723.2515/2447: Telegram
The Consul at Arica (Von Tresckow) to the Secretary of State
[Received June 15—8:45 a.m.]
From Lassiter. At meeting of the Plebiscitary Commission today Edwards read a statement the whole purpose of which was to substantiate his position that Commission did not have legal right to pass resolution [Page 483] terminating the proceedings. His statement is a long, unsound argument which may impress those who are wholly unacquainted with the [situation?]. It was not, however, particularly offensive in tone. He refused to take any part in the vote on motion to terminate, saying that his attitude was one of nonparticipation.
Freyre read a short statement and gave his vote in the affirmative.
I read a long statement which I am having cabled to you,30 and then voted in the affirmative and the motion to terminate the plebiscitary proceedings was carried.
I then attempted to have considered the liquidation of the Commission’s affairs. Edwards immediately announced, by direction of his Government, that he was now the only legal member of the Plebiscitary Commission; that he did not recognize Freyre and me, as our action in his opinion was wholly illegal and had separated us from the Commission; and that it would be necessary for the Arbitrator and Peru to appoint new members. I asked him to elaborate his idea and to explain what it meant. He said that it meant simply that Freyre and I had voted ourselves out of the Commission.
I told him I refused to recognize any such attitude; the Commission, I said, was still in being for purpose of liquidating its affairs and remained in being until final adjournment. I then proposed two resolutions for the division of property and audit of funds; resolutions were adopted by majority vote, Edwards in regard to each making the claim that he did not recognize any further resolution passed by the Commission. He agreed later to collaborate informally with the committees who were to look after these matters.
Freyre took the same position that I took; and as far as this meeting was concerned, Edwards’ attitude was merely ignored. I inquired if he intended to obstruct action of majority of Commission, or to take any other positive stand. He intimated that he did not; but when he was pressed to say what his attitude really was and what it was he proposed to do, he said he would have to consider that at a later date. When I asked why he did not take an appeal he said that he could not appeal because Commission’s action was a nullity.
I adjourned the Commission to meet Wednesday at 11 a.m. There was no particular ill-feeling manifested, and at end of meeting Edwards conversed with me in a jocular manner. He told me that his dramatic move had been suggested by Mr. Lansing in Washington.31
At 5 o’clock full publicity was given to action taken by Commission. Statement I had cabled to you June 9, 11 p.m., the text of the [Page 484] termination resolution, and the statements made today by Freyre, Edwards, and me were given out.
I propose to close affairs of Commission and to have personnel leave here on boat sailing June 20. I do not know whether Edwards will offer any objection to shipment of records, but I intend to ship them unless he does object.32 Lassiter.
- Not printed; for text, see Plebiscitary Commission, Press Release, No. 29, June 14, 1926. This statement was made available to the press by the Department of State when received by cable from Arica.↩
- Robert Lansing, Secretary of State, June 23, 1915, to Feb. 13, 1920, and counsel for Chile during negotiations under good offices.↩
- By a resolution of June 16, 1926, the Plebiscitary Commission authorized transfer of its records to Washington and the release of personnel (file No. 723.2515/2465).↩