721.23/623: Telegram
The Ambassador in Peru (Dearing) to the Secretary of State
[Received 5:35 p.m.]
243. 1. Embassy informed Peru making strenuous efforts directly and through Chile to induce Brazil to stop Colombian flotilla from going up Amazon or to intercede with Colombia in some way so conversations for some arrangement of Leticia matter can continue here.
2. Chile is improving situation to benefit her commercial interests and I can see no promising advance in Peruvian ideas under new Foreign Minister. In two conversations initiated by him I have told him plainly that in my opinion Peru must do nothing to obstruct reestablishment of Colombian authority at Leticia and that until the present wrong is righted Peru cannot expect to have the good opinion of the world or to have anything to say about treaty revision, [Page 313] and that a solution and the responsibility in the present situation clearly lie with Peru which can at any moment by a simple public declaration rectify the whole matter. Further report by mail.
My 238.33 Colombian Minister informs me Olaya has not empowered Ortiz to speak officially and has no intention of considering any geographical changes or compensation based on the present state of affairs.