licentiate don José Ast'da Aguilar, who, in formulating his final
argument at the public hearing on the 11 th. of the present month,
presented a resllDléand conerete sta.tement of the eoneluding part
of the eomplaint for the purposes of the final decision, as follows:
Tba.tthe unquestionable rights of Costa Rica, establiahed by the Ca.fias-Jerez
Treaty, the Cleveland Award, and the Geueral Treaof.Peace and.A.n:ùof.Wash..
ington, have been violated by the highparty defendant in the :Brya.n-Chamorro
Tl'eaty,nd that, aecording tthetextsor thesaid conventionsâ.ndarbitrai award,
tha.t parlwas legally inca.pacita.ted from conolibat pact without themter.
vention and consent of my Government.
The Court eonaidered, diseussed, and decided that ali and each of
those violations of right had oceurred. As a faithful interpreter of
the contractual obligations that bind the coWltries in dispute, and
inspired by the universal doctrine that controls the harmonious
existence of states, it declared tha.t the Government of the Republic
of Nicaragua committed upon the Government of Costa. Rica the
vio1ations of legal rights claimed by the latter. Its decision could
not be more fully stated, because auch decision could have no bincling
force ·against a state foreign to the institutional system created by·
the Treaties of Washington. DECISI.ONS INVOLVING QUESTIOWS OF INTERNATIONAL LAW 229
There/()Te:
This Court of Justice, in the name of the RepubliΠof Central
America, in the exercise of the jurisdictiontha.tbas been conferred
upon itby the Convention of Washington of 1907, towhich it owes
its existence, and in conformity with the provisions of Articles I,
Xlli, XXI, XXII, XXIV and XXV of the said convention, and 6,
38, 43, 56, 76 and 81 of the Rules oi Court, and a.lsoin accorda.nce
with the conclusions voted at the session of the 22d of the present
month, and by a. majority of four votes agaiŒt the vote of Mr.
Justice Gutimezo Navas, who was not present, hereby renders the
following
DECISION:
First. - It is decl&red that the peremptory exception interposed
by the high party defendant is denied, and tba.tin consequence, this
Court is competent to decide the complaint brought by the Govem
ment of the Republic of Costa Rica aga.inst the Government of the
Republic of Nicaragua.
SeŒnd.- It is decla.red that the Govermnent of Nicaragua bas
violated, to the injury of Costa. Rica, the rights grantodthe la.tter
by the Cafias-Jerez Trea.ty oLimita of April ûfteen, eighteen hundred
and fifty-eigbt, by the Cleveland Awa.rd of Maroh twenty-aecond,
eighteen hundred a.nd eighty-eigb.tand by the Central Ameriean
Treaty of Pea.ceand Amity of December twentieth, mneteen hundred
and seven; and
Third.- That, respecting the prayerin the compla.in.tasking that
the Bryan-Chs.morro Trea.ty be d.ecla.rednull andvoid, this Court
can malte no dec1aration whatsoever.
Let thisdecision be notified to the bigh partiesin interest and
to the other Central American Governm.ents.
ANGEL M. BOCANEGRA,
DANIEL01J'riÉBBEz,
M. CASTRO R,
N1cow ORiiA.MuNo,
SATUBNINO MEDAL,
MANuELECHEVEiŒfA.,
Set:retary. Annex 22
Costa Rica-Nicaragua, Convention for the Canalization of the San Juan River
(Cordero-Zufiiga), San José,5 April 1940 (in force 21 June 1940),
Articles 3, 10
Source: Ministerio Relaciones Exteriores, Convencion para la canalizacion
del Rio San Juan y otT-osparticulares relacionados con dicha canalizaciim
(San José:lmprenta Nacional, 1940) 15-22 TRANSLATION
Costa Rica N~icaragua, Convention for the Canalization of the San Juan
River (Cordero-Zuiiiga), San José,5 April1940
ARTICLE Ill
The Republîc of Nicaragua recognizes the Costa Rîcan
territorial and navîgational rights, as they are defined and marked right now;
but in order that the Republicf Costa Rica may take advantage of ali the San
Juan waterway for the economie development of the northem regions, which
are near the Lake of Nicaragua and the San Juan River, Nicaragua agrees to
extend to Costa Rica, once the works referred to on the previous Article are
completed, the right of free navigation that Costa Rica bas now on one part of
the San Juan River,- from three English miles counted from the Castille Viejo's
outside fortifications downstream up to the San Juan River's outlet on the
Atlantic-, toali said River's flow, from its origin in the Lake ofNicaragua to
its outlet to the sea, aJso extending this right to ali the flow of the channel
referred to in the previous Article, from its separation from the San Juan River
toits outlet to the Atlantic, whether in the San Juan del Norte Port or whatever
port located on the Nicaraguan territory, according to what was stated above.
The concession of this right of navigation on the indicated part
of the San Juan River, to wit: from the origin in the Lake of Nicaragua up to
three English miles starting from the Castillo Yiejo's outside fortifications
downstream and in above channel, neither entails any limitation of the
sovereignty, nor shall confer a rîght to Costa Rica to oppose or prevent the
works that Nicaragua should see fit to implement on this part of the river -
where Costa Rica was not entitled beforeto free navigation-, and in the river's
channel to the Atlantic, referred above.
ARTICLE X
This Convention shall be null and void and the affairs will go
back to the state they were before its signing and entry into force,the case
that Nicaragua fails to start the constructionhe works, within the conditions
herein stated, in a five years terrn after the last ratification.
Likewise, this Convention shall be null and void, and in such
case the affairs shall retum to the state they were before its signing and entry
into force, in case that Nicaragua fails to complete the works, within the
conditions herein stated, in a five years tenn after they were started. Articule I.ll
La H~pùhli dc aicaragua reconoce lo:dcn·ch tr~itoriales
y de 11n:gaciôn <1 ~ust<1.Rica. L;dwmo est:'tn m·tualmentc definiclos
y demarcados: pero a fin de que la Repùblica <le Costa Rica patrla
:pH.l\·ed1nrt(•da la \·ia fluviaSanelJuan para t!l (kscn volvimieuto
l'Wnr•micode las regiom$ del N1orte. cercanas al l.ago de Nicaragua
y 1·ioSan Juan. Nicaragua wm·icnc en l:xtencler a Costa Rica. tma
n.:z terminadaslas obras a que srdi~1 !'!triculn antcrior, el dere-.
dh• de lihrnrn'e.! que<thcriotem· en una parte del rio San1uan.
-( lt-sdt trmm;t ing-lesas contad<ls de lf0rtiicacionese; crÎ<res
del C:astill(J Viejo ag-lias aba,ioÏHtsdest:mb: :n;d~ '\;umlura
. ic:u--a todo el curs:;o(licherio. \lcscle su uri('IclLago de Ni
Gtragna hasta.:; ~aida al mar.. hacicndoextensiYo 1:lmhién este cle
r«:>da todu el cursn del enna.! de que·se ha hablado en el articulo an-
cr ior. desd.c supHrac.iÔn del rio SaJnan has.t;~su tenninaciùn en
el Atl:imieo; ya sea elpuerto de S<tn ]uandC~ Nlrte o en otro<:tlal
IJUÎer~itua enoterritnrinkaragüensc, seglin se ha dichu.
