823.00/261: Telegram
The Minister in Peru (McMillin) to the Acting Secretary of State
[Received 10.50 p.m.]
Confidential. Your July 7th 1 p.m. Legations July 5th, 5 p.m. and July 6th, 10 a.m. Leguia’s declaration assuming Presidency provisionally reported in Legations July 5th, 5 p.m. further confirmed in the note published yesterday to Supreme Court signed by new Minister of Justice Osores saying “The President Augusto Leguia [Page 724] has assumed the Presidency of the Republic with provisional character until the next session of Congress and named Cabinet etc.” Names of Cabinet given Legations July 4th, 9 p.m. except Minister of War now changed to Colonel Bedoya.
Leguia’s election to Presidency had not been definitely determined as such contest would go before Congress to meet July 28th. See Legations July 6th, 10 a.m. concerning Supreme Court suspension of consideration of the contested Congressional election cases. I am reliably informed that Provisional Government proposes call new elections for Congress and amendment to Constitution.
Regular inauguration of the President August 17th.
Dean of the Diplomatic Corps has called a meeting today at the request of certain members to exchange ideas upon the present situation. From informal conversation at the French Legation inclined to believe French and British will recommend recognition of Leguia. British new Chargé d’Affaires more inclined to take hasty action than French Minister, probably moved by pending negotiations of British railroad interests in Peru.
Pardo, Minister of War and Minister of Gobernacion with some minor officials still in prison.
Consul General of the Netherlands informed Legation that American Consul General visited Leguia July 4th at the Palace; every other American official has followed strictly course indicated by the Department. Leguia sent his card to the Legation 4th of July and bearer informed that no reception held. La Prensa July 5th reported that Nuncio, American Minister and the British Chargé d’Affaires called on Leguia, British Chargé d’Affaires and I did not go and on private notification La Prensa made correction on own responsibility. Nuncio’s visit at the request of Pardo family and personal.