723.2515/1585: Telegram

The Consul at Arica ( Von Tresckow ) to the Secretary of State

[Paraphrase]

From Pershing: Referring to Department’s cable of August 11, 3 p.m., to American consul.

1. The restrictions to which the Department referred are embodied in two decrees, one of July 31, the other of August 4. The first decree (1) regulates travel between the cities of Arica and Tacna, restricting it to the railway and the main highway; (2) regulates travel within the Department of Nini, confining it to specified roads; (3) regulates travel to Arica harbor, and [from?] Bolivia, and access to vessels in the harbor; and (4) provides for further regulations by the Government of Arica. The second decree regulates in greater detail travel within the Province of Arica; in substance, it requires inhabitants of rural districts to travel to Arica along the main public road after having obtained permits which are visaed by the police at certain points en route and are taken up at the end of the journey, thus suspending direct transit from one rural community to another. The regulations apply to everyone, but members of delegations are provided with universal circulation cards. The confidential explanation of the Chilean Commissioner is that the restrictions embodied in the decrees are necessary to protect persons and rural property in view of the floating population which the coming plebiscite will bring into the province, but he denies any attempt to control the plebiscite. In my opinion the restrictions are unnecessary and are calculated to make a free and fair election impossible. I have taken up the restrictions informally with the Chilean Commissioner, and unless the matter is adjusted satisfactorily it will be brought before the Commission for action.

The Ordoñez incident was regrettable but not important. Señor Ordoñez,49 after having landed once and proceeded to Tacna, returned to the Peruvian transport and then attempted to land again without the circulation card which had been furnished him, and at the pier he was turned back by the police. As soon as the matter came to the attention of the Chilean Commissioner full written apologies were made. Señor Ordoñez has since returned to Tacna, and I regard incident as closed.

2. In regard to the general situation, the Peruvian member of the Commission on August 10 proposed provisions for neutralization of the territory.

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3. Chilean member holds that the Commission cannot even discuss the internal administration of the territory. He offers to consider these matters privately with me but he insists that the Commission is powerless to act. The issue on the Commission’s authority must be made soon. There is no doubt of Chilean oppression and intimidation of Peruvians. Members of my delegation have already discovered several cases. The general attitude of the Peruvian population is one of abject fear.

Referring again to the matter of circulation, that is, of travel restrictions, the Chileans hold it to be entirely within their authority, but they will submit decrees to me for suggested changes. The Chilean attitude is very rigid and determined, although they assert that they are ready to guarantee free and fair treatment to the Peruvians. I am trying to keep the proceedings of the Commission confidential in order to avoid public discussion in both countries. Under existing conditions a fair plebiscite is quite impossible and it will be difficult task to bring the parties together, so bitter is the animosity between them. Pershing.

Von Tresckow
  1. Oscar H. Ordonez, Peruvian Commissioner on the Special Boundary Commission.