721.23/1237: Telegram
The Minister in Switzerland (Wilson) to the Secretary of State
[Received February 23—9:15 p.m.]
124. Drummond has informed me concerning the negotiations carried on this afternoon between the Council Committee and the representatives of Peru and Colombia. The conversations can be divided into two parts: (1) when the Peruvian representative was present and (2) when the Colombian representative was present.
Part 1. The Committee urged the withdrawal of the Peruvian forces as a preliminary to the procedure of conciliation contemplated under paragraph 3 of article No. 15. At the request of the Peruvian representative the Committee handed him a memorandum reading as follows:
“The Peruvian Government has declared that it does not contest the fact that Leticia is in Colombian territory.
As a preliminary, therefore, to the procedure of conciliation contemplated under paragraph 3 of article No. 15 the Committee must be assured that the Peruvian Government agrees to withdraw all Peruvian military elements and material as rapidly as possible from Colombian territory and discourage all attacks thereupon. The Committee would consider the arrangements on the spot which such withdrawal might necessitate.
If and when the definite assurances are received by the Committee on this point the Committee will be ready to try to secure a settlement of the substance of the dispute.
The Committee would not necessarily insist on the immediate execution of such assurances before considering a program to the above end but it feels bound to ask for a clear statement that the withdrawal will take place subject to the requisite local arrangements and without political disturbances. The Committee feels that unless it can obtain the agreement of the Government of Peru to these proposals it cannot successfully undertake the procedure of conciliation provided for in paragraph 3 of article No. 15.”
The Peruvian representative is cabling this immediately to his Government. Drummond would be grateful if we could take any steps in support of the suggestions.
Part 2. The Committee handed the Colombian representative a memorandum
which in translation reads as follows:
The Colombian representative will at once cable this to his Government but informed Drummond that he could practically accept it in advance.
Drummond states that neither of the two parties is aware of what conversation took place between the Committee and the other representative. He especially cautioned me that the suggestion to the Colombian representative was strictly confidential.
In the event that Peru replies favorably to the suggestions put to it the proposal made to Colombia will then be sent to Peru with a request for acquiescence. Drummond would highly appreciate hearing from you whether if the proposal is made to Peru the Council can expect that the American Ambassador at Lima will urge the acceptance of the proposal.
Drummond explained that since the Peruvians had refused the suggestion under which Brazilian authorities would take over the disputed area and then hand it to Colombia during the period of negotiation of a settlement, some procedure more satisfactory to Peru had to be sought. The Council Committee hoped it would be found in the suggestion offered Colombia today that the presence of the League commission and its command over the Colombian forces would guarantee the Peruvian inhabitants of the area against mistreatment during the period of negotiations. He added that they had not deliberated upon the personnel of the commission but that he, Drummond, thought that it might contain a citizen of the United States, a Brazilian and a representative from some other country. The important thing was that they should be as near as possible to the scene so as to arrive promptly if the two parties accepted.