723.2515/3367: Telegram
The Ambassador in Peru (Moore) to the Secretary of State
[Received 6:52 a.m.]
91. President Leguia tonight handed me the following memorandum:
“The memorandum suggested by Chile and Peru34 is so worded that it admits of two decisions by the President of the United States:
- First, recommendation to the parties to accept the conditions as embodied in the memorandum. This of course, will be accepted by both parties but will leave the figure of the President of the United States somewhat short of the brilliancy with which, as the head of the greatest nation now existing, he should always be surrounded.
- Second, that instead of a recommendation his decision should have all the character and be in essence an award. This will leave his great figure intact, will allow of no evasion by the parties from the most faithful compliance with it, and the authority of the Government of the United States will be so enhanced as to facilitate the solution of any new difficulties that may arise in the future, whatever their nature or origin may be.
For the foregoing reasons, it is of the utmost importance that his pronouncement on the memorandum with regard to the Tacna-Arica question should be an award, both in its spirit and its wording.”
The President added that he believed that, for the sake of pan-Americanism and the rightful position the United States should hold, President Hoover should make his suggestion an award, thus terminating the whole arbitral proposition. Such action he said would be beneficial to both countries and would be enthusiastically received by their respective peoples. President Leguia stated that of course he would be satisfied with anything President Hoover might do, but he desired to bring the matter to his attention before he made his decision.
Would it be possible to get an answer transmitted that I can present to President Leguia?