Historical Documents - Office of the Historian

723.2515/3292: Telegram

Washington, March 15, 1929—3 p.m.

29. Your 35, March 14, 3 p.m. I have discussed the contents of this telegram with Mr. Cady who states the following:

1.: As regards the port on the San José River, the bottom of this area was thoroughly investigated and found to be gravel and sand and dredging is entirely feasible. There is no solid rock. Distance to ten meter counter line is not necessarily important since the cost of dredging and the cost of breakwaters must be balanced one against the other.
2.: Mr. Cady states that from a general inspection of the coast north of Arica there was no place found that was worthy of a more detailed study.
3.: As regards the economizing of thirty-four kilometers of railroad on the Tacna-Arica railway to a port north of the River Molles, Mr. Cady says that this would be impossible, maintaining the grade of the railroad. The railroad from Arica rises at a uniform grade and to bring it down to the Coast at the same grade would require about the same amount of trackage.
4.: Mr. Cady states that he thinks that what the Chileans have in mind in suggesting a port at these places is a small lighterage port and not a real port in the sense of one to which ships can go to dock. It is possible that there may be small coves along this coast in which a lighterage pier could be built but nothing which would be suitable for a larger port such as he contemplated at the River San José.

Kellogg

Papers relating to the foreign relations of the United States, 1929, Volume I