La concc~ deùente <lcrccho tle nan:gacien la indicada par
ltdd rioS<mJuan, o :;ca dt:.sdesu ori gcn en el J;,g·oh1res millas
inglesasa partir de las fortalcz~;derio dleCsnsti llo Viej o :1g--uas
ahajos·en el canal mencionadollf~~ntr niïgmna limitaci6n de sohe
rania ni cclnferiJ·i, derecho a Costa Hica para oponerse o impel~ts
(•bras que Nicarat'lmteuga a bien hacer en est;l parte del rio,--en
<.onde Costa Ric. ll(tenia antes de ahura derecho de li.re na\~·rra-
c1on-. y en el referido canal dd rio al Atlàntico.
Articulo lV
Cm11<: omccuencia de ln cstipulado en ltJs articulos ·antcriores.
tnm vez terminadas la.s (•bras de canalizaci(<]1.se ha hablado. \Qs
huques o emb~n·cac ivotLrrŒ;nses podràn usar el puerto de San
Juan del Nortey aquel en que tcnninareel canal <leirio. si no fucre el
mismo: nan:gar en la bahia de este nombre y en la ciel mu.::vopuerto,
t'I11d1el curso deldn San Juan y del canal ref erido y en 1a·parte ni
caragiiense <lrio Friü,exactamcnte en los mislllns ténuinos y cnndi
ci,•ncen que jmedan h"acer\v lohtH]U o~embarcaciones nicaraJ.!Üen
s~: y:suetus <llos mismosÎIIIJlllCSCJlHestosdeban pagar ·. Dd mi:;
ll\(111Œlo.oshm1ucs o embarcaciones nicarag-ücu:-cs, podrian nangar
por e! hrazo del Oolurado. y t1sar dpu~rt costarricensede la Roca
del Colnrado. en losmismos ténninos y com\icioncs.y sujel au~us
11sntos lllJllH:stos los buq\H::..:osrrÏ<nses.
Esta concesiôn de navegaciôu un cntraiia uinguna limitacion
de solu.:rania y. pur lo:tantu. no cundrecho~·Nic<;rug-napara inl
pedir niuptmer a,es ouras qnc Costa Rica tenga a hien haccr en el
l!Jcucirmado l_wazo dCCJI,t,r, 2l
En caso dt: nmc1·te,ausencia o incapacidacl de un miembr(l de
la Comi.siim o <le! Dirimenteo en caw de omi:;iôn. excusa o cesaciùn
en eldesempefio de sus fnnciones, .:;eprc•ceder:l a st:~st ini'!diai rlo
mente en la fonna antes indicada. Los fallos dictados por la ma,·oria
dè la Comisiôn o por el Dirimente serfm definitives. -
Los a\':tlùode terrenos 0 propiedades particubres r de ](lS
daiim• o perjuicios causa<los a éstas, tendrapor base el \'alor que te
nian los bienes an tes de la fin ua de 1a presente Con venci6n .
l\'lientras e.stén pendientlos procedimientos en averiguaciùn
y determinaciim de las indemnizaciones: no podràn impedirse, del1ll•
rarse o e.storbarse Jas obra:; de canalizaci6n.
Articulo lX
An1bas .Repùblicas COJltratantes dt:claran: <Jlielas llUe\·as cott
cesione:-; que recipro camente se otorg11 en la presente Cmwenci im,
indtryendl• .ladel at·ticu1oVI. tienen por ùnico C.lbjetoaprovecla via
fhn·ial del rio S.an Juan, la bahia de San Juan del Note y la del nue
vo canal y puerto que seconstrt1yercn, para la e:xpansiôn econômica de
Jas regiones vecinas a dicha via en ambos paises. En consecuenda, en
el caso de que Nicarag-ua. de acuerdo con sus conlJlromîsos internacio
nales. cclehre un tratildo cnn un'le1·cerEstado para la construcciùn,
operacion, 111ant<::niminty def <-'nsade un cana{ mayor, de océano ~
océan_oa, tnwés de su territorio,las concesicmcs que Costa Rica y Ni
caragua se otorg<m l'c'restConvenio, no Jlerjmlicar{m los d:::rechos qne
ambos paises tienen en virtuel de tratadosy laudos a.J.lteriorey,tales
dcred1 ~ue~r;entee e<J:-nebidamcnte c~"~n~idc ruedao,spor con
s.ig-uiente~o derechos, en la eventualidad de un canal intemcéanico,
tai comn exis.tian con anterioridaîa fi.rma de lpresente Convencii,h:
Articulo X
La presente Convenc.ion fJUedani sin1ingùn ,·alor ni eJectr las
cos.asvohedm al estado que tenian antes de su suscripciun y pcrf cc
cionamiento. si Nicaragua no hubicre principimlo la construcciôn de
la obra, dentro de las con<liciones aqui consignaden un plazo de du
co ailos a partir de la ùltima ratificaciôn.
1~ua1men llep,esente Convcnciùn IJUtdari1sin ningùn valor
ni efectny en tai case• las cosas vnlverùn al estado que tenian antes de
~u suscriciùn y pcrfeccil•namient(siNicara~ noa hubiese terminuùo
la wnstrucciim de la ohra. ùentro de hrs condicione:; aqui consignad;,s,
tn un plazn de .cincn aiidrs]'llé."de comenzndas. .r----·
Annex 23
Costa Rica-Nicaragua, Pact of Amity (Sevilla-Esquivel)
Washington, D.C., 21 February 1949 (in force 15 July 1949)
Source: 1465 UNTS, 221
1
y 1987 United Nations- Treaty Series • Nations Unies- Recueil !les Traités 223
ANNEX
RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE 0ROANIZATION OF AMERICAN STATES ACf!NO AS A
PROVISIONAL ORGAN OF CONSULTATION APPRov:ED AT THE MEETING OF DECEMBER 24, 1948
The Council of the Orgarüzation of American States, acting as a Provisional Organ of Con
sultation, after studying the detailed reportthe Committee that was inCosta Rica and Nic8I'!lgua
for the purpose of investigating the facts and antecedents of the situation created between those
sister Republics,
Resolves:
I. To request the Governments of Costa Rica and Nicaragua, in compliance witb the Inter
American Treaty of Reciprocal Assistance, to give full assurances to the Provisioital Organ of
Consultation that they will immediately abstain from any hostile act toward each other.
II. To make known, with due respect to the Govemment of Nicaragua, that, in the light
of data gathered by the Committee of Information especially appointed for the purpose, that
Government couid and should have taken adequate measures at the proper time for the purpose
of preventing: (a) the develo:pment, in Nicaraguan territory, of activities intended to overthrow
the present regime inCosta Rica, and (b)the departure from Nicaraguan territory of revolutionary
elements whocrossed the frontier and todayare prisoners oare stilfighting against the Govemment
of Costa Rica.
III. To make known, with due respect to the Government of Costa Rica, thatit can and should
take adequate measures to rid its territoryof groups of nationals or foreigners, organized on a
military basis with the deliberate purpose of conspiring against the security of Nicaragua and
other sister Republics, and of prepa:ring to flght against their Governments.
IV. To request very respectfully that both Oovernments, by every available means, faithfully
observe the principles and rules of non-interventioand solidarity contained ithe various inter
American instruments signed by them_
V. To continue in consultation until positive assurances have been received from the
Governments of Costa Rica and Nicaragua, that, as they are assuredly disposed todo, they will
adhere strict!y to the lofty principlesnd rules that constirute the juridical basis of American
international life.
