723.2515/563: Telegram

The Acting Secretary of State to the Chargé in Peru ( Smith )

39. Department’s March 10, 6 p.m.

You are instructed to seek an immediate interview with the Minister for Foreign Affairs and reiterate to him the Department’s opinion that it would be a mistake for Peru to break off diplomatic relations with Bolivia until an endeavor has been made by every other method to find a solution of the present difficulty. The Department believes that diplomatic negotiations only should be resorted to, and that it would be to Peru’s benefit not to appear as the aggressor in any way.

Polk