723.2515/3344: Telegram
The Ambassador in Peru (Moore) to the Secretary of State
[Received April 20—6:41 a.m.]
76. I saw President Leguia after his conference with Chilean Ambassador Figueroa today. President Leguia stated that they had reached an agreement as per my 75, April 16, 7 p.m. (paragraph 3 of my quotation of the President), except that the Chilean Ambassador said that his Minister for Foreign Affairs wanted the suggestion to come from him instead of from President Hoover.
Thereupon President Leguia told Ambassador Figueroa (as he had stated before) that the only way he would make a settlement would be to have hte compromise suggestion come from President Hoover.
[Page 772]Ambassador Figueroa said he would take it up with the Government of Chile and give President Leguia an answer as soon as possible.
President Leguia stated to me that he felt that his only protection was to have the suggestion come from the President of the United States. He said that he desired no friction over interpretation at any time, and that when the proposal came from President Hoover there could be no disputes. In addition, a suggestion from President Hoover would be more popular with the people of Peru than a suggestion from Chile. For all these reasons, therefore, President Leguia said that he must insist on this point.
If Chile agrees to it, President Leguia and the Chilean Ambassador will agree on the details and the text of the agreement will be sent to you to be submitted to President Hoover.
I emphasized to President Leguia that the question would have to be put up to President Hoover in such a manner that would in no way embarrass either him or you. President Leguia assured me that he would be quite willing to take suggestions as to the manner of presenting it. I personally think that I have a suggestion for submitting it which will make quite easy.