GENERAL TACNA-ARICA DISPUTE: BEGINNING OF DIRECT NEGOTIATIONS BETWEEN CHILE AND PERU AT THE SUGGESTION OF THE UNITED STATES Date and number 1928 Subject Page Opinion that time is now propitious for negotiations looking to settlement of Tacna-Arica boundary dispute between Chile and Peru. June 18 (60) From the Ambassador in Peru (tel.) To the Ambassador in Peru (tel.) Belief that time is now propitious to inaugurate conversations looking to settlement of the Tacna-Arica question; instructions to try to ascertain from President Leguia how far he would be willing to go in the settlement of the matter. Memorandum by the Assistant Secretary of State Conversation, October 1, between the Secretary and the Chilean Ambassador, in which the latter agreed with suggestion that work of Tacna-Arica Boundary Commission be suspended while the Peruvian and Chilean Governments attempt by direct negotiations to reach a settlement. To the Chargé in Peru (tel.) 660 661 662 663 Instructions to suggest to President Leguia that Boundary 3 From the Chargé in Peru (tel.) 664 Acceptance by President Leguia of suggestion for suspension of Commission; his comment that the suspension will be regarded as a diplomatic victory by Chile. Memorandum by the Assistant Secretary of State Conversation, October 4, in which the Chilean Ambassador advised of his Government's agreement to suspension of Commission, and agreed to procedure suggested for such suspension. To the Chargé in Peru (tel.) Instructions to express to President Leguia the Secretary's appreciation for his action regarding suspension, and to inform him of the Secretary's inability to see why the postponement can be considered a diplomatic victory for either side, when it is merely a common-sense arrangement for promoting a settlement. From the Chargé in Peru (tel.) President Leguia's surprise that Chilean Ambassador has not yet requested an audience to discuss Tacna-Arica question, and his intention, if Ambassador does not do so soon, to take the initiative. Memorandum by the Assistant Secretary of State Conversation in which the Bolivian Minister expressed to the Secretary the concern of his Government that Chile and Peru might reach a settlement without participation of the United States and might at the same time conclude economic arrangements which would be very unfavorable. 664 665 665 666 GENERAL TACNA-ARICA DISPUTE: BEGINNING OF DIRECT NEGOTIATIONS BETWEEN CHILE and Peru at THE SUGGESTION OF THE UNITED STATES-Continued Date and number Subject Page 1928 Oct. 27 (121) Oct. 29 (80) Nov. 1 (123) Nov. 12 (126) From the Chargé in Peru (tel.) Information from President Leguia concerning progress of his negotiations with Chilean Ambassador, in which the former stated that justice demanded return of the entire disputed territory to Peru, the Chilean Ambassador proposed a division, and President Leguia offered the further suggestion that the entire territory be placed under U. S. administration, but stated he would not accept Bolivian administration. Pessimistic attitude of Chilean Ambassador. To the Chargé in Peru (tel.) Instructions to advise President Leguia that the United From the Chargé in Peru (tel.) Information that on October 28 the Chilean Ambassador advised President Leguia of inacceptability of proposal for U. S. administration of the territory; the Chilean Ambassador's proposal for division of territory, with port of Arica to be administered by Chile; inability of President Leguia to accept this proposal. From the Ambassador in Chile (tel.) Declaration by Foreign Minister that nobody in Chile would accept agreement to give up city of Arica; willingness to give full commercial privileges to Peru in city of Arica; comment of Foreign Minister that he fears war if the Tacna-Arica question is not settled. €68 669 670 671 BOUNDARY DISPUTES BOLIVIA AND PARAGUAY 1928 Feb. 4 (333) Feb. 6 (412) To the Chargé in Bolivia Information that U. S. Government does not wish at the present time, while the Tacna-Arica controversy is still pending, to be placed in the position of undertaking to settle boundary dispute between Bolivia and Paraguay, either by arbitration or other procedure; instructions to keep this attitude in mind and be guided accordingly, since it is possible that the President or Foreign Minister may mention the matter. (Sent also, mutatis mutandis, on the same date to the Minister in Paraguay.) To the Ambassador in Peru Instructions in the sense of despatch No. 333 of February 4 to the Chargé in Bolivia, in view of President Leguia's suggestion to Bolivia and Paraguay that they seek U. S. assistance. 672 672 Date and number GENERAL BOUNDARY DISPUTES-Continued Subject Page 1928 May 28 (285) From the Ambassador in Argentina July 19 (339) Sept. 10 (41) Oct. 12 [117] (46) Oct. 12 (24) Oct. 12 (9) Resumption by Paraguayan and Bolivian Boundary Commissions of negotiations in Buenos Aires which were suspended in December 1927; information that divergences of opinion have arisen but that active negotiations are still in progress. From the Ambassador in Argentina Suspension of Bolivian-Paraguayan negotiations in Buenos Aires on July 12, in view of inability to reach any definite agreement; statement issued on July 12 by the Bolivian and Paraguayan plenipotentiaries (text printed); Argentine proposals of December 1927 for settlement of the boundary question (text printed). From the Minister in Bolivia (tel.) Bolivian request that Department endeavor to obtain adhesion of Paraguay to the multilateral treaty for the renunciation of war, as such action would facilitate settlement of boundary question. From the Minister in Bolivia (tel.) Signature by Bolivia of the multilateral treaty. Information from the President and Acting Foreign Minister that Paraguay has violated the mutual understanding by constructing three forts in the disputed territory; and their request that the Department be notified in order that it may use its good influence with Paraguayan Minister in the hope