721.23/1098: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Brazil (Morgan)
26. Your 19 and 20 of February 10, 3 p.m. and 4 p.m. Department finds it difficult to understand why Brazilian note does not definitely state that if after 60 days negotiations there is no agreement between the parties Brazil will return Leticia to Colombia. Department’s 22, February 7, 6 p.m. and 24, February 8, 5 p.m. as well as White’s telephone conversation of February 915 made this point clear.
Department’s 25, February 10, 11 a.m. quoted message from Legation at Bogotá explaining why words “in compensation” are not acceptable. Department learns today from Colombian Legation here that similar statement was made sometime ago by Colombian Minister in Rio to Minister for Foreign Affairs who stated that the word compensation was used as equivalent of “on the other hand”. In view of these representations by Colombia it is not understood why the word compensation was again used in Brazilian proposal.
Until the new Brazilian proposal is straightened out in the sense of the above this Government will make no representations in support thereof.
Department learns that Vasquez Cobo has been ordered not to reach Tarapacá until Sunday. This is a considerable delay which Olaya has brought about at the earnest request of this Government. In view of the internal political situation in Colombia, as set forth in Department’s [Page 473] 23, February 7, 7 p.m.16 and No. 25, February 10, 11 a.m., Department will not make any further representations to Olaya to hold up expedition.
There is therefore little over 24 hours for Brazil to clear this matter up and get an answer from Peru.