723.2515/815: Telegram

The Chargé in Peru (Sterling) to the Secretary of State

97. Your January 20, 4 p.m. Immediately upon receipt of your instruction I saw the President. He assured me again of his unqualified acceptance of the invitation and stated that he had not considered the wording of the reply prejudicial to such acceptance for the reason that arbitration under United States auspices was clearly to be inferred from the meeting of the representatives at Washington. He is conferring with the foreign relations committees of Congress this morning.

The Government has been confronted with the difficulty of placating public opinion and at the same time replying in terms of unqualified acceptance. This difficulty was increased by Chile giving publicity to the invitation and proclaiming it was a triumph for Chile. These press despatches were received just before I presented the American note and influenced the answer. The Government held up their publication for 24 hours. If they had reached the public the result might have been to block negotiations. I obtained what concessions were possible as the question of time was highly important.

Sterling