721.23/2291: Telegram
The Ambassador in Peru (Dearing) to the Secretary of State
Lima, May 15, 1934—3
p.m.
[Received 4:25 p.m.]
[Received 4:25 p.m.]
69. Leticia. My 66.16
- 1.
- Dr. Polo17 informs me Cabinet on eve of Riva Agüero resignation approved en to to Mello Franco formula and that authorization was cabled Peruvian delegates to sign as soon as Colombian delegates receive similar instructions.
- 2.
- He says he cabled Freyre18 12th to request our Government’s good offices with Colombia. He requested my aid. I said I had reported Riva Agüero’s expressions in the same sense.
- 3.
- He states readjustments in Colombian Cabinet are due to the removal of intransigeant members and way being paved by new appointments for agreement with Peru.
- 4.
- He expresses conviction Colombia will soon accept Mello Franco formula saying Colombian wishes on all political matters have been met and that only details as to customs, commercial and navigation questions remain to be settled.
- 5.
- He concedes the full return of Leticia to Colombia and says nothing more about territorial compensation.
- 6.
- Regarding two points of dispute: (a) references to The Hague and (b) mixed commission. He states former is for eventual matters and will cause no difficulty; latter not intended to subtract in the least from full Colombian sovereignty but rather, if I understood him correctly, to make possible an earlier reestablishment of Colombian sovereignty by substituting mixed commission as soon as formula adopted for League’s Commission, Colombian authority to be installed upon retirement League’s Commission and mixed commission then to begin its functions taking up negotiations where they are left off by the delegates at Rio de Janeiro who will also then withdraw.
- 7.
- I understand Polo to mean that upon renewal of diplomatic relations between the two countries mixed commission will at least at first take charge of the “direct” negotiations between the two countries. He seems certain mixed commission is not to have seat at Leticia except for brief period as it takes over from League Commission pari passu apparently with delivery of Leticia to Colombian authorities.
- 8.
- … Printed news from Iquitos is growing more truculent and takes form of statements that Leticia must not be given up and that President is expected to bring about a satisfactory solution. Lima seems more resigned to the inevitable.
Dearing