VI. To recommend that all American Governments actively co-operate toward the best
observance of the principlesw~ic ip.spire this Resolution.
VII. Th inform ali States Members of the Oiga~tio of the steps taken in this case.
Vbl.1465,1·14843 Annex 24
Costa Rica-Nicaragua, Agreement pursuant to Article IV of the Pact of Amity
(Foumier-Sevilla) Washington, D.C., 9 January 1956, Articles 1, 4
Source: 1465 UNTS 233,234 No. 24844
NICARAGUA
and
COSTA RICA
Agreement pursuant to article IV ofthe PactAmity,signed
on 21 February 1949 (with a declaration by the Gov
ernment ofCosta Rica). Signed at Washington on 9 Jan
uary 1956
Authentic text: Spanish.
Registered by Nicaragua on 1 July 1987.
NICARAGUA
et
COSTA RICA
Accord complémentaire à 1'article IV du Pacte ~'amitié,
signéle 21 février 1949 (avec une déclaration du Gou
vernement costa-ricien). Signéà Washington le 9 jan
vier 1956
Texteauthentique: espagnol.
Enregistrépar le Nicaragua le l" juillet 1987.
\V)146S.1·24844180
1987 United Nations - Treaty Series • Nations Unies - Recueil des 'J'rajtés
[TRANSLATION - TRADUCTION]
1
AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENTS OF THE REPUBLICS
OF COSTA RICA AND NICARAGUAPURSUANT TO ARTICLE IV OF
THE PACT OF AMITY SIONED ON 21 FEBRUARY 1949 2
The Governments ofthe Republics of Costa Rica and Nicaragua, reaffirming their
desire to maintain the close friendship as befits two fratemal and neighbouring peoples,
and to avoid in future any dispute which may disrupt their fraternal relations; destring
to implement the provisions of article IV of the Pact of Amity of 21 February 19492
concerning the best manner of putting into practice the provisions of the Convention
concerning the Duties and Rights of States in the event of Civil St:rife3 through a
bilateral agreement; recognizing the effective efforts to brlng about peace made by the
Council of the Organization of American States acting provisionally as the Organ of
Consultation, which, in its resolution Il of24 February 1955,appealed to the two Govem
ments to sign the aforesaid Agreement; bave agreed to enter into this Agreement in the
presence of the Chairman and other Members of the Council of the Organization of
American States. To this end, His Excellency, the President of Costa Rica, Don José
Figueres, and His Excellency the President of Nicaragua, General Anastasio Somoza,
have designated the following Plenipotentiaries:
For the Republic of Costa Rica: His Excellency Ambassador Fernando Fournier,
Representative of Costa Rica on the Com:acilof the Organization of American States;
For the Republic of Nicaragua: His Excellency Ambassador Dr. Guillermo SevillaSacasa.
Representative of Nicaragua on the Council of the Organization of American States;
who. having shown their full powers, found in good and due form, agree to sign this
Agreement:
I
The two Parties, acting in the spirit which should move the members of the Central
American family of nations, shall collaborate tothe best of their ability in order to carry
out those undertakings and activities which require a common effort by both States and
are of mutual benefit and, in particular, in order to facilitate and expedite traffic on the
Pan American Highway and on the San Juan River within the terms of the Treaty of
l5 April 1858 and its interpretation given by arbitration on 22 March 1888. sand also
in order to mcilitate those transport services which may be proviaed to the terrl.toryof
one Party by enterprises which are nationals of the other.
II
The two Parties shall, in.so far as possible and with the utmost diligence, arrange
for the supervision of their common border as a means of preventing the illegal entry
in accordancewkharticle XV.60 by lhc ow::bangoeflhc instrumentsof ratwhîchlOOkplacalWllsbîngton,
2 Seep.217cfthis vtilumc.
3 LeagueofNatl(U 1J4t,Series, vol. CXXXIV,p. 45.
4Britislllld ForeSmrePapen, voL 48. p. 1049.
5 Ibid.vol. 79,555.
Vol. 1465,1-24844Z34 United Nations- Treaty Series • Nations Unies- Recueil des Traités
of either weapons or armed groups from the territory of one of the Parties into the territory
of the other. The authorities of the two Governments, and, in particular, the border
authorities, shall exchange, as fully as possible, any information which may come to
their attention and which might help toavoid such incidents.
rn
Bach Party undertakes to apply the necessary measures to prevent revolutionary
movements from being fomented or from rising up in its territory against the other Party.
Bach Party undertakes to apply ali measures to prevent any persan, national or allen,
operating anywhere under its jurisdiction from participating inor abetting any subversive
undertaking, terrorist act or attack against the Head of State of the other Party, the other
members of the executive authorities, the high civil or military authorities, candidates
for tbose positionsnd their immediate family members, irrespective of whether relations
maintained are between the two Governments.
IV
The contribution, supply or provision of weapons, war material or equipment, the
training, enlistment, organization or transport of personnel, or the acquisition or supply
of manies for the aforesaid purposes, together with any other sirmlar acts, shall be
considered as participation for purposes of the preceding article.
v
The two Parties agree to apply, in respect of asylees, articlesl, Il,rn, V, VI, VII,
VID, IX and X of the Convention on Territorial Asylum, signed at the Tenth Inter
American Conference, the text of which follows:
"Article 1. Every State basthe right, in the exercise of its sovereigntyt0admit
into its territory suchpersans as it deems advisable, without through the exercise
of this right, giving rise to complaint by any other State."
')l.rticle II.The respect which, according ta international law, is due the
jurisdictional right of each State over the inhabitants in its territoryequally due,
witbout any restriction whatsoever, to that wbich it bas over persans who enter it
proceeding from a State in which they are persecuted for their beliefs, opinions,
or political affùiations, or foacts wbicb may be considere.d as political offenses.
'~A niylation of sovereignty that consists of acts committed by a government
or its agents in another State against the life or security of an indîviduaJ., carried
out on the territory of another State, may not be considered attenuated because the
persecution. began outside its boundaries or is due to political considerations or
reasons of state."
''ArticleIll. No State is under the obligation to surrender to another State,
or to expel from its own territory, persons persecuted for political reasons or
offences."
"Article V. The fact that a person bas entered into the territorial jurisdiction
of a State surreptitiously or irregularly does not affect the provistons of this
Convention.
1UnitedNation1l'taSerit$, vol. t43S.No. I-2437&.
Vol. 1465,1·241144 Annex 25
Costa Rica-Nicaragua, Agreement of Understanding between the Ministries
of Tourism of the Republic of Costa Rica and the Republic of Nicaragua
(Roesch-Guzman), Barra del Colorado, 5 June 1994
Source: Copy of the original TRANSLATION
AGREEMENT OF UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN THE MINISTRIES
OF TOURISM OF THE REPUBLICS OF NICARAGUA AND COSTA
RlCA
ln strict compliance with the dispositions set forth by the Presidents of the
Republics ofNicaragua and Costa Rica in their meeting of the twenty ninth of
May, nineteen ninety four in San Juan del Sur,Nicaragua, and withîn the period
stipulated by them, the Ministers of Tourism of those same countries, namely
Lie. Fernando Guzman C. and lng. Carlos F. Roesch C., respectively, in a
meeting held in Barra del Colorado, Costa Rica, on the fifth day of June,
nineteen ninety four, decided on the following agreement of understanding
1- The Ministers express their decision to carry out a joint development of
tourism between the two countries, at ali possible levels and with
particular emphasis on sustainable tourism. They will endeavour to
immediately turn this economie activity into an irrefutable example of
their govemments' willingness to strengthen even more the economie
and cultural ties and bond of friendship that have united them in the
past.
