Foreign Relations of the United States Diplomatic Papers, 1937, The American Republics, Volume V

611.2531/169: Telegram

The Ambassador in Chile (Philip) to the Secretary of State

Santiago, January 22, 1937—3 p.m.
[Received 3:40 p.m.]

6. Department’s 3, January 14, 4 [5] p.m. Two officials of the Chilean Ministry of Foreign Affairs recently have mentioned the receipt of cables from the Chilean Ambassador in Washington⁶ to the effect that I had been specifically instructed by the Department to propose a new modus vivendi which shall remain in force until superseded by a commercial treaty between the United States and Chile.

I understand the instruction received leaves me discretion in the matter and I have not yet broached its contents to the Minister for Foreign Affairs as my information now indicates that the French Parliament will not ratify the Franco-Chilean convention of January 16, 1936 in the near future. In such case our existing agreement of September 28, 1931 should remain in force.

I am carefully watching the situation and will at once inform the Department of any action taken.

Philip

6. Manuel Trucco.