723.2515/1678: Telegram
The Ambassador in Chile (Collier) to the Secretary of State
[Received 11:20 p.m.]
117. Within last three days I have been visited several times by Peruvians who have been expelled from the Provinces of Tacna and Tarapaca and who are now held in Santiago against their will but are permitted freedom within the city limits and are maintained decently here at expense of Chilean Plebiscitary Bureau. Only few are from Tacna or assert that they are qualified voters in the plebiscite, but all are Peruvians. They told me that many persons are similarly situated in Santiago and in neighboring cities and they have given me many names and residences. They allege that 300 natives of Province of Tacna who have completed the ordinary period of military service are still held in Chile. These may be men referred to in my telegram No. 77, August 20.
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Does Department wish me to take any steps to inquire into these or similar charges that may hereafter be made? I believe that the Chilean Foreign Office would not refuse request for information, indeed, that it would suggest inquiry by us were complaints even mentioned to them. Does Department desire that any representations be made or that any assurances be asked of Government of Chile? Delay may mean practical loss of rights to Peruvians. It is possible that present Ministry of Foreign Affairs knew nothing about these matters until very recently, but the officer in charge of the Plebiscitary Bureau here had personal charge of those detained and administered funds for their maintenance.