723.2515/2150a: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Chile (Collier)
52. I gave the following statement to the press this noon.
“Concerning the pending negotiations for the settlement of the Tacna Arica dispute, the Secretary of State has been advised that the suggestion which he made to the Plenipotentiaries of Peru and Chile [Page 387] at their last meeting here on April 15th has been given partial publicity in the capital of one of the countries involved. In order to avoid confusion and possible misunderstanding the Secretary, acting with the consent and approval of both Plenipotentiaries, now deems it wise to make public the full terms of this suggestion, which are as follows:”
(Here follows the proposal quoted in my April 15th 8 p.m. to you.59)
“The Secretary further stated that in view of certain press comments, and particularly in view of a statement issued to the press by the Foreign Office of Chile, he thought he ought to say that the idea of neutralization of the territory in dispute has been from time to time, in the course of this controversy, advanced informally by publicists and others on both sides in such a manner as to lead him to believe it might prove acceptable to both Peru and Chile. This type of solution was in particular advocated by Señor Agustin Edwards, the Chilean Delegate on the Plebiscitary Commission, to General Pershing just before his departure from Arica, and General Pershing laid it before the Secretary of State on his arrival in Washington. It has also informally come to the attention of the Secretary from Peruvian sources. Naturally informal proposals of this character are not binding upon the respective Governments, who now have the entire suggestion, as above set forth, under consideration. The Secretary of State merely desires it to be understood that in exploring all the avenues of adjustment he is taking advantage of every proposal which seems to have a reasonable prospect of success.
The statement issued to the press on April 16th by the Foreign Office of Chile above referred to is as follows.”
Here follows the Foreign Office statement quoted in your 76 April 16th noon.