Mr. Nelson to Mr. Tocornal.
Sir: I have perused with the deepest interest the various arguments presented by the republics of Chili and Bolivia in behalf of their respective claims to juris diction over the desert of Atacama, and have most carefully studied the antecedents of the discussion so far as published.
It has appeared to me while Chili upon the one hand, maintains unhesitatingly her right of dominion over the territory in dispute, and Bolivia, upon the other, as persistently denies that right, that further discussion would but lead to the reiteration of opinions heretofore expressed, and not tend to the solution of the question of sovereignty.
These views were transmitted by me to the honorable Secretary of State of [Page 176] the United States who, in a recent despatch, has communicated to me his opinion and instructions upon the subject.
My government has observed with deep concern the gradual progress of events tending to weaken the fraternal relations heretofore existing between the neighboring states of Chili and Bolivia, and is ardently desirous that these relations be strengthened and maintained, and that the possibility of present or future misunderstanding be averted by a timely appeal to the calmer judgment and patriotism of the two republics.
It has been the custom of friendly nations, when amicable discussion has proven ineffectual, and when all the resources of diplomacy have failed to bring about a satisfactory settlement of questions pending between them, to refer the points of law and fact involved to the arbitral decision of some friendly power, whose award is invariably respected as final and conclusive.
The fact that claims, whose decision principally depends upon the settlement of the question of territorial jurisdiction now pending between Chili and Bolivia, have been presented by this legation in behalf of citizens of the United States for the consideration of your excellency’s government, would of itself have furnished a motive for the suggestion of a reference of that question to arbitration; but even had such claims not existed, the profound interest felt by my government in the welfare of the sister republics of this continent, and its earnest desire for the preservation of the peace and harmony of the different nations of America, would alone have been sufficient to authorize this appeal.
I am, therefore, instructed by my government to earnestly deprecate any interruption to the hitherto cordial relations subsisting between the republic of Chili and that of Bolivia, and to suggest to the government of your excellency the wisdom and propriety of a reference of the questions now in dispute between the two republics to the arbitral decision of such friendly power as may be mutually agreed upon by the plenipotentiaries of the respective governments.
In thus fulfilling the grateful commission intrusted to me, of proposing an honorable and courteous mode of settlement of the complications which have threatened to disturb those friendly relations between two sister republics, whose welfare has ever been an object of solicitous interest to the United States, I am led to entertain a just confidence in the favorable reception by your excellency’s government of this proposition, from the perusal of the eminently patriotic and fraternal notes addressed by your excellency, upon the 30th of December last, to the cabinets of Quito and Bogota, invoking, in eloquent terms, the patriotism and loyalty of those states to prevent fratricidal combat, and obtain by peaceful measures the just and honorable arrangement of their difficulties.
I cannot find words more expressive, or language more appropriate, for the utterance of my sentiments on this subject, than those of the notes above-mentioned, and cordially adopt, slightly paraphrasing, the words of your excellency. I am assured that the President of the United States, in view of the present situation of America, has believed that the noble self-denial natural to worthy and free nations, such as Chili and Bolivia, would respond to the word of peace from a common friend, and in that confidence does not waver in the hope that the respective governments, making the patriotic sacrifice of some of their pretensions, will submit themselves to the result of a friendly arbitration.
The great act to which the United States invite the republics of Chili and Bolivia would be, under present circumstances, a lofty instance that the states of America know how to lay aside their differences when the voice of her true interest requires it, and that they can thus unite and consolidate their power to avert all other peril which might threaten them.
And I beg to assure your excellencies most earnestly that if the good offices or friendly mediation of the United States might facilitate the attainment of the object of the present note, your excellency may rely with security that to such an end my government will omit no step whatever, and that nothing would be [Page 177] more grateful to it than to render to that of Chili, as well as to that of Bolivia, these and any other friendly services.
I have the honor to renew to your excellency the assurances of distinguished consideration and high esteem with which I am your excellency’s most obedient servant,
His Excellency the Secretary of Foreign Relations Of the Republic of Chili.