Minister Fox to the Secretary of State.
Quito, December 27, 1910.
Department’s December 24. My Brazilian colleague and I filed notes personally with minister for foreign affairs of Ecuador this afternoon. Dr. Peralta said that the matter would be referred to the President of Ecuador and Council of State, but that he would say that for his own part Colombia must be included because of treaty of May 12, 1910. I asked for a copy of the treaty and was informed that it was secret, but Dr. Peralta promised to consult Colombia with regard to furnishing copy. Minister for foreign affairs of Ecuador stated that it would be necessary to make a convention with Peru as the basis for negotiations at The Hague. This convention, he stated, would have to be approved by the Congresses of both countries. Minister for foreign affairs of Ecuador said that Peruvian minister at Quito had two days ago called on him and stated unofficially that the desire of Peru was for peace and the settlement of her difficulty with Ecuador by direct arrangement, a settlement which he considered would not be difficult as soon as the internal affairs in Peru had become tranquil. Minister for foreign affairs of Ecuador stated that he would reply to our notes in due course. Repeated Lima.