723.2515/2065: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Consul at Arica (Von Tresckow)
For Lassiter. Your telegram of March 27, 8 a.m., has been received and shown to the Arbitrator, who is at all times kept fully informed. It is obviously impossible for him to terminate plebiscitary proceedings on his own initiative as you request. Position Chile is adopting at this moment seems to be based on misunderstanding which I am endeavoring to clear up. I have not yet received definite reply from Santiago, and have just been advised that Chile’s reply to my latest memorandum may not be received before next week.
Chile has stated that she considers her acceptance of good offices to be binding and the only question for determination is over suspension of the plebiscitary proceedings during negotiations. I am certain that this difficulty can and will be overcome. In the meantime we have no choice but to go ahead with registration even though Peru, for the time being, declines to participate. Any other course of action would be misunderstood and would be construed by Chile as abandonment of plebiscite.
As far as Peru is concerned, if effort to exercise good offices ultimately breaks down, the Commission could extend the period for registration so that her interests therein would not be prejudiced by continuance of registration during next few days without her participation. Neither Arbitrator nor anyone representing him can undertake to terminate plebiscite at this juncture. Only thing to do is to go on with the registration until both parties to the plebiscite agree upon suspension of proceedings as contemplated by offer of good offices.