723.2515/805a: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Chile (Collier)89
2. In the contingency set forth below, you are instructed to address the Minister of Foreign Affairs as follows:
“The Government of the United States through the courtesy of the Ambassadors of Chile and Peru in Washington, has been kept informed of the progress of the recent negotiations carried on directly by telegraph between the Governments of Chile and Peru, looking toward a settlement of the long-standing controversy with respect to the unfulfilled provisions of the Treaty of Ancon. It has noted with the greatest pleasure and satisfaction the lofty spirit of conciliation which has animated the two Governments, and that as a result of these direct exchanges of views, the idea of arbitration of the pending difficulties is acceptable in principle to both. It has also taken note of the suggestion that representatives of the two Governments be named to meet in Washington with a view to finding the means of settling the difficulties which have divided the two countries.
Desiring in the interests of American peace and concord to assist, in a manner agreeable to both Governments concerned, in finding a way to end this long-standing controversy, the President of the United States would be pleased to welcome in Washington the representatives which the Governments of Chile and Peru may see fit to appoint, to the end that such representatives may settle, if happily it may be, the existing difficulties, or may arrange for the settlement of them by arbitration.”
Before doing so, however, you are instructed to arrange an early interview with the President or Minister of Foreign Affairs, or both, and inquire whether this action would be agreeable. This Government [Page 448] hopes that the progress already made by the two Governments in their direct negotiations, looking toward the settlement of their difficulties, will not be lost, and believes that if representatives of the two Governments should meet an honorable way may be found to reach a solution of the difficulties satisfactory to both. With a view to aiding, as far as it properly can, the peaceful settlement of this long-standing controversy, without departing from its traditional attitude of impartiality, the Government of the United States stands ready, if agreeable to both Governments, to make the above suggestion simultaneously, in a formal manner, to each.
For your confidential information, the Department believes that if the idea of a meeting of representatives in Washington with a view to agreeing upon the points to be submitted to arbitration is agreeable to both Governments, that no attempt should now be made to define the scope of the arbitration, save that it might be indicated that the arbitration might appropriately embrace all questions of alleged violations of the treaty or of the consequences of any failure to carry out provisions of the treaty, without however going so far as to ignore the treaty or to deal with the consequences of the war.
An identic telegram has been sent to Lima and you may so state.
Upon receipt of replies from Santiago and Lima, you will be appropriately instructed by cable with regard to the presentation of the note quoted above.
- The same, mutatis mutandis, to the Chargé in Peru (no. 3).↩