2- ln order to coordinate all matters related to the above, it is agreed that a
permanent liaison commission be set up between the two ministries, to
be presided over by the Ministers and made up of an equal nurnber of
members on both sides. The Ministers undertake to announce the names
of the members in writing, within a period of no more than fifteen days
from the signing of this agreement of understanding. This liaison
commission will be responsible for both coordination between
ministries and the coordination of ali matters related to the other public
and private sectors of their respective countries.
3- The Costa Rican Minister expresses his willingness to cooperate with
Nicaragua, within his possibilities, in regard to ali matters conceming
training and tourism marketing, at every level, offering his support to
Nicaragua in its efforts to obtain the necessary financial backing from
the local and international organizations it deems appropriate.
4- The Costa Rican Minister likewise expresses his willingness to offer his
assistance, within his possibilities, in the elaboration of tourism
development strategies appropriate to Nicaragua, in order that it may
take advantage of the success Costa Rica bas achieved and, by the same
token, avoid making the sarne mistakes.
5- With regard to the development of tourism in the border zones between
the two nations, both Ministers reiterate their commitment to partite
in and cooperate with the efforts of the Bi-national Yes-to-Peace
Commission. In this manner, they will endeavour to assîst in the184
development and transit of tourism between the two countries and
develop tourism that is sustainable between them, in close collaboration
with the private sectors ofboth countries' tourist industries. To this end,
they agree to sign a document, alongside this one, that deals specifically
with this topic.
6- Both Ministers will take ali the steps they consider necessary for
securing the joint investment and tourist development of the tourist
businesses in both nations.
We hereupon agree to sign on the fifth of June, nineteen ninety four in Barra
del Colorado, Costa Rica.
(signature) (signature)
Mr. Fernando Guzmân Cuadra Mr. Carlos F. Roesch Carranza
Minister of Tourism Minister ofTourism
Republic ofNicaragua Republic of Costa Rica ·INSTJTUCOSTARRtCENSE DE TURtS~O
TELEFONOSAl-I JOSE, COSTA RICA00:>
I·C·T
ACUERDO DEENIENDIMIENIO
ENTRtnSMlMST.EIUOS DETURJs.MO DE LAS
REPUDUCAS NICARAGUA YCOSTAR.ICA
NicaraguCosta Rica,reuni6n veinyenueve de maymilePresidentes de Jas
noveciennovenycuatren SajuadeSur, ::-.Jydentrdel
plaza 1ndicelli~Ministde Tumodeestos paliFernando
GuzmâC. eIngCarlF. RoeC, respectivreul'leBarra de
Colm·ado, CRicequintdia junidemO novedennoventa y
cuatro, convienen en el siguiente acuerdo de entendimiento:
1Los Ministres manifiestan su decisi6n de realiz:ar un desam?llo conjunto del
tutientrarnbpases, a todos·Jos niycon particular énfasis
en el turismo sustentable. Procuraran que esta actividad econ6mica se convierta
de inmeden unmuestfehaclente de lade sus gobiemos,de
est~ah ~umas los Jacomercialculturayde amistque
hîst6ticalos ha unido.
2Para coordinar toda lapuntaanterior, se acuerda conformar
un~misi6e enlace permentre los dos ministerios, presidida par los
Ministres y coparun n(lmero lgual depar ambas partes ..
LoMin~tros~comprometa notifîcaescrlosnombrede las
persointegrantes, en un plaz:o no mayor a quince dîas de la firma de este
acuerdocientendimienEstcomisi6deenlactendrtantla
toda lo percon los otros p{lblyprivadde srespecfivos
pats_es. : . . ·
~-El.MinistCostRimanifiesuvolunde cooperar, dentro de sus
posibîUda~nsNicaragen toda lo que corra,capadtay6n
rnercad~$ticatçxio ntvel, dando su apoy'? para que Nicaragua busque la
firla~~<!-.çi~ cn!lQoerga~islcles-~intemado!l;que, .
..CO"A.Std~:~-~tes. ..
p . ·~ . i :~PR: NESRKM~ AOPC!O.J I ~ CA INSTJTUTOCOSTARR!CENSE DE TURISMO
TElffoN0(50S123--1FAX:j5os55-4!197APARTAOO. 777-1000
SANJOSE.COS'TARICA
4- As!. mismo, el Ministre de Costa Rica manîfiesta su voluntad en faalîtar, al
grado de sus posibil!dades, su asistencia en el disefio âe las estrategias de
desarrollo tunstico oportunas para Nicaragua, p~ra que se aproveche de los
éxitos logrados en Costa Rica y, a su vez, procure no cometer los mismos
errares. ·
5- En relaei6n con el desarrollo del turismo en la zonas fronterizzs entre !as dos
nadanes, ambes lvlinistros reiteran su total voluntad de partidpar y coopera_r
-con los e.sfuerzos de la Comisi6n Binacional Si-A-Paz. De esta manera,
procuraran facilitar el desarrolly transita del hlrisT!lo entre las dos naciones y
lograr un·desarrollo de turismo sustenta ble entre ellas, en coordinad6n estre.dta
con los sectores privados de la indus-tria turlstica de ambes paises. Para ella,
acuerdan finnar; paralelo a este, U..ïdoc-umenta que especfficamente trate este
tema.
Q-·Ambes Ministres efectuarân todas las acdones que consideren pertinentes
para !ograr la coinversi6n y desarrollo tutistico conjunto ,de parte de los
empresarios turisticos de ambas hadones. -
Finnamos de acuerdo, a !os cinco dias del mes de junie de mil. novecîentos
noventa ycuatro en Barra de Colorado, Costa Rica,
Fell'ttatUf10 OJadla-
Milrüsltfq;,IJ.Ie o
kpCibüca de Nk:at-apl
.· . -:.'
--..-&~-. r_-:..~-.
--- -.
e:·osTA RrcA sERAsiEMPRE NUEsre,A. ~uo1 - oi clo. Annex 26
Costa Rica-Nicaragua, Agreement of Understanding between the Ministries
ofTourism of the Republic of Costa Rica and the Republic of Nicaragua on
the Tourist Activitin the Border Zone of the San Juan River
(Roesch-Guzm<'m),Barra del Colorado, 5 June 1994
Source: Copy of the original TRANSLATION
AGREEMENT OF UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN THE MINISTRIES
OF TOURISM OF THE REPUBLICS OF NICARAGUA AND COSTA
RICA ON THE TOURIST ACTIVITY lN THE BORDER ZONE OF
THE SAN JUAN RIVER
In strict compliance with the dispositions set forth by the Presidents of the
Republics of Nicaragua and Costa Rica in their meeting of the twenty ninth of
May, nineteen ninety four in San Juan del Sur,Nicaragua, and within the period
stipulated by them, the Ministers of Tourîsm of those same countries, namely
Lie. Fernando Guzman C. and lng. Carlos F. Roesch C.,- respective!y, in a
meeting held in Barra del Colorado, Costa Rica, on the fifth day of June,
nineteen ninety four, decided on the following agreement of understanding on
the tourist activity in the border zone of the San Juan River: \
1~ Both Ministers expressed their wholehearted intention of developing
joint sustainable tourism in the San Juan River zone, with the aim of
establishing a fluid transit zone between the two countries and
coordinate co-investment and development.
