723.2515/1634: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Consul at Arica (Von Tresckow)
For Pershing: I called in Chilean Ambassador today and read him my telegram to Ambassador Collier of Oct. 10, 6 p.m. Ambassador [Page 396] Mathieu agreed with construction of award and its legal effect as stated to Collier by me in telegram referred to, and expressed gratification that I had authorized our Ambassador in Chile to make such statement to Minister for Foreign Affairs. He then said that it was his opinion that trouble had arisen from Peruvian agitators on the Ucayali who had fomented trouble, and that great mistake of Chileans had been to respond in kind, and that they had done so fourfold.
Ambassador Mathieu then said that in present political situation in Chile, for Government to withdraw the Chilean forces from the province would be very difficult if not impossible. The civil parties had at last all agreed upon a single candidate for Presidency.66 Candidate of the military party had been withdrawn, showing that Chile is succeeding in subordinating military to civil control. But situation is still very delicate and military would deeply resent action of withdrawal as reflection upon them; he felt that precisely same end could be reached by keeping army in the provinces but by confining them to their barracks; then they could cause no difficulty.
The Ambassador referred to the carabineers, police, etc., stating that trouble lay not with individuals of minor rank but with those higher in scale. He named two who were certainly implicated in what had been taking place, and said that while they are good fellows, they are only second or third-rate men, and desired to acquire credit for themselves by winning plebiscite. He thought that if Chilean Government would remove them and appoint first-rate men in their places who would have respect and confidence of all concerned, trouble from minor officials would immediately cease. The very fact that first-rate men should replace two high provincial officials would show minor officials they would have to change their tactics, and new appointees on taking office would also make fact plain to them. He said that of course these men could not be thrown out of office in brutal sort of way, but should be permitted to resign as of own volition stating that as they had lost confidence of Peruvians and of American Commission they did not wish to stand in way of well-known desire of Government of Chile to carry out free and fair election, and for that reason tendered their resignations.
The Ambassador said he had already made this suggestion to Chilean Government, and that the Government had appeared favorable to it; he said he would reiterate his views and would suggest that Edwards make his proposal along above lines to you in answer to and as counterproposition to your resolution. He said that on [Page 397] hearing from Santiago that Edwards would do so, he would suggest that you give matter most careful consideration. I said that I should be glad to do so.
I am transmitting this information to you before hearing from Ambassador Collier, as I wish to afford you ample opportunity to think matter over. It seems to me that Mathieu’s proposal offers possible way out. I am not familiar with conditions in provinces, of course, and am not able to say whether this will give necessary assurances that free and fair election be carried out. If it is your opinion that proposal gives necessary assurances, I feel it would be well to accept suggestion. Fully appreciate that Chilean Government should have acted on own initiative several weeks ago. If Government acts at this time, however, it will be because resolutions you presented have had necessary effect in making it clear you cannot be swerved from your course, and my telegram of Oct. 10, 6 p.m., will have shown Chilean Government that I consider your position legally sound. For these reasons, I feel that if aim can be accomplished by palatable means, we shall gain in harmony and in peaceful and unobstructed carrying out of plebiscite by accepting Mathieu’s suggestions.
Foregoing is solely for your information and no mention should be made to either Peruvian or Chilean Commissioners. I do not know, of course, what action Government of Chile will take on Mathieu’s recommendations.
- President Alessandri had resigned from office on October 1, 1925.↩