Office of the Historian

723.2515/2187: Telegram

The Consul at Arica (Von Tresckow) to the Secretary of State

[Paraphrase]
Arica, April 23, 1926—11 a.m.
[Received 1:45 p.m.]

From Lassiter. Your telegram April 22, 2 p.m. I deem it my duty to explain how your proposition looks from here.

1.
In all probability Chile will consent to extension of present sort of registration at your request and then assert that she has accorded all reforms and all demands made on her, and that no one, therefore, can any longer oppose consummation of the plebiscite. No Peruvians will participate in this farcical registration, of course, and Chile’s pretended reforms would mean nothing. Thus without running any risks, Chile will greatly strengthen her position on the plebiscite and the Arbitrator’s representative will be placed in increasingly embarrassing position.
2.
As for the good offices, Chilean opposition will see that proposed maneuver is in Chile’s favor; and from state of relative discouragement they will, I think, pass to one of great encouragement while Peru will be correspondingly depressed.
3.
As I feel that your proposition is prejudicial not only to good offices but to future of the plebiscite (for I deem it wholly unnecessary as no date is set for election and above all it means yielding the dominating position to Chile), I urge the Department to cable me that it withdraws its request.
4.
If Department insists, I shall do what it requests, but I shall have to ask for an immediate understanding with it on further plebiscitary proceedings. Meeting of the Commission will be called for April 26, noon. I shall not communicate with either Freyre or Edwards until I hear further from you, and there will be plenty of time for you to notify Ambassador Collier.
5.
I should like to have your reply today. Lassiter.
Von Tresckow