723.2515/2190: Telegram
The Consul at Arica (Von Tresckow) to the Secretary of State
[Received 7:50 p.m.]
From Lassiter. Mr. Edwards requested me to transmit the following telegram from him to General Pershing:
“I thank Your Excellency for your courteous and kind message and for the interest you continue to show in the future of this territory.
[Page 404]The Chilean Government has intimated to me that all the political aspects of this problem are in their hands and that in order to avoid misunderstandings I should even refrain from exchanging privately ideas such as were the subject of our conversations in Arica. The Government at Santiago was duly informed of those conversations and is in a position to decide whether they are prepared to use them as a basis of a solution. Your Excellency will no doubt remember that on each occasion on which we exchanged ideas on the political aspect of this problem I invariably stated that it was my conviction that my Government would not consider political solution until the plebiscite had taken place and given a clean title to the winning country.
That conviction of mine is stronger today than ever, for the current of Chilean public opinion in favor of the plebiscite, now that our registered voters have reached 5,500, is overwhelming; and I am sure that Your Excellency could not help more efficiently towards a rapid and permanent solution than by exercising your powerful influence to remove any difficulty that may be hindering the execution of the arbitral award.
The 5,500 voters have been registered after complying with the severe qualification test established in the election regulations and after thorough examination by the American president of each registration board. That number of voters qualified under the award represents an overwhelming proportion of the potential electorate of this territory; and therefore, even if Peru had not refused of her own free will to participate in the election, the plebiscite would confirm the fact that the great majority of the inhabitants are Chilean at heart. Under the circumstances it seems to me unjust and unwise to disregard the rights they have acquired under the award and abandon the plebiscite for any other plan, however great and lofty it may be.
This matter is entirely in the hands of my Government and it is for them to decide whatever course they consider best for the continuing of peace in this part of the world.
Please accept my warmest regards. Augustin Edwards.”