723.2515/3386: Telegram
The Bolivian Minister for Foreign Affairs (Elio) to the Bolivian Minister (Diez de Medina)32
Yesterday, Saturday, I had a conference with the Chilean Minister, telling him that Bolivia knows of the initiative of his Government to limit the right of Peru and Chile to transfer territory, and to establish international railroads. I told him that the proposition contained an unfriendly tendency because it limited free contract in the future both regarding the territory and international railroads.
The Bolivian attitude of indifference towards the Chile and Peru arrangement has been abandoned to protest against the restrictive convention which signifies an entente against Bolivia whose right to have her own port we will see satisfied in the future by a political-economic solution with one State or the other.
Both nations said on various occasions to Bolivia that they would satisfy her right to free maritime communication immediately the sovereignty of Tacna and Arica was defined.
If the Chilean proposal is accepted, the future situation will be more difficult.
We desire that both nations maintain complete liberty to treat with Bolivia regarding sovereignty and international communications.
I replied to him that a condominium directed against Bolivia would produce a very unfavorable impression on public opinion.
You may inform that friendly Government (the United States) regarding this conversation.
- Handed to Assistant Secretary White by the Attaché of the Bolivian Legation, May 1, 1929.↩