721.2315/176: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Brazil (Morgan)
17. Peruvian Government will accept Procès Verbal only on following condition:
- 1.
- That in third proposal of Secretary of State the words “immediately after the ratification of the above treaty” be deleted.
- 2.
- In the second sentence of the declaration of the Colombian Minister that the words “should be ratified by the Government of Peru” be changed to read “should be ratified by both Governments.”
- 3.
- That the following be substituted for the declaration of the Peruvian Ambassador: “Doctor Velarde then stated that he also was authorized by his Government to express its acceptance of the friendly suggestion which the Secretary of State had just made and that as a consequence of the assurances just given his Government would immediately advise the Peruvian Congress thereof, repeating at the same time its recommendation that it approve the above mentioned boundary treaty with Colombia.”
Colombian Minister definitely accepts on behalf of his Government second and third modifications and also the first modification on the understanding that in the note of the Secretary of State transmitting to the representatives of Brazil, Colombia, and Peru the Procès Verbal it be stated with reference to the third suggestion of the Secretary that it is of course understood that the signing of the Brazilian–Colombian convention will follow the ratification by Colombia and Peru of the above mentioned treaty. The note would add that the Colombian Minister has repeated to the Department the assurance given by him in the Procès Verbal that his Government is ready to sign the Brazilian–Colombian treaty immediately after the ratification by Peru of the Peruvian-Colombian treaty.
Gracie unable to accept without instructions from his Government for which he is cabling. As he may be delayed in sending his cable on account of luncheon at Pan American Union in honor of Secretary of State followed by a meeting of the Board of Governors of the Pan American Union, please communicate above as soon as possible to Minister for Foreign Affairs. Department hopes that he will authorize Gracie to sign on above conditions. It may be pointed out that while Peruvian Ambassador’s statement omits reference to Brazilian condition for withdrawal of its objections to Colombian-Peruvian treaty, Brazil would appear to be fully covered by the direct assurance given by the Colombian Minister that his Government agrees to conclude immediately after the ratification of the Colombian–Peruvian treaty the treaty with Brazil recognizing the Tabatinga–Apaporis line and Brazilian dominion over the territory to the east [Page 457] thereof. Peru’s objection to making reference to this in its statement is that matter is one that concerns Brazil and Colombia only.
For your information it may be said that there has been a very ample exchange of telegrams between the Department and the Embassy in Lima during the last few days and the above represents the most that it has been possible to obtain from Peru. Procès Verbal should be signed tomorrow afternoon. Please endeavor to expedite Brazilian Government’s reply.