Office of the Historian

724.3415/2045: Telegram

The Ambassador in Chile (Culbertson) to the Secretary of State

Santiago, August 12, 1932—11 p.m.
[Received 6:37 a.m.]

164. Minister of Foreign Affairs believes and says that his Government is cooperating fully with the neutrals and that he desires to continue this cooperation in every way. He states that no negotiations are being carried out here for independent action but rather that his conversations with representatives of neighboring states, with Zalles and with Minister of Paraguay have had for their object the furtherance of a peaceful settlement through the neutrals. He added that nothing constructive had been suggested yet and it is his understanding that in case of such suggestions it would be made through the neutrals in Washington.

Showing much concern over the consequences in case Chile should be asked to exert pressure on Bolivia, for example, to prevent transshipment of arms said to be en route via Arica from Europe, he today raised the question, as on several occasions before, of what is the next step in case the neutral powers do not succeed. He answered his own question and may send his views to you in response to the invitation that the neutrals “will be glad to receive any suggestion”. Briefly, he has an idea that war might be prevented and a final solution found in a meeting of the Foreign Ministers of Bolivia and of [Page 178] Paraguay, representatives of the neighboring countries and a representative of the neutrals in Chile. He emphasized the vital material interest which the neighboring countries have in peace in nearby countries and contrasted it with the relatively remote interest of the neutrals. From this he concluded that a conference such as he proposed could be more effective in forcing a settlement. If the neighboring countries were to make such a proposal it might afford the neutrals an opportunity to suggest that the neighboring countries could contribute effectively to the settlement by making of their own initiative concessions which would secure for Bolivia a more satisfactory outlet to the sea.

Culbertson