of stopping construction; Minister's reply that he would convey message to the Department. To the Minister in Bolivia (tel.) 673 674 678 678 679 Approval of reply to Bolivian officials; instructions to take no further action without definite authorization. To the Minister in Paraguay (tel.) 679 Oct. 16 (15) Information from Bolivian Legation that Paraguayan troops are building fortresses near Bolivian fortresses; instructions to report any information without discussing matter with officials. From the Minister in Paraguay_(tel.) 679 Dec. 6 (25) Dec. 7 (13) Advice that information in Department's telegram No. 9 of October 12 is exaggerated, that so-called fortresses are only small observation outposts, and that all Paraguayan fortifications are in indisputable territory of Paraguay. From the Minister in Paraguay (tel.) Commencement of hostilities between Bolivian and Paraguayan soldiers near Paraguayan Fort Galpón, near which Bolivia has been constructing a fort. Desire of Paraguay that Washington invoke convocation of the Commission of Inquiry provided for in Gondra Treaty, and that Commission at Montevideo assume charge. To the Minister in Paraguay (tel.) Inability to invoke convocation of Commission of Inquiry because United States is not a party in the dispute; necessity for Paraguay, if it cares to do so, to take such action. 680 680 Date and number GENERAL BOUNDARY DISPUTES-Continued Subject Page 1928 Dec. 7 (26) From the Minister in Paraguay (tel.) Information that Paraguayan official is en route to Montevideo to request officially that Uruguayan Government convoke Commission of Inquiry under Gondra Treaty; official Paraguayan note to Bolivia notifying of such action (excerpt printed); report of casualties resulting from conflict. Dec. 8 From the Minister in Paraguay (tel.) (27) Fr Advice that Bolivia answered Paraguayan request for convocation of Gondra Commission by giving Paraguayan Minister at La Paz his passport, and that Paraguay will give Bolivian Minister his passport the next day. From President Guggiari to President Coolidge (tel.) Notification that in reply to his Government's request for convocation of Gondra Commission, the Bolivian Government delivered passport to the Paraguayan Chargé at La Paz. To the Chargé in Bolivia (tel.) Concern over Bolivian-Paraguayan situation; Department's hesitation to make suggestion, since Argentine Government has been mediating question for many months. Instructions to advise of Bolivia's attitude in regard to Paraguayan request for convocation of Gondra Commission. To the Ambassador in Argentina (tel.) Transmittal of copy of telegram No. 31 of December 9 to Bolivia; instructions to telegraph views as to whether any suggestion from U. S. Government to Bolivian Government that it accept constitution of Gondra Commission would be misunderstood in Argentina, and to advise what action, if any, Argentine Government contemplates. From the Minister in Paraguay (tel.) 681 681 682 682 682 683 Belief that U. S. Government should counsel Bolivia to accept provisions of the Gondra Treaty. 683 From the Chargé in Bolivia (tel.) Bolivian attitude that investigation by Gondra Commission would be incompatible with the dignity of Bolivia in view of the unprovoked aggression by Paraguay; that question is under the Gutierrez-Diaz Leon protocol; and that conciliation will be refused which does not include prior and full reparation to Bolivian sovereignty and dignity. From the Ambassador in Argentina (tel.) Impression that the Argentine President would not desire the U. S. Government to advise either party to accept his offer to act as friendly adviser in solution of problem; suggestion that any U. S. action be along lines of urging both Governments to find a way of settling their differences amicably. To the Ambassador in Argentina (tel.) Passage by Conference of Conciliation and Arbitration at inaugural__session in Washington of a resolution regarding Bolivian-Paraguayan difficulty; importance of being advised what action, if any, is being taken by Argentina. 684 684 GENERAL BOUNDARY DISPUTES-Continued Date and number 1928 Dec. 10 Dec. 11 (65) Dec. 11 (119) Dec. 11 Dec. 11 Dec. 11 (29) Dec. 12 (30) Dec. 12 Dec. 12 (33) Subject From the Chairman of the International Conference of American Resolution expressing hope that Bolivia and Paraguay will (Sent also, on the same date, to the Paraguayan Minister for Foreign Affairs.) To the Ambassador in Argentina (tel.) Nonintention of U. S. Government to take any independent action; advice that the only action taken has been the forwarding by Conference of the resolution of December 10, which the Secretary of State signed as Chairman of the Conference. From the Minister in Switzerland (tel.) Adoption by League of Nations Council of resolution direct- From the Paraguayan Minister for Foreign Affairs to the Chair- Acknowledgment of message of December 10, stating that From the Bolivian President and the Acting Minister for Foreign Affairs to the Chairman of the International Conference of American States on Conciliation and Arbitration (tel.) Acknowledgment of message of December 10, stating that Bolivia requires satisfaction for Paraguayan aggression, and that there exist commitments between Bolivia and Paraguay to accept an arbitration at law from which Bolivia will not deviate. From the Minister in Paraguay (tel.) Opinion of the diplomatic corps that only the U. S. Government could cause Bolivia to recognize its treaty obligations. From the Minister in Paraguay (tel.) Page 685 685 686 686 687 688 688 Feeling of Paraguayan Minister for Foreign Affairs that war is imminent unless the United States acts to prevent it. 689 Expression of hope that difficulty between Paraguay and 689 To President Guggiari (tel.) To the Minister in Bolivia (tel.) Instructions to advise immediately what measures are being taken to bring about a settlement, and whether the Argentine Government has taken any action to compose the present difficulty. |