723.2515/2283 supp.: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Consul at Arica (Von Tresckow)
For Lassiter. I have conferred here today with Mr. Hughes and Mr. Stimson. We are all agreed that fundamental premise of my telegram May 14, 4 p.m., is sound; namely, that expiration of registration period on Friday, May 21, raises no issue which requires action on that date. We are all clearly of the opinion, on contrary, that all action for present that in any way disturbs status quo so far as plebiscite is concerned should be avoided. We hope that it will be unnecessary for you to hold a meeting of Plebiscitary Commission [Page 438] for any purpose. If a meeting has to be held, however, for some routine reason unknown to us here, we advise that should either party offer resolutions adoption of which would alter existing status quo (for example by fixing date for election or by amending regulations affecting registrations), they should be laid on the table for future action. That is to say, the situation should be held exactly where it is, allowing matters to take their normal course without making any attempt to map out any future course of action or to forecast important decisions. It is of great importance that you give no indication what course you might think of taking in any contingency. Within the last 48 hours the situation in negotiations for settlement has greatly improved; and, while it is still delicate, we are more hopeful than we have ever been before of being able to effect a final settlement. It is not feasible to attempt to convey these developments to you by telegraph. I can only say that intimations of possible action on resolutions which have been suggested and have received consideration must not in any circumstances be given to either one party or the other, as to do so would, we believe, carry grave risk of misunderstanding, perhaps would raise false hopes or fears and would tend to change attitude towards settlement which, for the moment, is as satisfactory as we could expect it to be. You should keep all these matters entirely to yourself. We have weighed thoughtfully advantages and disadvantages of policy indicated above for your guidance, and are entirely convinced that by it best interests of all concerned will be served.