723.2515/3351: Telegram
The Ambassador in Peru (Moore) to the Secretary of State
[Received April 25—6:55 a.m.]
81. I had an interview with President Leguia after his conference with Ambassador Figueroa this afternoon. President Leguia stated that the Chilean Ambassador had presented a proposed draft of the agreement for the settlement of the Tacna-Arica dispute, but that in the proposed draft the boundary lines which they had previously agreed upon had been changed, and that he could not accept this, not at least until he had time to study these matters with his engineers and experts. President Leguia told Ambassador Figueroa that he could not give him a definite answer before April 27.
The President also stated that they had a clause that the port of Arica was not to be fortified, and this was omitted. The Chilean Ambassador explained that they would be willing to agree to this in a separate note.
President Leguia and Ambassador Figueroa then discussed the question as to how the matter would be put up to President Hoover, and Ambassador Figueroa replied that Ambassador Davila had suggested that the Peruvian and Chilean Ambassadors in the United States together present the agreement to Secretary of State Stimson, and that he would in turn transmit it to President Hoover for his approval. President Leguia stated that as long as President Hoover made the decision he was satisfied, but that he wanted to be certain that it was satisfactory to the President of the United States.
President Leguia requested me to inform you that so far as this feature of the settlement is concerned he desires to do just what you [Page 776] feel will be best for all concerned, and the easiest for you and the President. President Leguia’s one desire is to have the decision made by President Hoover.