2- In order to coordinate ali matters pertaining to the previous point, they
agree to employ the commission of permanent liaison between the two
ministries, which was set up in the agreement of understanding signed
on this sarne day.
3- The Ministers, aware of the situation that exists within the area, agree to
seek out and implement ail the mechanisms at their disposai in ordero
promote the development of tourist activity. To this end, they agree to:
A- Carry out a detailed account of every tourist company operating in
the zone, as weil as of the ships used and their registration
acronyms, and inform the other country of these.
B- Develop the necessary mechanisms, within the next thirty days, in
order to be able to provide pre-registered companies with tourism
cards, which the latter must purchase,l! in correct!y and band over
to the relevant authorities. The Ministers will endeavour to ensure
that the same tourist card will serve the tourists for multiple entries
and exits during the thirty days of its validity and that the passports
are not the tourists' only valid form identification.
C- Develop the.necessary mechanisms, within the next thirty days, for
providing pre-registered companies with sports fishing licenses,
which they must purchase, fill in correctly and hand over to the
relevant authorities.
D- Undertake the necessary construction and împrovements, within a
period of six months, in order that the ships and the tourists may comply with the required migration procedures efficiently, promptly
and safely.
E- Coordinate with the Bi-national Commission of Yes-to-Peace,
endeavouring that, insofar as it is possible, those in charge of
dealing with tourists are park keepers or migration officia1s.
F- That the corresponding immigration authorities of both countries
keep operating their respective offices during ali the days and
timetables that are deemed appropriate to maximize the tourist
movement between both countries.
The Ministers agree to request SITCA that in its actions before the
international community sustainable tourism be included as an
alternative priority for the integral development ofthe zone.
We agree to sign on the fifth of June, nineteen ninety four in Barra del
Colorado, Costa Rica.
(signature) (signature)
Lie. Fernando Guzman Cuadra Ing. Carlos F. Roesch Carranza
Minister ofTourisrn Minister of Tourisrn
Republic of Nicaragua Republic of Costa Rica INST!TUTO COSTARRICENSE DE TURISMO
TELEfONO (506) 23·1733 FAX: [505) 55-4997 APARTAOO. 7n-1 000
SAN JOSE, COSTA R!CA
ACUBDO DE ENŒNDIMIENlO
ENTitE UJ5 MINJSTEIU.OS DE TUlUSMO DE;lAS
KEPUBUCAS DE NICARAGUA Y COSTA RICA
SOIBIŒiA AC11VIDJU) TURISllCA
EN lA ZONA fRON'I'ERIZA DEL RIO SAN JUAN
En cumplimiento fiel a las disposiciones de los Presidentes de las Republiças de
Nicaragua y Costa Rica en su reuni6n del veinte y nueve de maye de mil
novecientos novenla y cuatro en San Juan del Sur, Nicaraguay dentro del plazo
indicadq par elles, los Ministros de Turismo de estos paises, Lie. Fernando
Guzman C y el Ing. Carlos F.Roesch C, respectivamente,reunidos en Barra de
Colorado, Costa Rica, el quinto dia de junie de mil novecientos noventa y
c:uatro, convienen en el siguienle acuerdo de entendimiento sobre la actividad
turîstica .t'lla zona fronteriza del Ri. San Juan:
·1-Ambes Ministres manifiestan su decidida intenci6n de ~aliz ar desarrollo
turlsticosustentable en conjunto en la zona del Rio San Juan, teniendo camo
meta alcanzar la confonnaci6n de una zona de transita fluide entre ambes
paises y de co-inversl6n y desarroilo coordinado.
2- Para coordinar toda la pertinente al punta anterior, acuerdan utilizar la
comisi6n deienlace permanente entre los dos ministerios, la cual tue creada en el
acuerdo de entendimiento finnado este mlsmo dia.
3- Los Ministres, concientes de la situaci6n existente en la zona, acuerdan
.buscar e implementar todos los mecanismes a su alcance para facilitar el
desarrollo de la activîdad turlstica, por ella convienen en:
A- Rea\izar un régistro detaflado de cada compaflia h._lrtsticaque opere en la
zona, de los navios utîlizadoy sus slglas de registry,comunicarlo al otro
pals.
B- Desarrollar, dentro de los proximos treinta d'ias,los mecanismnecesarios
para que puedan entregarle tarjetas de turismo a las empresas pre
regist_radas, quienes tendran la obligaci6n de comprarlas, llenarlas
correctamente y entregarlas a las autorlda:des correspondientes. Los
Ministres procuraran que la misma tarjeta de tutismo le sirva al turista
para multiples entradas y salidas durante los treinta dlas de su validez, asl
mismo, que el pasaporte no sea el ûnico documenta valida· de identificaci6n
para los turistas. ~,
,1~~-- .
COSTA RICA SERA SIEMPRE NUESTRA MEJOR OPCION INSTITUTO COSTARRIÇENSE DE TURISMO
TELEFONO (506) 23-1733 FAX: (506) 55-4g97n-000TADO.
SAN JOSE._COSTA RICA
C- Desarrollar, dentro de los proximos treinta dias, los mecanismes necesarios
para que puedan entregarle licencias de pesca deportiva a las empresas pre-
registradas, quienes tendrân la oblîgaci6n de comprarlas, llenarlas
correctamente y entregarlas a las autoridadescorrespondientes. .
D- Efectuar las oonstrucciones y mejoras necesarias para gue los navios ylos
turistaspuedan cumplir con los trâmites migratorios requeridos con
eficîencia, r_apidey seguridad, para-la cual se esta~le u neplazo de seis
mes es.
E- Coordinar con la Comisi6n Binational de Si-A-Paz, proçurando que, en la
medida de Jo posible, los responsables de atender a los turîstas sean guarda
parques u oficia\es de migraci6n.
F- Que las autoridaqes de migraci6n de ambos paises mantengan sus
respectivas ofidnas funcionando durante todos los dias y horarios que se
consideren pertinentes para maximizar el movimiento turlstico entre los dos
paises.
4- Los Ministres acuerdan solidtarle a SITCA que, en sus gE>stiones ante la
comunidad intemadonal, que se incluya al turismo sustentable coma una
_altemativa prioritaria para el desarrollo integral de la zona.
