723.2515/692: Telegram
The Ambassador in Peru (Gonzales) to the Secretary of State
[Received October 8—2 p.m.]
110. Your 82, September 10, 5 [7] p.m. War Department must have misinterpreted report of military attaché. I was on trip representing President Wilson at Chirocuzco [University of Cuzco] at the time and gave no instructions to military [attaché]. Attache’s despatch 954 September 4, to his Department gives full particulars his visit to Arica and quotes his authority for visit as from War Department. Extent of information conveyed by him to Chilean officers appears to have been that [when] one of them asserted 14,000 Peruvians mobilized on southern frontier, Case replied were not 1400. This was in accordance with facts but was not secret information, as Peruvian Secretary of Foreign Relations had published a declaration that not single Peruvian soldier had been mobilized nor additional forces moved to border. As fully seven-eighths of the agitation and much animosity in two countries is caused by circulation grossly false reports and as Peru is in no [Page 346] position to appear belligerent, I have no doubt President of Peru approves that statement of fact.