723.2515/903a: Telegram

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

[Paraphrase]

34. Señor Velarde, who has just arrived in New York, will sail for Peru April 15. The Department has no definite information in regard to Dr. Porras’ plans other than the report that he will arrive New York about April 18. The Chilean delegates will arrive here next week. If the delegates are to be required to wait for Velarde to go to Peru and return the Department feels that this delay would be fatal to the success of the conference. Impress the Department’s opinion upon the Peruvian Government that the conference [Page 463] should open as soon as possible and that the delegates should therefore remain in this country. Explain that, having invited delegates to come to Washington, the United States is very deeply interested in the success of the conference, and if, through an unfortunate misunderstanding, the success of the conference should be jeopardized by seeking to compel the Chilean delegation to remain here 6 weeks waiting for it to open, this Government would be very much disappointed.

Hughes