Flnnamos de acuerdo, a los cînco dias del mes de junie de mil noveclentos
. noventa y cuatro, en Barra de Colorado, Costa Rlca,
COSTA RICA SE~A SIEMPRE NUESTRA MEJOR OPCION Annex 27
Anny of the Republic ofNicaragua-Ministry of Public Security of the
Republic of Costa Rica, Joint Communiqué (Cuadra-Castro ),
La Cruz, 8 September 1995
Source: Copy of the original TRANSLATION
JOINT COMMUNIQUÉ
ISSUED BY THE ARMY OF THE REPUBLIC OF NICARAGUA AND
THE MlNISTRY OF PUBLIC SECURITY OF THE REPUBLlC OF
COSTA RICA
The Anny of the Republic of Nicaragua and the Police Force of the Republic
of Costa Rica, represented by the Commander-in-Chief of the Anny of the
Republic of Nicaragua, Army General Joaquin Cuadra Lacayo and the Minister
of Public Security of the Republic of Costa Rica, Lie. Juan Diego Castro
Femandez, in the exercise of their respective legal powers, issue the following
communiqué:
With a view to complying with the National Defence missions, in addition to
those of the Deferree of Territorial Integrity, Independence and Sovereignty
conferred by both countries' respective Constitutions and, with the aim of
strengthening ties of friendship, respect, cooperation and the coordination of
joint operations that contribute to the peace and stability of the border sectors
common to both nations, the Nicaraguan Army and the Costa Rican Police
Force inform the appropriate authorities and the general public of the
following:
FIRST: ln the interests of strengthening the National Security, sovereignty and
independence of our countries, the Nicaraguan Army and the Costa Rican
Police Force will coordinate, as of this date, the operational plans that involve
our authorities and allow for the necessary developrnent of joint, parallel
patrolling at the border of both countries, thereby joining forces in the battle
against the illegal traffickingpersons, vehicles, contraband of any nature and
joint operations, following the exchange of information and planning carried
out by both parties.
SECOND: As of this moment, the chiefs of the border units of both countries
will coordinate and cooperate more closely in planning and carrying out joint
parallel patrolling along our countries' common border, exchanging operative
information of the common entities involved, with respect to ali activities
affecting the stabilîty of the terrestrial and aerial border zone related to drug
trafficking, arms trafficking, smuggling, rustling, naval piracy, illegal
trafficking of persons and the presence and/or passage of criminal gangs.
THIRD: Both institutions will coordinate the training of guides and canine
techniques in each country's national centres, in addition to exchanging
experiences or seminars, in specialties related to dog training and the exchange
of experiences in police teaching specialties. Meals, travel allowances,
transport and accommodation expenses will be covered by the country hosting
the training.FOURTH: In the interests of developing cordial bilateral cooperation, a
quarterly meeting will be held between:
The (Northem) Border Police Comrnanders of the Republic of Costa
Rica and the Nicaraguan Anny's Chief of the Southem Mi1îtary
Detachment.
The BorderPolice Commander of Santa Cruz, Costa Rica and the Chief
of the 4th Regional Military Command of the Nicaraguan Army.
Tocarry out meetings, after specifying both parties' points ofinterest on
the agenda, with operations chiefshief of Staff/Chief of Operations
of Fîrst and Second Command)
We hereupon sign at "El Murciélago"Training Centre, La Cruz, Costa Rica on
the eighth of Septernber, nineteen ninety five.
(signature) (signature)
JOAQUINCUADRALACAYO JUANDIEGO CASTRO FERNANDEZ
Army General Minister of Public Security
Commander-in-Chief Republic of Costa Rica
of the Nicaraguan Anny
(signature) (signature)
FERNANDOCALDERAAZMITIA ruAN FELIXBARRANTESALFARO
Chief of National Police Colonel of the Costa Rican Police Force
Republic ofNicaragua
Brigade Commander 1 1 '
COMUNJCADOCONJ11NTO: ,.
DEIEERÇITDE"LNREI)_DUIJLACCUA
Y EL i\'liNISEGUIÙJ5:DE DALiiP:~ilJJLIÇÂ
·•.· COSTA lU!A'; J
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ScguriiliueRoptlaà~Ciïsta DiRontalFe~n~i<iu·tlBr:ti
onojcrlMfhcultndes"!egal!ruitclt cbnlmùcndo~e
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cw:npl nusItsusdo:·.Segt~ J?fsïaouleaJnlOruU,·
Tcrrlllll.dc yp~b~cnr~af'_rs ;esp~o16tiùiciones
do ambospats?~bJ·dlfaro:s/ect,doamtsrospoto,
coopcrnciony'c·e:opem'èQnejl:ni1yud~lpn:t.Y
e:;t ~lbiccifiùonP?~m~iuso~sfrùuosc~ucrsUulos,
lnsnulocorupes ctudadge'e'lg.cntc:
PHJMTIROEjerci~~ ~ û :C.s~iecu.tuic~~~~:y.la:Fu~
ct~rtnk sc~[dfionJl:~l.ew.poilltuucslms pnisc.'l,
ooordin..'partir-dùoailcs'ù:s'invah1.crcnn nuc3ln1s
nutori_y'ps'orJ;,i,t.O.~~O\~:OjuornJn.ou~~-n$,W~nj~
JJ-ondoa.tç.bqs·;P,~;~s,> ot~lmL'oc:l~'.?,:?J~~~~;~.~!~t?lm
pcrsouns·s'!..uc~~:.t__oo·ocoeloi1l'nv,o:·~y,
intercdiJûo. ·-'._.....•.],!1,~.,..:P!.~~~!?.o;X::~~:'.~~-~
SEGUNDOLos jJo':.tuûilm itb,nessp~hdeusleri.i.as,:4c
ruomccoonli_cstCec~.' pee~?.lain·rcl.cie. iol~
~a4U ~l..~pc_~saule l~o: ·m~j~nlntesmds,~rsizÇ·:·
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lnactiviquafc~nc;tnbi..!~1a.fr·~trsrynr<,t
ro!n.cnlon~'Îili9o,c~om:i•:.abgn;bnoiaaal,.
lraasdo pcrsOlLlsIo moviJobru3)o'mqucntes.
TERCEROAmbau~tit ln~ci ïdontnytcuis~t :~~i d6~u dinarân
cruten los nacionde ·plliscomo rcina'bio de
expericsern\3eu.~ars~p~~i~~ dlis$tiicnienP~
intercdeexp~encîa:.:ep z~(eispigclseslidade3';d$er~es
nlirucniâti~a.ofy~ojanùeen~to,"rldoseeùl11.
instrucci6n~·. .:· ·~-t ! 1
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CUARTO: Eu iulorcs delarmoniŒoi,desarrollo do bllillcral,
eslablccimos lareali2.nci6nreunnat:ia~srne,ntre~
• 1• • ~ 1•• : ~
- Los Como.nda.nlesde Policfa:do
Rica y cl Jcfcdel Dcst.acMilita!"
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LJO'M[Ul.N CUADltA LACAYO
General de Ejercll·.'
Cou~41 eildcmr· -·9
delIj:.1rcUoc
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Comnndnnto ' allligndA ...
.,
'· Annex 28
Ministry ofDefence ofNicaragua- Ministry ofGovernrnent, Police and
Public Security of Costa Rica, Joint Communiqué (Cuadra-Lizano),
Managua, 30 July 1998
Source: Copy of the original TRANSLATION
JOINT COMMUNIQUÉ
OF THE MINlSTRY OF DEFENCE OF NICARAGUA AND THE
MlNISTRY OF GOVERNMENT, POLICE AND PUBLIC SECURITY
OF COSTA RICA
The Ministers of Defence of Nicaragua and of Govemment, Police and Public
Security of Costa Rica, aware of the needed cooperation between both
neighbouring and bordering States for the development and security of their
shared border zone and, in view of the recent differences that have occurred in
the Iast days, declare the following:
FlRST: The Costa Rican Minister of Government, Police and Public Security
expresses the respect of his country's authorities' for the dominion and
sovereignjurisdiction ofNicaragua over the entire San Juan River, as set down
in the international documents currently in force between the two States.
