File No. 722.2315/590.

The American Minister to Peru to the Secretary of State.

[Telegram.]

Your May 19 and June 28, and Legation’s May 17. The President asks that the Department have the American Minister, Quito, inform the President of Ecuador that Peru will soon settle all questions with Chile, which country is now neutral; Bolivian dispute already settled; and that Colombia has agreed to arbitrate, leaving Ecuador alone in refusing arbitration. Brazilian Minister believes this step may be effective.

The President says that nothing can be accomplished by direct negotiations and asks that the mediating powers act as arbitrators; he says that policemen have been kept on the Morona for years as a vanguard protection against savages, and that the recent attack evidences necessity therefor. He has positive information that Ecuadorians [Page 1152] disguised as Indians and leading others committed the outrage. Police inefficient and soldiers sent since Putumayo atrocities to insure peace in Morona. Region always Peruvian territory and never adversely claimed.

Ecuadorian Minister informed that the soldiers sent for [rescue of] captives will be withdrawn if Ecuador will agree to arbitration.

Howard.