Chargé Ames to the Secretary of State.

No. 436.]

Sir: I have the honor to inclose herewith a copy and translation of the message read by His Excellency the President of Chile at the opening of Congress on June 1.

I have, etc.,

Edward Winslow Ames.
[Page 111]
[Inclosure.—Translation.]

Message read by His Excellency the President of the Republic of Chile at the opening of the regular sessions of the National Congress, June 1, 1905.

Fellow-citizens of the Senate and Chamber of Deputies: In giving you an account of the public administration during the past year it is gratifying to me to announce to you that our relations with other countries are friendly and cordial.

The demarcation of the limits of our territory with that of the Argentine Republic is almost completed. There remain to be put in position only a few pyramids at the sources of the Ñuble and Laja rivers, a task which will be completed in the coming summer. The slight difficulties still pending will be settled in a satisfactory manner. The cordiality of our relations with the neighboring Atlantic Republic encourages the hope that we may reach agreements which shall continually strengthen the bonds which happily unite these two countries.

The 21st of March the treaty of peace and amity with Bolivia was promulgated, following the exchange of ratifications. This compact, based on the bounds of the material interests of both countries, assures them, in a not distant future, all the benefits which commercial intercourse effects, not the least of which is the firm establishment, under inalterable conditions, of the friendly international relations of both countries. In the near future bids will be asked for the construction of the railroad from Arica to the plateau of La Paz, which, according to the terms of the treaty, Chile must construct, and the necessary steps have already been taken for fulfilling the promises which we thereby made.

The Government of Peru has thought fit to protest against some of the stipulations contained in this treaty. Chile’s reply, in addition to establishing the right which supports us in maintaining them in their integrity, suggests the expediency of putting an end to the sterile discussions in which we have been involved and of exchanging them for agreements of a nature similar to that of those which have terminated definitely and satisfactorily our differences with Bolivia.

* * * * * * *