SECOND: The Nicaraguan Minister of Defence, for his part, expresses his
respect for Costa Rica's navigation rights on the San Juan River, three English
miles downstream from Castille Viejo to its estuary at Punta Castilla in the
Caribbean Sea, set dawn in the international instruments currently in force
between the two nations.
THIRD: Both Ministers manifest their willingness to resolve the regrettable
inconveniences that occurred over the past few days and, for this purpose, they
are establishing the following orders for their respective subordinates:
1. The crew of the vessels of the Public Force of Costa Rica that carry out
relief of police and the supply of the border posts Iocated on the right
bank of the San Juan River will navigate along the aforementioned river
after having given the required notice carrying only their normal arms,
and the Nicaraguan authorities may accompany the Costa Rican vessels
making this journey along the San Juan River in their own separate
means of transportation. Should the Nicaraguan vesse! not accompany
the Costa Rican vessels, the latter may carry out their rounds in keeping
with the corresponding border post reports as indicated in this
agreement.
2. The Costa Rican authorities must report to the Nicaraguan posts
throughout their journey along thean Juan River.
3. The operational mechanics of this agreement will be defined and
regulated in a subsequent meeting of senior officers from the
Nicaraguan military authorities and the Costa Rican police force. 4. The Ministers ofDefence ofNicaragua and ofGovemment, Police and
Public Security of Costa Rica agree to hold regular meetings in the
interest of maintaining harmonious and mutually cooperative relations.
In witness whereof, we sign this agreement in Managua, Nicaragua on the
thirtieth of July, nineteen ninety eight.
JAIME CUADRA S.
JUAN RAFAEL LIZANO S.
MINISTER OF DEFENCE MINISTER OF GOVERNMENT,
OF NICARAGUAPOLICE AND PUBLIC SECURITY
/ "COMUNICADO CONJUNTO MINISTERIO DE DEFENSA DE
NICARAGUA Y MINISTERIO DE GOBERNACION, POLIÇIA Y
SEGURIDAD PUBLICA DE COSTA RICA
Los Ministres de DefenSa.de Nicaragua y de Gobemaci6n. Policia y Seguridad PU.blieade
Costa Rica. conscientes de la necesaria cooperacion entre ambos Estados frontyrizos
hennanos para el desarrolloy seguridadde su zona fronteriza camOn.y habida cuenta delas
diferencias suscitadas en los Udia.manifiestan Io siguiente: '
..-.
Primero: El Ministre de Gobemaci6n, Policia y Seguridad Pliblica de Costa Rica manifiesta
el respeto de las autoridades de su pais al dominio y sumodemNicaragua sobre la
totalidad del rio San Jtaiy coma lo definen los instrumentas intemacionales vigentes
entre ambos Estados.
Segundo: El Ministre de Defensa de Nicaragua manifiesta pÔr su parte ef respeto a los
derechos de navegaci6n de Costa Rica sobre el riô SanJuan,tresmillas inglesas rio
abajo del Castille· Viejo hasta su desembocadura en Punta Castilla en el Mar Caribe,
definidos par los instrumentas intemacionales"vigentes entre ambos Estados·
Tercero: Ambos Ministres manifiestan su plena voluntad de soluci6n de los lamentables
inconvenientes suscitados dias anterioresy para taf efecto adoptan las siguientes
directrices para sus correspondientes subord.·nados:
1. Lostripulantes de las embarcaciones de la Fuerza PUblica de Costa Rica que'realizan los
relevasde palicia y el abastedmiento de los puestos fronterizos ubicados en la ribera
derechadel Rio San Juan, navegarâu par el mencionado rio, una vez hecho el aviso
correspondiente, portandocamente sus armas de reglamento, parcuallâ5autoridades
militares nicaragüensesdrân aoompailar, en sus propios medios de transporte, a las
embarcaciones costarricenses que realicen el recorridorio San Juan.Cuando la nave
nicaragüense no acompaile las navescostarr éistesnosre seliar el recorrido
respetando los reportes correspondientess puesto'sfronterizQs de conformidad con lo
indicado en este acuerdo.
2. Las autoridades costarricenses deberân reponarse en los puestos nicaragüenses a Jo largo
del recorrido que realicen en las aguas delJuan~·an 36
3. La mecan.ica operativa del presente acuerdo sera defi.nidy reglamentada en una reuni6n
posterior entre los altos mandas delas autoridades militares n.icaragüensey de la fuerza
publica de Costa Rica.
4. Los Ministres de Defensa de Nicaragua y de Gobemaci6n, Policla y Seguridad Piiblica de
CostaRica, en interésde mantener una relaci6n de annonia y mùtua cooperaciôn, acuerdan
celebrar rewtiones peri6dicas.
En fe de lo cua1finnamos el presente acuerdo en la ciudad de Managua, Nicaragua, a los
treintadias del mes de Julio de mil novecientos noventyecho.
JAJME CUADRA S. · JUAN RAFAEL LIZANO S.
MINISTRO DE DEFENSA DE MINISTRO DE SEGURIDAD PUBLICA
NICARAGUA DE COSTA RICA" . Annex 29
Costa Rica-Nicaragua, Agreement (Tovar-Caldera), Alajuela,
26 September 2002
Source: 2197 UNTS 78 Volume 2191 1-38916
{TRANsLATION -TRAoucnON]
THE.MINISTERSFOR FOREIGN AFFAIRSOF THE REPUBLICS OF COSTA
RICA ANDNICARAGUA,
Expressingtlsetrunswerving willand detenninationto develop and strengthentheir
tiesofbrotberhoodandgood-netghbourliness.ascountrlesunited by strongbi&toricageo
graphical,culturalandbuman ties,
Considering theimportancetoourpeoplesofeconomietntegmtionprojectssuchasthe
customsunion,lheûee-trade agreementbetweenCentralAmericaand theUnitedStatesof
America, tbePuebla-Pananu\PlanandtheassociationagreementbetweenCentralAmerica
and the EuropeanUnion, antongothet'significantregionalinitiatives;
Noting the importance of deepening coopendion between the two States for the
suatainabledevelopment of th&borderregion. including1he establisbment of a special
development fund;
Bearingin mind that the strengtheningofourgood-neighbourlyrelations isessential
totheenergeticpromotionof Central A~can economie and culturalintegrationanthe
sustainablehumandevelopmentof our countrieafor thebenefit of ourpeoples;
Convinced tbateconomieintegrationprojectsandthe creationof an appropriate<iii-
matefor ~estmte raneand:i,ternationalcooperationcanbe furtherpiomotedinsofaras
bothpartiesresorttopeacefulmeansofsettlementofanysituations thatmayaffectlhesuc
cessfucourseofthcir relations;and
Confidentthat the &atemal spirit tbat unourpeoplesand the renewedbilateralre
lationswill allowfor the strengtheningof abroadarea ofunderstanding and bamwnyto
ourmutualadvantage.
