721.23/2404: Telegram
The Ambassador in Peru (Bearing) to the Secretary of State
[Received December 14—2:35 a.m.]
126. 1. Prefacing his statement by saying he was speaking to me after consultation with the President and in strictest confidence, the Minister for Foreign Affairs this afternoon informed me this Government is seriously alarmed by the course of affairs at Bogotá as reported by the Peruvian Minister there, Belaunde, in connection with the ratification of the Protocol of Rio de Janeiro for the settlement of the Leticia dispute.
2. He said there was no doubt whatever here as to López’ sincerity but that it was felt he was overconfident and had erred in his tactics in leaving the question for the free disposition of the Congress.
3. He pointed out that ratification should take place prior to December 31, that the report of the special commission will not be made until about the 16th, that Senators supposed to be favorable are wavering and that Laureano Gómez and Fabio Lozano are working more and more successfully to defeat ratification.
4. The Foreign Minister stated that notwithstanding President Benavides’ popularity in Loreto due to his Caquetá success in 1911 it would be impossible for this Government to control Loreto or what might happen there in case the Protocol should fail of ratification at Bogotá. He added that there was a tie and a deadlock in the Colombian Senate even with Urdaneta’s participation and that he viewed the situation with the gravest concern.
5. He definitely inquired whether our Government would be willing in the interest of peace and good understanding to send some appropriate message to López or at least make an inquiry which would make the Colombian Government aware of our interest and concern so the Rio de Janeiro Protocol would be approved and ratified.
6. I expressed some incredulity as to the situation being as menacing as it appeared but the Minister who is not an alarmist informed me most earnestly he was seriously alarmed.
7. And the Embassy has learned enough of the growing unrest here and the background of the recent revolutionary outbreak to take the Minister, who reflects the President’s attitude and very likely that of the Cabinet as well, at his word. In any event an adverse reaction in Loreto would be a difficult and costly thing to control.
8. I expressed my sincere sympathy with the Minister’s desire to avoid unfortunate developments and said I would lay situation at once before our Government so its full import would be realized and it could do what it might deem necessary in the circumstances. Please instruct. Not repeated to Bogotá.