723.2515/1953: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Consul at Arica (Von Tresckow)
For Lassiter. Your February 20, 7 p.m. In answer to inquiry made your paragraph (2), I see no course for you but to push actively [Page 310] ahead with plebiscite. Pending the negotiations referred to in my memorandum to Governments of Chile and Peru, the authority of the Plebiscitary Commission and the general arrangement it has made for the holding of the plebiscite must be maintained unimpaired. For that reason you should not defer registration, in my opinion, but should proceed with all dispatch and in accordance with program. I have received a favorable response from Chile in reply to my memorandum, but no answer has yet come from Peru, apparently because presentation of memorandum has been delayed.
The Arbitrator is now prepared to hand down his decision in the cross appeals. Will a delay of a few days embarrass or delay you in any way? As printing is going on, I had assumed it would not. Please reply immediately.