721.2315/169: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Peru (Poindexter)
5. Your 5, February 26, 4 p.m. Department officially advised by Brazilian Chargé that he has instructions to sign Procès Verbal. Chargé also informed by his Government that it is telegraphing this information to Brazilian Chargé in Lima. You will please advise President and Minister for Foreign Affairs of above. Peruvian Ambassador has received telegram from his Government saying it has been advised from Rio that he (Velarde) has accepted Procès Verbal and asking explanation. In order to avoid any possible misunderstanding please endeavor to have Brazilian Chargé accompany you to President and Minister for Foreign Affairs and advise them that his Government has instructed Brazilian Chargé in Washington to sign the agreement. Cable when this is done.
Your last paragraph. Peruvian Ambassador called on Secretary of State on December 12, 3 p.m.,10 and stated that difficulty had [Page 449] arisen with respect to the boundary explaining that Brazil had taken exception to Peruvian-Colombian treaty on the ground that it affected her rights. He stated that Peru was very desirous that the whole matter should be harmoniously adjusted and knowing the wish of the Government of the United States to do all in its power to promote friendly relations in Latin America the Ambassador asked if the Secretary would look into the question and see if some suggestion could be made which would provide a harmonious solution. The Secretary of State said that he greatly appreciated the Ambassador’s suggestion; that the Government of the United States did not desire to interfere in matters in which it was not concerned, but that the Government was always desirous to aid by its friendly offices in the settlement of differences when other governments so desired. The Secretary said that he would look into the matter with which he was already to some extent conversant and that within a short time he would ask the Ambassador to come in and talk it over. The Ambassador expressed his appreciation.
The Colombian and Brazilian Governments formally requested this Government’s good offices11 and on the basis thereof the proposal was made which is now before the Peruvian Government.
The Peruvian Ambassador today confirmed the above statement, as made under explicit instructions from his Government. This Government is therefore much surprised at and at a loss to under, stand statement of President and Minister for Foreign Affairs that Peru had not requested the friendly offices of the Department.
Your despatch 312, November 17, 1924,12 would appear to indicate that Brazil’s objection to the treaty and disinclination of Peru to take any action which might be distasteful to Brazil was only cause of Peru withholding ratification of the treaty. Your No. 3, February 23, 6 [7] p.m., indicates that President Leguía would consider withdrawal by Brazil of its protest as removing his only objection to the ratification of the treaty and that arrangement as stated in Procès Verbal seemed a happy solution of the question and that if such an agreement were reached he would be glad to advise the Peruvian Congress to that effect and repeat recommendation that the pending treaty be ratified. Now that this condition has been met by the withdrawal of Brazil’s opposition you will please recall to President Leguía his views as expressed in your telegram above mentioned and point out that in carrying out the agreement he will be complying with the desires of the two neighboring Republics of Brazil and Colombia and will be contributing to the satisfactory solution of two [Page 450] more South American boundary disputes. Please request prompt instructions to Ambassador Velarde to sign the Procès Verbal as Department is most anxious to conclude matter before March 4.
- For memorandum by the Secretary of State of the conversation with the Peruvian Ambassador, see Foreign Relations, 1924, vol. i, p. 303.↩
- See note from the Colombian Legation, Nov. 28, 1924, and memorandum by the Secretary of State of a conversation with the Brazilian Chargé Dec. 12, 1924, 3:30 p.m., Foreign Relations, 1924, vol. i, pp. 300 and 304.↩
- Ibid., p. 296.↩