File No. 944/140.
Memorandum handed to the Assistant Secretary of State by the Minister of Chile.
The American Chargé d’Affaires sent to this Department a communication stating that Peru has left to his care the archives of the Legation at Santiago and that the American Government has been requested to take charge of the protection of the Peruvian citizens in Chile during the rupture of the relations. In this regard he wishes to ascertain whether such a representation—which would be limited to the exercise of impartial good offices, when necessary—would be agreeable to Chile. I have answered verbally as follows:
“Chile would be very pleased to see the United States represent any third country not having her own representation in Chile, as happened last year in the case of China, when the American representatives [Page 1189] were recognized by Chile with genuine satisfaction. In the present case, however, it would be desirable that the American Government would not undertake the representation of Peru, for the following reasons:
“First. Because Peru, with this protection to her citizens—who are not in danger and who on other occasions of rupture, as was the case from 1901 to 1905, were sufficiently protected by her own consuls—only seeks to disturb the cordial relations existing between the United States and Chile.”
Please inform the Secretary of State of the foregoing reasons and let him know that the communication of the Chargé d’Affaires of the United States at Santiago has not been answered in writing, Chile believing that it thus acts with greater deference towards the United States Government, and that it would have dealt in an identical way with any other friendly nation in the same position as the United States.
Santiago , April 4, 1910.