Eustacio Santamaria to Ernest Dichman, January 14, 1881

Señor Santamaria to Mr. Dichman.

Sir: Your courteous note of the 7th instant was placed by me in the hands of the President of the republic, and I have the honor to inform you that its contents produced in him the most profound satisfaction, although not really a surprise, since when he dictated the stipulation contained in article 2 of the convention of peace between Colombia and Chili he did not doubt for a moment that the President of the United States would accept with good will the part of arbitrator between the two republics which is therein attributed to him, and that this fact would afford the government at Washington the opportunity of again manifesting and of putting into practice, occurring the contingency, those sentiments of impartial friendship it has ever shown in favor of its sister republics of the American continent, and more especially of Colombia, to which it has been bound during many years by the closest and most cordial ties through their community of interests of great importance and identity of aspirations and institutions.

The adherence of my government to the grand principle of arbitration as the only available mode of amicably adjusting whatever international disagreement or nonconformity, has been constant and firm since the political emancipation of this country, and whenever it has been admissible it has yielded to it in public treaties, especially with sister republics. But the adherence of my government to such principles and its submission to it in said treaties would be worthless if at the proper time it were not provided, nothing improbable, in the event that the contracting parties could not or would not agree respecting the selection of an arbitrator, in which case the application of the great principle would become useless and there would remain no other recourse than an appeal to arms or the most abject humiliation of the contracting parties. It was to avoid this grave occurrence that the head of my government caused to be introduced into said convention the very excellent stipulation that in the event of disagreement in the selection of an arbitrator, it would be obligatory upon the contracting parties to submit to the decision of the President of the United States.

As you must know the convention alluded to was very well received by the Government of Chili on which account it may be expected that it will be approved during the year by the Congress of each republic. So that relying as we may with security upon the gracious acceptance by the President of the United States of the charge of arbitrator that by virtue of said stipulation appertains to him it may be safely predicted without risk of equivocation that the doors are forever closed to a war between Colombia and Chili.

But you are aware that although it is a cause for satisfaction for Colombia that she succeeds in obtaining the assurance of living perpetually in peace with Chili she will have effected very little for her future tranquillity without the absolute certainty of living in like manner with her other sister republics with some of which she possesses clashing interests by reason of boundaries, proximity, and other circumstances. It is precisely with Chili that this country least fears difficulties. The great distance that separates their territories, the proper pride that Colombia has ever experienced at the sight of the prosperity of this sister republic, the admiration with which she has contemplated the solid peace she has enjoyed and the great and sincere sympathy which has been won from this country by the thinking people of Chili in their stoic struggle constant and audacious in favor of those liberal principles based upon justice and toleration are circumstances which would make even without the convention alluded to if not impossible at least most remote, any cause for difficulty between the two countries.

The President regarded the matter in this light and anxiously the idea of a convention of peace between Colombia and Chili when the chargé d’affaires of the latter proposed it with the object of introducing in it the clause alluded to and that which is contained in article 3. These two points comprise what there is truly grand, practically, substantially, purely American, and especially new in that document.

The said convention accepted in these terms by the American republics as may be expected that it will be in the course of the year at Panama, there will be a perpetual international peace upon the American continent and the United States will assume the great office, as of right pertains to it, of mediator and counselor among the sister republics of the New World, bearing upon her banner high and secure the celebrated motto of one of her Presidents: “America for the Americans.”

In the name of my government I have the honor to thank you for your spontaneous solicitude in laying the subject to which this note refers before that at Washington and to beg that you will deign to accept the sentiments of high consideration and respect with which I subscribe myself,

Your very obedient servant,