721.23/1005a Supp.: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in France (Edge)
29. On January 24 Secretary invited French, British, German, Italian and Japanese Ambassadors to confer with him98 regarding appeal received by signatories of Briand-Kellogg Pact on account of [Page 459] Leticia matter. On January 25 Secretary cabled fully his views in matter to Minister of Foreign Affairs of Peru and called Peru’s attention to her obligations under Kellogg Pact and supported proposal made by Brazilian Government for a settlement of the difficulty. The other American nations have taken or are taking similar action.
German and Italian Governments have instructed their Ministers in Lima to make similar representations if British and French Governments do the same. On Saturday British Government instructed its Minister in Lima to take similar action. French Ambassador here has been unable to get any word from his Government as to action it proposes to take. This is doubtless due to change in Government.
Situation at Leticia is most serious and is rapidly reaching a climax. Background of matter is clearly set forth in my telegram of December [January?] 25 to Minister of Foreign Affairs of Peru,99 copy of which I have asked Consul at Geneva to send to you. I feel sure that French Government will want to take a position supporting sanctity of treaties and opposing thesis that a country which does not like a treaty in force can seize territory and hold it as a gage to force other party to modify treaty. Please take matter up as quickly as possible with Minister of Foreign Affairs and urge that instructions be sent to French Minister in Lima to support Briand-Kellogg Pact and to call Peruvian Government’s attention to its obligations thereunder. Cable result.