Paris Peace Conf. 723.2515/5: Telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to the Commission to Negotiate Peace
[Received December 21—1 p.m.]
56. Your 23, December 18, 12 p.m., Department’s 18 of December 11, 8 p.m. and 20 [22] of December 13, 4 p.m. No offer of mediation was contemplated or made. Both Chile and Peru clearly understand that the United States only offered its good offices if desired by both parties, to aid in settlement of present difficulty. No suggestion has ever been made to either party that the Tacna-Arica matter be laid before Peace Conference.
The Chilean Ambassador has already been informed by me that the Government of the United States feels that a settlement of [this?] question should be made. I would be pleased to have a further expression of your views in regard to form of arbitration to be suggested. Do you feel the arbitrator or arbitrators should be from this country?