721.23/1099: Telegram
The Ambassador in Chile (Culbertson) to the Secretary of State
[Received 6:40 p.m.]
30. My telegram No. 25, February 4, noon. Chile’s reply to Colombia’s note asking for action under the Kellogg Pact supports in general [Page 472] terms peaceful settlement but argues that no basis for action under the Pact has arisen since Peru has not rejected the proposal of Brazil and therefore Peru may be considered still to be seeking a settlement by “pacific means”. Obviously the point is more clever than it is sound.
Chile’s timid diplomacy in this matter is due to two things. In the first place the Chilean Government fears that if it assumes a firm policy toward Peru the result may be a serious check on the rapprochement which is developing between the two countries. In the second place the Minister for Foreign Affairs stated that Brazil did not wish Chile to take an active part in the discussions of frontier questions in the Amazonian region. This may be the Brazilian reaction to Cruchaga’s suggestions at Lima with reference to a comprehensive settlement of all frontier questions in the Amazonian region.
The Foreign Office has instructed the Chilean Ambassador in Lima to give general support to peace efforts.