724.3415/4839a: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Chargé in Chile ( Scotten )33
28. Please obtain an interview at the earliest possible moment with the Minister for Foreign Affairs and inform Dr. Cruchaga34 of the great satisfaction caused the United States by the cordial response of the Brazilian Government to the collective note and the gratification which has been caused this Government by the successful result of our cooperation with the Government of Chile in this regard. You may further state that this Government is now informed by the Government of Brazil of its belief that preliminary conversations in the presence of the representatives of the mediating powers between the Foreign Ministers of the two belligerent nations would be both useful [Page 51] and desirable. The Brazilian Minister for Foreign Affairs has likewise informed this Government that he agrees with the view of the United States that it would be preferable to hold these preliminary conversations at Buenos Aires. The Department is not as yet informed whether the belligerent nations will be willing to adopt this proposal, but this Government believes that the suggestion has great practical value and would be glad to know the opinion of Dr. Cruchaga. You may further inform Dr. Cruchaga that I cannot see that any line can well be drawn between the suggested preliminary conversations and the conciliation conference and that consequently, if the belligerents accept the suggestion, the indicated preliminary conversations might well merge into the conciliation negotiations.
In any event, this Government believes it highly desirable that the representatives of the various mediating powers meet at the earliest possible moment in Buenos Aires in order to proceed with the task entrusted to them. This Government intends to send a special representative to take part in the peace negotiations at Buenos Aires and pending his arrival the American Chargé d’Affaires in Buenos Aires will be instructed to represent this Government.
In conclusion, you may say that this Government will welcome any suggestions which Dr. Cruchaga may care to make and would likewise be glad to know what his views may be with regard to the points mentioned above.