723.2515/466: Telegram
The Ambassador in Chile (Shea) to the Acting Secretary of State
[Received 11.39 p.m.]
Strictly confidential for the Department and for transmission to Mission at Paris.
In conversation with Agustin Edwards, who called at the Legation today, he stated that yesterday the President commissioned him to take up directly with President Wilson the Tacna Arica question and bring about a settlement in accordance with President Wilson’s policy.
He expressed the hope that he might be summoned to call on the President either in Washington or Europe at an early date and added that he deplored the fact that the offer of assistance made December 4 by President Wilson49 had not been accepted and stated that he believed that the Government of Chile also realized [Page 156] its mistake in not accepting the offer. He stated that his commission was subject to ratification by the Minister for Foreign Affairs, who is at Vina, but that he had no doubt about the latter’s approval.
He is extremely friendly and very much in earnest and I believe his work is effective. He will deliver a speech at the Union Club, Saturday evening which he outlined to me today. It will be along the same line but somewhat stronger than his Valparaiso speech, reported March 21.50 I am to have another talk with him later in the week.
He stated that his work was to be supplemental to and in aid of the Yanez Mission.51 It is my personal opinion, however, that his instructions will be more definite and will enable him to act more directly than this Mission.
He sails on the Santa Lisa, April 2, arriving New York about April 20.