Western Hemisphere 137
Outcome (and Settlement): Unclear (Negotiated)
Fatalities: 26–100 deaths
Narrative: This dispute describes a border clash between Peru and Ecuador over
the contested Oriente territory. Border confrontations over the Oriente-Mainas were
not new, and this episode followed a familiar script. This early 20th-century conflict
actually has roots in the 1887 convention between both sides to seek arbitration on
the border from Spain. The arbitration, which was immediately accepted by Spain
(under regency of Maria Cristina) on December 1887, but the arbitration was slow-
going. Meanwhile, an 1890 treaty between both Ecuador and Peru sought friendly
relations between the two while the matter was being addressed in Madrid. When
Peru’s Congress rejected this treaty (Garcia-Herrera Treaty), relations between the
two reached the brink of war. The proceedings in Madrid were temporarily halted.
Talk of war subsided after third parties in South America took interest, but tensions
remained high.
On July 28, 1904, Ecuadorian troops attacked Peruvian troops at Torres Causano
but were ultimately repelled. An October 23 agreement in Quito submitted responsi-
bility for the matter—whether Peru was illegally occupying the territory or whether
Ecuador’s attack was unjust—to Madrid as a corollary. In 1910, Ecuador picked up
wind that Spain was nearing a decision that was unfavorable to Ecuador, resulting in
small-scale anti-Peruvian backlash against Peruvian diplomats in Quito. That senti-
ment and backlash was requited in Lima. War again seemed likely before intervention
from Argentina, Brazil, and the United States restored peace. After hearing what hap-
pened, Spain sent a cable to both sides on November 24, 1910, that, after 23 years, it
was going to withdraw from proceedings. Abortive efforts were made to find another
neutral mediator before the project was finally abandoned in 1913. Ecuador and Peru
began the diplomatic process anew in 1924, this time with help from the United States.
However, this was considered separate from the previous attempts. Peru had de facto
control over the disputed territory.
Coding changes: End Date changed from January 29, 1905.
MID#1147
Dispute Number: 1147
Date(s): April 4, 1910 to May 18, 1910
Participants: 135 Peru/130 Ecuador
Outcome (and Settlement): Yield by side B (Negotiated)
Fatalities: None
Narrative: Believing that the border arbitration between their country and Peru was
going to be decided unfavorably, Ecuadorians began rioting and attacked the Peru-
vian delegation and Peruvian properties. The Peruvian public responded with similar
unrest. Peru ordered a general mobilization, and Ecuador mobilized in response. Both
sides eventually demobilized and moved back toward negotiations.
Coding changes: Start Date changed from February 1910. End Date changed from
Missing. Outcome changed from Yield by side B. Settlement changed from None.