722.2315/1241b: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Brazil (Caffery)
121. From the Under Secretary. Please express to Aranha my very deep appreciation of the particularly helpful attitude which the Brazilian Government has taken in advising this Government so fully of its own views with regard to the Ecuadoran-Peruvian boundary dispute. I fully share his own belief that every appropriate constructive [Page 242] step should be taken by the American republics in urging a prompt solution of existing boundary controversies. I myself in conversation with the Peruvian Ambassador here have expressed our very earnest hope that Peru would not shut the door to the possibility of permitting other disinterested and friendly American Governments to try and cooperate in assisting Peru and Ecuador to find a satisfactory method for the solution of their dispute. It would be particularly regrettable at this moment in view of the general world situation and by reason of the successful solution of the Chaco controversy, if Ecuador were not to attend the Lima Conference and if the Conference were to adjourn without some prospect for a pacific solution of this particular controversy which has continued for so long a time and which, because of peculiar circumstances with which Aranha is fully aware, may assume serious proportions at some time in the future.
In view of the precipitancy of Chile in sending her reply, I fully understand the desire of the Brazilian Government not to delay in sending its reply. The President has today sent the following reply to the President of Ecuador:
[Here follows text of telegram printed on page 240.]