825.00 Revolutions/225: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Chile (Culbertson)
Washington, October
12, 1932—6 p.m.
83. Your 216, October 6, 5 p.m., and 217, October 11, 6 [7] p.m. Your despatch No. 127657 has not yet been received.
- 1.
- We are of course not bargaining over the question of recognition and must be careful to avoid giving any appearance of bargaining.
- 2.
- It would seem that if the present Government is to be consistent in maintaining its theory that it is the constitutional successor of the Montero Government, this would mean that the present Government disavows and regards as non-existent all the acts, decree laws, et cetera, of the intervening regimes. You should inquire on this point of the Foreign Minister and ascertain exactly what the position of his Government is as to the various decree laws of the regimes since Montero’s overthrow.
- 3.
- In any case we feel that there should be some assurance given by the new Government regarding respect for international obligations. Of course we have not the slightest desire to contest their theory of constitutionality, but as a practical matter we must know where we stand on the question of the present Government’s respect for international obligations.
- 4.
- Please cable your estimate of the stability of the present Government. Does it appear to have the general acquiescence of the people? Are its orders carried out by the administrative authorities throughout the country? Are there any subversive movements?
- 5.
- After receipt of reply from you as to assurances of the new Government regarding respect for its international obligations, and as to your own estimate of the question of stability, Department will consider matter further and instruct you concerning recognition.
- 6.
- Please cable translation of the communication from the present régime mentioned in first sentence of your No. 216.
Stimson
- Dated October 5; not printed.↩