No. 129.
Mr. Logan
to Mr. Fish.
[Extract.]
Legation of
the United States,
Santiago de
Chili,
November 10, 1873.
(Received December 18.)
No. 25.]
Sir: Under cover of this dispatch I transmit a copy
of a note from the minister of foreign relations, and also a copy of my
reply to the same. The note of the minister is important as containing
declarations in reference to the passage of the Straits of Magellan, which
it will be well to have upon record for possible use in the future.
The debate upon the boundary question between Chili and the Argentine
Republic has been very protracted, and somewhat bitter in its nature. There
seems now to be but one resource left the parties, which is to submit the
whole matter to arbitration. Chili is quite ready for this measure, but the
Argentine has not, as yet, consented to the proposition.
During a recent interview with the minister of foreign relations the subject
was incidentally discussed; and, if an arbitration is agreed upon, it is
more than probable Chili will name President Grant as the arbiter, which
selection will, doubtless, be ratified by the other party.
* * * * * * *
I have, &c.,
[Page 196]
[Inclosure 1 in No.
25.—Translation.]
Señor Ibañez to Mr.
Logan.
Santiago, October 26,
1873.
Sir: By the publication of the diplomatic
documents which are attached to the memorial presented by this
department, in the present year, to the national congress, of which
memorial I had the honor of transmitting a printed copy to the legation
over which you preside, you will have informed yourself of the question
of limits which my government is debating with the Argentine Republic,
claiming a better-founded right to the Straits of Magellan and adjacent
territory, as also the extensive region known as Patagonia.
You may also have observed that, as shown by the documents, Chili took
possession of the straits and surrounding territory in the year 1843,
having remained up to this time in their peaceable occupation, and has
rendered practicable the navigation of that internal sea which for
centuries has presented insuperable obstacles to the transit of vessels.
These obstacles have now disappeared almost entirely, through the
expenditure of money and many sacrifices by my government.
As the debate upon the question is nearly exhausted, rendering it
apparent that it must be decided or brought to an end by the arbitration
of a friendly power, in case it may be impossible to arrive at a
satisfactory arrangement between the interested governments, it appears
to the government of Chili that the opportune moment has arrived to
declare to the nations of the world, with whom Chili is in amity, what
are its intentions in relation to the navigation of the straits, both in
the present and future, and to promulgate its right to the straits and
the territory it claims.
By order, then, of his excellency the President of the republic, I am
instructed to inform you, to the end that you will be pleased to
transmit the same to the Government of the United States, that Chili has
always, as now, maintained the desire that the navigation of the Straits
of Magellan may always be free for the vessels of the world without
pretending to subject them to any other tolls or contributions than
those indispensable for the maintenance of light-houses and the securing
of safety to navigators.
My government also wishes to maintain the neutrality of the straits in
case of the remote and improbable event of an exterior war, in such
manner that, not even in this contingency shall there be allowed to be
imposed upon the navies of the world any other limitations to their
transit than may be required in time of peace.
In order to give to this declaration all the force and consistency
demanded by the interests of commerce, there will be procured such
legislative enactment as the case may require.
My government flatters itself with the hope that these measures, so much
in harmony with the liberal institutions of the republic, will be
considered by the Government that your excellency represents with such
dignity, as a new proof of the desire with which it is animated to
strengthen the good relations binding us to it, and as a sufficient
pledge of security that these relations shall never suffer any
prejudicial change.
I embrace the opportunity to offer your excellency the expression of the
sentiments of high consideration with which I have the honor to be,
Your obedient servant,
His Excellency Señor Don Cornelius A.
Logan, &c.
[Inclosure 2 in No. 25.]
Mr. Logan to Señor
Ibañez.
Legation of the United States,
Santiago, November 7,
1873.
Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the
receipt of your excellency’s note, bearing date October 26, 1873,
relating to the matter of dispute between Chili and the Argentine
Republic, and declaring the intentions of your government in reference
to the passage of the Straits of Magellan by the vessels of the world in
times of peace and war. In response to your expressed desire, I have
transmitted a translated copy of your interesting note to my Government
which I can assure your excellency will be received with much pleasure
and satisfaction, as constituting additional evidence of the high
liberality and enlightened policy of the government of Chili.
I sincerely trust the question at issue between the two governments maybe
satisfactorily settled, and that Chili may receive every rod of
territory she is equitably entitled to. Her rapid progress in all of the
requirements of an advanced humanity have [Page 197] won for her the respect and good feeling of the
best governments of the world; and, upon behalf of my own, I tender its
moral aid and sympathy in every worthy effort looking toward the general
peace and harmony of the nations.
Permit me to embrace the opportunity to renew the assurances of high
consideration, with which I have the honor to remain,
Your excellency’s obedient servant,
Hon. Adolfo Ibañez,
Minister of Foreign Relations.
