723.2515/2076: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Consul at Arica (Von Tresckow)
For Lassiter. I have telegraphed today to Ambassador Collier as follows:
[Here follows text of telegram No. 36, March 29, 4 p.m., to the Ambassador in Chile, supra.]
[Page 365]I have also transmitted a similar analysis of situation to Ambassador Poindexter. I wish to reiterate the point that best and perhaps only hope of settlement by negotiation lies in maintaining situation for the present just as it is. I am convinced that we are serving real interests of all the parties concerned by holding both Governments firmly to their responsibilities for the present situation and by maintaining intact the conditions conducive to a resort to negotiations, and not by taking any other course which would lead to terminating the plebiscite with almost certain result that door to negotiations would be closed and controversy perpetuated.