721.23/1713: Telegram
The Ambassador in Peru (Dearing) to the Secretary of State
[Received 5:30 p.m.]
141. 1. President this morning published an exchange of telegrams beginning May 6th between himself and Alfonso Lopez of Colombia,79 arranging, with Olaya’s approval, direct negotiations between Benavides and Lopez for settlement of the Colombian-Peruvian dispute. Lopez is expected in Lima Sunday. Please instruct if Department wishes text of telegrams exchanged cabled.
2. Manzanilla has just informed me it is confidently expected bases for peaceful settlement will be laid within a week as a result of the Benavides–Lopez conversations and that Peruvian representative near the League has been instructed accordingly to suspend all negotiations.
You will recognize Peru has not accepted League’s last proposals, of May 10th, and is not favorable to them and expects to do better in the direct conversations.
3. In view of the foregoing I suggest that developments be awaited, and that note quoted in Department’s 59, May 11, 5 p.m., be withheld for the present as direct settlement would be preferable to one under League auspices and at outside suggestion. Manzanilla indicated, however, that direct settlement might include some use of League’s recommendation.
Further report by mail. Please cable what Department would prefer to have done.
- Colombian Minister to Great Britain and the Netherlands.↩