824.00/89: Telegram
The Minister in Bolivia (Maginnis) to the Secretary of State
[Received August 2—3:15 p.m.]
96. Yesterday I received communication from Escalier expressing great anxiety of the Junta over the mobilization in Chile and concentration of troops in the North. He asked that United States use its good offices to prevent aggression by Chile. Immediately afterwards conferred with Chilean Chargé d’Affaires who again assured me that Chile has no aggressive intention. I asked him [Page 379] about the rumor that Chile is considering the formal annexation of Tacna and Arica in order to settle finally the questions [of] the Pacific. He emphatically denied that Chile has any such intentions but intimated that Chile considers this propitious time for a settlement of the problem. I conferred informally with Escalier and informed him that United States is using its good offices with Chile and that I feel sure Chile will not make any move against Bolivia unless provoked. He again assured me that Bolivia will be very careful not to antagonize Chile and stated that new Government is particularly anxious for the help of the United States, first in recognition and afterward with its good offices with Peru and Chile in a settlement of the international problem. He also informed me that Carlos Victor Aramayo leaves London, August 4th, arriving in New York 16th, and will proceed to Washington as confidential agent.