718.1915/853
The Minister in Costa Rica (Davis) to the Secretary of State
[Received September 16.]
Sir: Referring to this Legation’s confidential despatches No. 1554 and 1568 dated June 5 and June 21, 1929, respectively, and the Department’s cablegram No. 25 dated June 22, 3 p.m., with reference to the proposed mediation of the Government of Chile in the boundary controversy between Costa Rica and Panama, I have the honor to submit the following report on recent developments in this matter:—
When Mr. Tomas Arias, Panaman Minister in Costa Rica, returned to Costa Rica on August 21st after a leave of absence in Panama, he was quoted in the local press as having stated that the Government of Chile had offered to act as mediator in the boundary dispute, but that the Government of Panama desired 1c treat with the Government of Costa Rica in this matter in an effort to settle the controversy by direct negotiations. The following day, Minister Arias gave out an interview in which he rectified this statement.
In the meantime, however, the Chilean representative in Costa Rica informed the Costa Rican Government of the first statement made by Minister Arias. The Private Secretary of President González has informed me that the Chilean Government has now informed its representative here that it will make its good offices available only in case both governments jointly request the cooperation of the Chilean Government.
I have [etc.]