723.2515/3289: Telegram
The Ambassador in Chile (Culbertson) to the Secretary of State
[Received 10 p.m.]
33. (1) The Foreign Office is pleased with Ambassador Moore’s report that President Leguia will accept a port near the mouth of the Lluta River if the Chilean engineers can prove that such a port is possible. This morning the engineers were working at the Foreign Office.
(2) I have emphasized to the Government of Chile that the final settlement now depends on their making good on this assertion. I [Page 739] suggest that you point out to Ambassador Davila the difficult position that Chile will be in if she fails. If Chile succeeds, we have a solution; if Chile fails, we are in a strong position from which to urge Peru’s formula.
(3) Except for sentiment, Chile’s proposal No. 1 in my 31, March 9, 7 p.m., is the better. The statistics in Ambassador Moore’s 28, March 11, 5 p.m., and my despatch No. 106, February 11, 1929,8 show that an independent port under the sovereignty of Peru located 1500 meters more or less north of Arica would have no hinterland for development without running into vital interests of Chile. Moving it 300 meters farther north would not help. It places it opposite and near the shops of the La Paz railroad. A new station under Chilean sovereignty and a new customhouse which will fly the Peruvian flag would give Peru all the terminal facilities which she needs. It should be obvious that there is no commercial reason for a separate port for Tacna. If it is constructed, it will become a monument to sentimental folly—a port without trade. Nevertheless, if that is the way to get the question settled, I am for it.
(4) The Peruvian Ambassador in Chile is in a state of hopeful skepticism. I have urged him to procure and study the information of the Chilean engineers regarding the practicability of a port near the Lluta River, and to report his conclusions to President Leguia.
(5) I suggest that we work toward a joint declaration by Chile and Peru to be made through you before you go out of office, embodying the vital and essential points of the settlement. The Foreign Minister approves this procedure and thinks that it is possible. I hope that we can make it sufficiently concrete so that nothing will remain to be done except the elaboration of the details in the final treaty. Your 26, March 13, 11 a.m., will be answered as soon as possible.
I am sending a copy to the American Embassy in Peru.
- Latter not printed.↩