723.2515/3342: Telegram
The Ambassador in Chile (Culbertson) to the Secretary of State
[Paraphrase]
Santiago, April 17, 1929—8
p.m.
[Received April 18—1:28 a.m.]
63. My 62, April 17, 11 a.m. This evening the Government of Chile
transmitted to Ambassador Figueroa for submission to President Leguia
the following suggestions to be incorporated in the proposal of
settlement to be made by the President of the United States of America
to Chile and Peru:
- “(a) The division of the territory
in two parts, Tacna for Peru and Arica for Chile. The
dividing line shall commence at Escritos on the coast and
continue 10 kilometers to the north of the Arica-La Paz
railroad and run in its entirety parallel to that railroad,
and follow the geographical features of the land as far as
the frontier of Bolivia. The Uchusuma Canal will remain in
Peruvian territory, and the Azufre tributary (Tacora) in
Chilean territory, and the line shall divide Laguna Blanca
in equal parts. A commission of engineers
[Page 771]
to delimit the frontier shall
be named by Chile and Peru and, in case of disagreement, the
President of the United States of America shall appoint a
third as referee.
- (b) The Government of Chile will
give to Peru within the Bay of Arica a pier, a building for
a custom house, and a station for the railway from Arica to
Tacna with absolute control by, and the rights of a free
port for, Peru. These works shall be constructed at the
expense of the Government of Chile.
- (c) The Government of Chile will
turn over to Peru the sum of 40,000,000 pesos in Chilean
currency (in the legal money of Chile) or $5,000,000.
- (d) All real estate and public
works belonging to the Government of Chile shall be turned
over to the Government of Peru by Chile without cost.
- (e) The Government of Chile shall
recognize the concession which the Arica-Tacna railway
enjoys in Arica.
- (f) The Government of Chile shall
turn over the territory of Tacna to Peru 30 days after the
treaty is ratified.
- (g) The Government of Chile shall
construct a monument on the Morro at Arica commemorative of
the peace.
- (h) Chile and Peru shall not
without previous agreement amongst themselves concede to a
third party any part of the territory or alter the actual
system of international railways.”
The above information was brought to the Embassy by the Assistant
Secretary of State, who added that the withdrawal of the Morro
fortifications is not mentioned because the Government of Chile does not
want to include this clause in the treaty but that it is understood that
these fortifications shall be withdrawn. The Assistant Secretary of
State recommended that the information conveyed in this telegram be kept
strictly confidential until a reply has been received from Peru.
