721.23/894: Telegram
The Consul at Geneva (Gilbert) to the Secretary of State
[Received 2:15 p.m.]
26. Drummond informs me that the Colombian and Peruvian representatives at their own request called on him together last evening to discuss possible methods reaching a settlement of the dispute. Sir Eric asserts that he gained the clear impression that the Peruvian delegate was trying to find some method of solution which would allow his Government to “climb down” from a position which he did not think was tenable.
Drummond told them that he happened to know that the American Government had among other suggestions to the Peruvian Government urged it to accept the “Brazilian proposals”. The Peruvian delegate declared that it was the item in the proposal of the Brazilian Government that the temporary occupation of Leticia by the Brazilian authorities should terminate, he understood, in approximately 10 days, that was the most difficult point for the Peruvian Government to accept. The ensuing discussion developed the idea that it might be possible to suggest that the occupation be prolonged to a maximum of a month or 6 weeks in order to allow the present excitement in the district to die down. The Peruvian delegate seemed to think that if such a prolongation were possible and a definite date were determined in advance by the two Governments for a meeting of the proposed conference the Peruvians might accept the Brazilian suggestion. Both delegates agreed to telegraph the substance of this conversation to their respective Governments.
Drummond informs me that he made it clear to them that this was a purely personal suggestion on his part and that in doing so he in [Page 434] no wise committed the League nor any member thereof. The delegates themselves were also acting entirely without instructions. Sir Eric told me, however, that he understood that both Santos of Colombia and Calderón of Peru, the representatives in question, were men who had considerable influence with their Governments.