Haveagreedas foUows:
1.TheGovemmentsofCostaRicaandNicaraguasball,frorntoday's date,asamatter
ofcross-bordercomity,eliminateany charge lhatmigbtbinderfreentovementacrosstbetr
commonborder by meansofa temporaryenlryor exit permiL
l. TheGovemmentof CostaRicaexpresses ilwillingnessto eliminatethefeeforvi
sas grantedtoNicaraguancitizens carryinganordinary passport afrom 1 January2003
Iflhe eliminationofthe visa fee requlresaamendment tothe existing lawthe Govem
mcnt of CostaRica sball promote and supportauchan amendment.on.theundmtanding
thattheLegislativeAssemblysball tak.eadecisioninaccordanco witb itsovereignty.As
soonas theGovemmentof Costa Ricaeliminatesthevisa fee,the GovemmentofNicara
guashaUalsoeliminate.attheDlltionallevett.hechargefortouricards andmigratorysor
vices for Costa Rican cltizens. To lhose ends, the Oovernments of Costa Rica and
Nicaraguashalllmmediately undertake the appropriatetecbnicalstudies.
3. TheGovemment of Nicaraguaundertakesto maintain, for a period ofthreeyears
from today'date,thelegalstalusexistingontoday' satewith respecttoitsdeclaratioof
acceptanteofthe jurisdiction of the IntematiooalCourtof Justice.its parduringthe
sameperiod, theGovemment ofCostaRicawtllnotengagein initiatingany actionor any
78 Yolume2197.1-38916
international protcst agaiDBtNicllnlgua neither before the Court nor before any other au
thority on aoy matter or protest mentloned in lreaties or agreements currenlly inb~orce
tween botb countrles.
4.Nothing in thepreeeding pllnlgraphsshallbemterpreted or presumed to be arenun
ciationorBS adiminishing ofrigbts that eacPartyhu and retains inaceordance wilh trea~
tes currently ifŒce in the area of international law.
Inwitneas whereof, wesign. with validitand immediate effect,inthecity ofAlajuela.
Republicof CostaRica, two originaltexts.othintheSpanishlanguageandequallyvaUd,
ou 26 September 2002.
ROBERTOTOVAR FAJA
MinisterofForeign Affai:rsandWorsb1pof theRepub1ic of Costa Rica
NORMAN CALDERA CARDENAL
Min1ster ofForeign Affaira of the Repubhc ofNicarigua
79 Volume2197,/-38916
( SPANISHTEXTExTEESPAGNOL]
LotMiaistrosdeRelacloaesExteri do~
JaslepilblleadeCostaRica:y,Nfeangua:
Maaifestandsuinquebrantavotuataydetemùnad6dne~.y thrtldeŒr
suslazodehllrntanadbuenveciàda,ome ·o~ a palsunidoporrécips
vim:ulo~· geogràfios,ultu ybumraos;es .
Coaslderandola importanaue tiene·pat\UIIlrpuebloslosproyectode
intcgŒçiôucanôm çim~oloscalau.nodwmera,etrataOcM:IIioo~ d.e
CeruroameriŒlosEstadŒUnidode AméricaePl&DPuébl~ '/.aeuerdo
do ssociaciemre Ceotroamérica la Uai6n Europeotte ctrimportantes
inieiatirogionalŒ;
·Pest~ laimponancideprof'wtdi.lraeoopeŒdemreembosestadoapara·el
desarrolsostenidelaregiftonreria,duyendlacreaci6ndeunfondoespec::ial
dedeaarrollo;
Temiendopmeote queetbrt:alecimtenuestnsre!Aeioellmem vecindaes
fimdamcnt]ar&itmJUiseongrandinamlsmolimegracléncoa6miey Œltural
cenrroam yetdlscurllwmano sostmùbde·ouesttospaipcreiblenestar
demtesttpwsblosj
Çomteoeidolde qw:losproyecseintegtacineonOm.iŒla~ detelima
adecuadparulai.n.vmi~1cnmerciy lacnoperaciinteJ'DlDÎaodrâverse
potenciadsn la med.enaqll'lmbos:aisesreeura k>.medlosael6coade
so1ucideaquellsituacionsupuedanafèCtltbuenmarchadesusrelaeioncs,
y
Coafiadosen que ël fi'aospirqueuae a tmeatrpuoo1Œ ylesrenovada:&
nlacionesbilatepenbitanfOttaltnempUo espm.doeeutendimieytmutua
oonterlace.nbenefiracfprooo,
76 Volume2197,l-38916
Han eonvea.idodedarar losiguiente:
"' :
.1. Los Oobitttnosde Costa Riea y Nlcarugua.e!iminmin a pmtire5ta fecha,
CU41quieeobroguallfecelli~ rinsit:vecinal6-t:ntt.ceserulim atmvés
delos pa1Qil!:vecilli.CriUpartdela1corteslasdfrontm~.
:2. El Gohierncl(Co.rto. icamnnifiestaaud!sposieiôndeeli.mrlçobrode tas
visas que sotorsueancludadanoaiŒrqflellles.pottadorpaaaportordinario,
a partid~dia primerodeenerodel.2003.Sipareliminael cobrdelü visu se
.requiem~ai: la~$laei 6lente.el GObiemodeCostaRica promovenly
apoyardioba. odificaciOe, eleutendidquela AsambleLesisla1ivresolverâ
doçonfunnidudeonsu I!OberaniEnel momeuto enqueclGobicmo de COll!Rita
elimineIdoohro de 111i1nsel ûoblemode:NicatasuaŒmbitnelimlntl:6:nive!
IWliitael-cobrooooot1èepldolaljcdoturismoy deservi: amlgtatotla los
cludadanocost&lriccnsa.~ c&dos losGoblernŒdeCou .Rieay.NWmsuà,
promoverân, imncdllltlosestu.dtéŒionrsespe>ei03.
). BIGobia-110eNlcangua-scr.omprome a1JJl1tlle«urantunplazode lni8 aflos
11 partir de boy.la s.ituacl6nju.rexistem ee esta fech1. pecto a su.
decb:raeiôndeaeèptaciOne111jurisdlcdbmiLaCone lnl:emaclonale Justicia.
Porsu par111durantadicbpluo,él.Gobimo de CoslaRicasecomprometea no
ini-cimtlgUI\I!\ŒiOt0 !'ÇI;llali inu:maclonalcontra Nicaragua..mtc dic:ha
Cotie,ni en nlngunotrainstl!Dei. temsclorud.respuctode ewlquier asunto o
roclamacibnrefcridos a TratadosAoud'do W· I:utdmev ig~m enresambo!l
pases.
4.. NI$ dl! lo aqudispuestopodli1~ o prejuqarse eomo~neia de
posici oo~llllUiciao mmw9llaboalgunode los dereclmsque tieney com.e:va
cedaunadelas ·PtrŒ deconfbrmidadÇOnlosTratadovigentesdentrodelmarco
delDai'echoWemacicnitl_
EDfe dt-lami, ft-ruu7.1pu,a so Vlllil:efae~ ilmddiata.m la ciudad
de Alajuela.Rtp6bllc:de Costa Rica. th dosŒstos originales. amboea
idioma I!SJ)Aào, ullmlllri!idosa los vtlotiséb dbls·dd mdetelfembre
del:afte2001.
:z. 7,_..
p~~
.ROBDTO TOVARll'A.JA NO.RMANCALDERA.CAIWENAL
MÛIÏitNlil!lùladolll:ll ~' Ctdtg ~de Reiadooe~~dela
Repâl~ deNitarapD
Tfllf7
77
volume II