723.2515/1994: Telegram
The Consul at Arica (Von Tresckow) to the Secretary of State
From Lassiter. At meeting of Plebiscitary Commission yesterday afternoon, Peruvian Commissioner read long statement setting forth Chilean delinquencies, and concluded by offering resolution to postpone commencement of registration and all other acts connected with plebiscite election until conditions in plebiscitary territory were satisfactorily reformed.
[Page 322]Just before the meeting of the Commission, Mr. Freyre came to me to say that he was going to submit resolution calling for what he termed indefinite postponement; and that if resolution were voted down, he had instructions from his Government to withdraw. His action is based on the conditions which culminated on March 5 in Tacna when procession of Peruvians which included members of Peruvian plebiscitary delegation was stoned. Freyre said that these men telegraphed their Government stating that conditions were intolerable and recommending that Peru go no further with the plebiscite.
Chilean Commissioner said he wanted time to communicate with his Government. Accordingly, the vote on the resolution is delayed a couple of days, but with things as they are here it is indispensable that decision be reached promptly.
Conditions are not now compatible with fair plebiscite and responsibility rests with Chile. Merely to postpone plebiscitary operations would be useless. There are only two possible courses: (1) State candidly that conditions are incompatible with fair plebiscite, but continue with registration in hope that they may be improved; (2) terminate plebiscitary operations now and fix responsibility on Chile, where it belongs.
I am convinced that it is quite useless to proceed to registration in hope of amendment of conditions unless Department moves energetically to support such course by advising Chile that failure immediately to establish and maintain plebiscitary conditions which are satisfactory to the Commission will result in termination of plebiscitary operations with responsibility definitely fixed on her. …
After hearing from Department I intend to write to Freyre advising him of the two courses outlined above, except insofar as plan suggested involves action by the Department; and then to offer as substitute resolution one or other of the two courses suggested, whichever he may choose, unless he himself offers such a substitute
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- Lassiter
- Von Tresckow
- Telegram in two sections.↩