File No. 723.2515/259.
The American Minister to Chile to the Secretary of State.
Santiago, Chile, November 14, 1911.
Sir: I have the honor to report, in amplification of my telegram of the 9th instant, that Senator Walker Martinez presented on November 8 in the Senate a motion designed to provide representation in the Chilean Congress for the Provinces of Tacna and Arica.
As the Department is well aware, this territory, since the treaty of Ancon, has remained under the administrative control of Chile, pending the plebiscito which should determine its definitive status, but has not sent representatives to the Chilean Congress.
The Senator prefaced the introduction of his motion by referring to the law of October 31, 1884, which, after creating of the territories of Tacna and Arica “a Province of the Republic, provides that the laws of Chile shall rule in the new Province, and that its inhabitants shall enjoy the same guaranties secured by the Constitution to all inhabitants of the remainder of the Republic He claimed that, far from denying, this law safeguarded the rights of the Chileans in Tacna and Arica to be represented and to elect their municipalities, and that if they had not enjoyed these rights heretofore it was because the secondary laws fixing number of Senators and Deputies had omitted the name of the new Province. Pie stated that this omission was a generous compliment to Peru in giving a conditional appearance to the occupation, and that it was a proper one as long as the period fixed by the treaty had not elapsed, but now that the ten years and more had passed, and it had not been possible to come to an agreement with Peru, it was proper for the Chilean Congress to act. Mr. Walker restated the Chilean position as to the plebiscito provided by the treaty, and recommended that [Page 1211] Chile proceed, “with serene tranquillity”, to incorporate in all respects the territories of Tacna and Arica into the national life. He believed this definite act would tend to bring nearer the reestablishment of cordial relations with Peru. He then proposed the formal motion as an amendment to law No. 2453 of the 1st of February, 1911, which fixes the number of Senators and Deputies. The text of his speech and the press comments it called forth appear fully in the clippings which I forward in this mail.
No definite action seems to have been taken on the motion to incorporate the matter in the legislative program of the present session of Congress, without which no progress can be made. The press of all shades applauds the motion enthusiastically. Senator Walker is an Independent and the Government has not yet given any indication as to its attitude. The legislative deadlock continues, owing to the obstruction of the Liberal minority, and unless some compromise political arrangement is made with the minority, it is doubtful if even this question which appeals strongly to all Chileans will be allowed to make any progress in Congress.
The Sub-Secretary for Foreign Affairs, speaking informally and confidentially of the Tacna-Arica situation, intimated that the present intendente, Mr. Maximo Lira, would probably be transferred to another post, possibly a diplomatic one; that General Solar had accomplished more in the few weeks he had been there than the intendente had in years; that the Walker motion was not designed to force Peru’s hand, as Chile did not expect that any progress toward a settlement with Peru could be made while President Leguia remained in office.
In view of the delicacy of Chilean sensibilities I have been very guarded in all my references to this question, and have therefore not had occasion to hear an explicit statement of Chile’s policy, but I gather from such casual conversations as I have had that their present intention is to take stronger and more radical measures to “Chileanize” these Provinces.
The headquarters of the first division have been removed from Iquique to Tacna, and from the activity displayed in erecting fortifications at Arica and barracks, etc., at Tacna it would seem evident that it is the Government’s intention to use the troops there not only to guard against any sudden descent from Peru, but also as an instrument in the “Chileanization” of the district.
Many Peruvians have already left Tarapacá as a result of annoyances culminating in the Iquique riots last May, and a similar exodus is reported as in progress from Tacna and Arica. The resignation and return to Peru of Mr. Espejo, manager of the Peruvian Bank in Tacna, who, the Chilean papers say, was also Peruvian intendente of the Province and agent of the Bishop of Arequipa, has attracted much comment. His leaving is thought to be due to an intimation from General Solar.
The general staff of the Chilean army leaves for Arica on the 15th, ostensibly for the purpose of examining military situation and deciding upon the distribution of garrisons.
Colonel Echavarría, a member of the staff, told me the other day they expected to be gone about three weeks. He offered to take Lieutenant Hammond, military attaché, with him on his next visit [Page 1212] to the north, which he said would be shortly after his return from this trip. If the matter can be arranged simply and naturally, I shall send Mr. Hammond north on his return from the Argentine, as I feel somewhat handicapped by want of accurate information as to the situation, both political and military.
The opinion of the best informed of my colleagues is that, while Chile is very anxious to conclude this old matter, on the basis of her retention of the Provinces, she will not force the issue; that being in possession she feels secure, and will stand firmly on this possession until it shall be recognized diplomatically by Peru or challenged by force.
I have, etc.,