810.24/62
The Chargé in Chile ( Trueblood ) to the Secretary of State
[Received July 7.]
Sir: I have the honor to report that Foreign Minister Ortega seemed genuinely preoccupied over the international situation when I saw him on June 28th as I reported in the Embassy’s telegram No. 115. His spontaneous reference to the possibility of Easter Island’s being taken over by the United States and used as a naval and aerial defense post shows that high officials here are apparently giving careful thought to future eventualities. This attitude undoubtedly reflects to some extent a feeling on the part of this Administration that Easter Island is not of any particular value to Chile and that if it were possible to turn it over to our Government for a consideration it might be a good business transaction at a time when Chile urgently needs funds.
This aspect of the matter, however, was not mentioned by the Foreign Minister, nor did I feel it desirable to press him for further details of this nature. He made it clear, however, that he did not feel [Page 464] it would be possible for Chile to surrender her sovereignty over the Island. I suppose that what Señor Ortega had reference to was some sort of a lease agreement under which Chile would retain sovereignty.
He stated frankly that he had discussed the question of the Galápagos and Easter Islands with the Ecuadoran Minister here, showing that Chile may be endeavoring to persuade the Ecuadoran Government to take a similar view regarding the Galápagos, in the belief that Chile would not be able to turn over Easter Island to the United States (in the event our Government should be interested in the Island) unless Ecuador should be willing to do the same with the Galápagos. In this way a united front on the question could be created which would be useful in presenting the matter to Latin American public opinion.
The Military Attaché informs me that he has had several persons tell him that it would be a great mistake for our Government to make any arrangements with the present Chilean Government affecting Easter Island. This is undoubtedly a common viewpoint of the Opposition here at present, which would of course resent any operation affecting Easter Island which would result to the financial advantage of the Popular Front regime. The same observation is made regarding the plan of proposed financial cooperation between Chile and the United States.
In concluding my interview with the Foreign Minister I limited my remarks to telling him that I would be very glad to forward his observations to the Department.
Respectfully yours,