Minister Fox to the Secretary of State.
Quito, June 14, 1910.
Minister for foreign affairs of Ecuador deplores that the Ecuadorian note of May 24 caused surprise; argues at length for article 6, giving extended extracts from certain opinions. States that obstinacy of Peru demonstrates she is not actuated by a friendly spirit, as is Ecuador. The note charges Peru with not carrying out the first clause of the mediation in that she is maintaining troops at Tumbez and is augmenting her forces in the north as for a war. This assertion is not new to the department, but the indictment is just now made to me for the first time over official signature. Minister for foreign affairs of Ecuador states that Ecuador offers honorable peace to her adversary, who is closing all the doors to a fraternal and decorous conciliation. Ecuadorian minister for foreign affairs expresses gratitude for the good offices. The note concludes by asserting that Ecuador stands firm for its rights and maintains the proposition of accepting no solution that is not based on direct arrangement, refusing no medium of conciliation compatible with national decorum and with the doctrine sustained in the debate since beginning. Repeats Ecuador desires peace and will not accept war unless forced to.