323.2322/6: Telegram
The Chargé in Peru (Mayer) to the Secretary of State
[Received 8:30 p.m.]
188. My 179, September 1, 1 p.m. A reply from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs states that the two ladies and three children may leave the Embassy and embark whenever they desire with the most ample personal guarantees and that in respect to Señor Larranaga there is a guarantee for his departure from the Embassy subject to legal proceeding which could be instituted against him.
At a meeting of the diplomatic body yesterday to consider the replies which the different chiefs of mission received, it appeared that in every case, although in varying phraseology, the junta decline to recognize the letter or practice of the Treaty of Montevideo, setting itself up to all appearances as the arbitrator of whether the asilés were political refugees or to be classed as criminals.
The chiefs of mission of all the Latin American countries and the German Minister were greatly aroused at this arbitrary attitude on the part of the Peruvian authorities. A committee of five of the South American representatives was named to study the question and to try and devise formula which would afford a basis on which the various missions concerned could make similar but individual replies to the Foreign Office.
I observed that while sympathetic in principle that studying the question in the manner indicated, I reserved all liberty of action for Mr. Dearing on his arrival today.