723.2515/2406a: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Consul at Arica (Von Tresckow)
For Lassiter. Peruvian and Chilean Ambassadors met with me this morning and a further basis of settlement was formally submitted and discussed. Basis was accepted in principle by Peru but was objected to by Chile as not yet concrete enough. Both parties then undertook to communicate with their respective Governments so as to elicit definite suggestions on the matter. Both parties affirmed desire to continue the negotiations. Today I also received urgent request from Collier18 for postponement of action in Arica for week or little longer in order to give time for influences at Santiago in favor of settlement by Chile to become effective. Political situation in Chile is very complicated; and, though Government may not be in position to instruct Edwards to withdraw his motion at Saturday’s [Page 466] meeting of Commission, there are nevertheless some reasons for believing that Chile would not seriously object to reasonable postponement of any further action by Plebiscitary Commission in regard to plebiscite. In light of these conditions please avoid action on Saturday. Take an adjournment and inform me fully about Edwards’ proposals and attitude. I have adjourned meeting of the Peruvian and Chilean Plenipotentiaries here until Monday afternoon.
- Telegram No. 193, June 4, noon; not printed.↩