Office of the Historian

721.23/597: Telegram

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

Lima, December 21, 1932—midnight.
[Received December 22—4:04 a.m.]

238. Department’s 84, December 20, 6 p.m.

1.
Foreign Minister who continues ill has again had violent quarrel with the President and has resigned to take effect early in January. Meanwhile he would seem to be a figurehead and unable to commit this Government to any definite course.
2.
Polo informs me Maúrtua’s suggestion is not workable because it would never be accepted by Colombia.
3.
Maúrtua apparently has not informed Government of his conversation with White of November 16 or of his present suggestion and on 19th cabled a quite different suggestion to this Government. Details by mail.
4.
I have on excellent authority Maúrtua not in confidence of Foreign Minister who is refusing to have anything to do with him.
5.
Ortiz has gone far, apparently too far, in arranging a direct settlement. Polo affects to believe Ortiz memorandum implies Colombia’s willingness ultimately to exchange Leticia for other territory. Accusations of bad faith can thus grow out of the situation and the matter become more confused since Lozano insists this can never be.
6.
Polo states the notes to be exchanged were sent to the Foreign Minister’s home today and that word is expected momentarily from the Colombian Foreign Minister for the arrangement to go through.
7.
Foreign Office expected to announce settlement Christmas Day but his resignation and Colombia’s probable definition of just what she understands the Ortiz memorandum to mean will doubtless make settlement impossible.
8.
Meanwhile it seems doubtful that Maúrtua has any weight in this Government and the President is trustworthily reported to be becoming more aggressive as news concerning the Colombian punitive expedition now reported to be en route from Curasao to the Amazon becomes more definite.
9.
Further report by mail.
Dearing