723.2515/1633: Telegram
The Consul at Arica ( Von Tresckow ) to the Secretary of State
[Received October 10—12:50 a.m.]
From Pershing: At the meeting of the Plebiscitary Commission held on October 8, I introduced the resolution which was the subject of my cable Sept. 24, 10 a.m., and suggested that it go over for [Page 391] consideration at meeting Oct. 10; suggestion was agreed to unanimously.
Today I received a letter from Mr. Edwards in which, after referring to my resolution and to the opinion of my legal advisers, which I read in support of resolution, the Chilean Commission asserts that the gravity of the documents and their unexpected scope make it imperative that he should wait for special instructions from his Government, and he accordingly requested postponement of the meeting arranged for tomorrow. Mr. Edwards closed his letter by saying that although he thought that his Government would be willing to consider any reasonable suggestion to give every qualified voter protection and freedom to which he is entitled, he was sure that it would not surrender, however unfortunate might be the consequences, any of the rights which Chile enjoys under Treaty of Ancon and arbitral award. Among these, he reminded me, was right to full, unrestricted exercise of all the powers pertaining to sovereignty, a right which the Government of Chile was determined to preserve undiscussed and untouched through all the plebiscitary proceedings and which would only be surrendered if and when the vote of the plebiscite shall have decided that it shall terminate.
On receipt of Edwards’ letter and in accordance with procedure that the Commissioner of Chile had suggested some time ago and has heretofore obtained, I sent one of my staff to him with request that he call at my residence for consultation with me. He declined to call but said that he would be at home all day.
I have informed Mr. Edwards in writing that I saw no reason for postponing tomorrow’s meeting; that it might profitably be devoted to discussion of the resolution, but that resolution will not be permitted to come to a vote at the meeting except with his consent.
At the meeting tomorrow I expect to present results of observation and investigation by me and by my staff, in support of my resolution.
The situation has not improved. Evidence continues to come in of repressive and oppressive activities against Peruvians. Nothing less than is called for by my resolution can be considered as a first step toward further progress with the plebiscite.
I believe that time for representations from the Secretary of State to the Government of Chile has now arrived. Pershing.