825.01/48: Telegram
The Ambassador in Chile (Culbertson) to the Acting Secretary of State
[Received 1:35 p.m.]
84. Referring to the Department’s telegram No. 31, July 27, 6 p.m., although wording of article 66 of Constitution does not provide specifically for transfer of power from one vice president to another, transfer of power referred to in my No. 83, July 27, 5 p.m., was declared to be by virtue of that article and in view of general object of article and the fact that procedure is deemed constitutional here I believe we may and should continue to consider that no question of recognition is raised. Retirement of President of Senate leaves new Government, at least for the present, more acceptable to the people, especially since Blanquier has now agreed to join the Cabinet as Minister of Finance.
Referring to the first paragraph of my telegram No. 81, July 26, 9 p.m., Congress yesterday refused request of Ibañez for permission to leave the country and declared the office of President vacant because [Page 908] of unauthorized departure of the President. Hence, under the Constitution, elections must be held within 60 days.