721.23/802: Telegram (part air)
The Consul at Geneva (Gilbert) to the Secretary of State
[Received January 20—7:23 a.m.]
7. 1. The following are texts of telegrams dated January 16th addressed to the President of the Council by Colombia and Peru, respectively, in answer to telegrams cited in Consulate’s number 6, January 16, 2 p.m.
(a) —“I have the honor to acknowledge receipt of Your Excellency’s cable transmitting telegram sent to the Peruvian Government informing it of the communication regarding the position at Leticia sent by the Colombian delegate to the League Secretariat for its information. In the cable in question Your Excellency expresses the conviction that Colombia will refrain from any act contrary to League Covenant. While thanking Your Excellency for this communication and for the interest shown by you in the maintenance of peace in America I have the honor to inform you that in the action which my Government proposes to take with a view to the restoration of order in Leticia there is nothing contrary to the letter or spirit of the Covenant.
A group of seditious persons of Peruvian nationality disavowed and deposed the legitimate authorities in the township of Leticia; no country has disputed or doubted that this port belongs to Colombia and our sovereignty over it has been expressly accepted by it since it has affirmed as it has done many times before, that it does not repudiate the frontier treaty between Colombia and Peru. The sole object of the Colombian Government in sending forces to Leticia is to restore public order which has been transgressed in an undisputed part of Colombian territory and the forces which are to carry out a primary duty of this Government will only be allowed to use roads which they are fully entitled to use under public treaties and over which it has jurisdiction. Apart from this object the Colombian forces have no aggressive designs against any country or any government; they are going to exercise their right within their own territory and will do so without in any way disturbing [Page 407] international peace unless the Peruvian Government attempts to prevent by force the legitimate use of that right. In this latter case, and if our forces are obliged to repel an unjust aggression, it would be the aggressor who would violate the League Covenant and not Colombia which always regards this Covenant as one of its most sacred international obligations and one which is most worthy of respect.”
(b) —“In reply to your telegram I have the honor to inform you that the Peruvian delegate will explain the views of my Government regarding the Leticia incident for the information of the members of the League and in the meantime I can assure Your Excellency that Peru faithful to her traditions will not take any action contrary to the League Covenant. I must, however, draw the attention of the League to the fact that although the mediation offered by the Brazilian Government is pending, considerable Colombian naval forces are at the moment advancing against Leticia on the pretext that the question is a purely internal one although foreign mediation in this matter has been accepted and although other governments are making friendly representations with a view to securing a peaceful settlement. Our attitude which is exclusively defensive is also in contrast with that of Colombia which has expended considerable sums in order to improvise a numerous fleet which it is announced that she will proceed from Manãos with the troops she has disembarked, in order to attack Leticia, which constitutes the commencement of an aggression against Peru, whose responsibility is thus covered. My Government is not unmindful of the treaty in force with Colombia. It merely desires the modification of that portion of the treaty which has proved to be inapplicable and is prepared to accord appropriate territorial compensations with a view to facilitating reparation for serious injustice and thus consolidating its century old friendship for Colombia.”
2. I am reliably informed that this matter is being placed on the agenda of the Council with the tentative date for its consideration January 24.