823.00 Revolutions/169: Telegram

The Ambassador in Peru (Dearing) to the Secretary of State

116. My 115, March 13, 11 a.m.9 Note from Foreign Office, apparently unsigned through inadvertence, number 11, March 12th, reads: [Page 913]

“Mr. Ambassador: I have the honor to inform Your Excellency that as a result of the negotiations undertaken for the unification of the national will and the pacification of the country carried out by the transitory Junta of Government headed by Commander Gustavo A. Jimenez, the Junta Nacional of Gobierno took oath of office yesterday March 11th instant and has assumed supreme command of the Republic. It is composed as follows: (Same as my 112, March 11, 4 p.m.).10

In informing Your Excellency as above, I take pleasure in assuring you that the National Junta of Government is resolved to comply strictly with the international obligations contracted by Peru and is animated by the determination to maintain and make closer the bonds of friendship which happily unite the Republic with the nation which Your Excellency so worthily represents.”

This is the first definite declaration that international engagements will be honored. Persistence in the recent attitude regarding a moratorium would vitiate this declaration but happily Vinelli’s11 attitude is indicative of good faith on the part of the provisional junta. In view of disaffection in the South, I believe I should defer recommendations to the Department regarding recognition until the situation is better defined which I expect will be within a few days. Recommendations will however be made as soon as seems advisable. Meanwhile the Embassy will carry on with the Foreign Office but make no reply to this second note also.

United Press correspondent, Nuncio, British and Japanese Ministers are inquiring regarding our attitude. I reply Embassy will carry on without raising question for present but is not inclined to create any difficulties. Opinion in all American circles is favorable to Ocampo government and Burdett,12 just returned from Arequipa, believes South unlikely upset present situation.

Dearing
  1. Not printed.
  2. Not printed.
  3. Minister of Hacienda in the provisional junta.
  4. William C. Burdett, Consul General at Callao-Lima.