722.2315/1233: Telegram
The Ambassador in Argentina (Weddell) to the Secretary of State
[Received 7:10 p.m.]
290. My 287, October 15, noon.32 The Undersecretary for Foreign Affairs telephoned me yesterday afternoon to inform me that his Ministry had just been advised by the Chilean Government that the latter’s President had telegraphed to the President of Ecuador in response to his recent telegram concerning mediation in the Ecuadoran-Peruvian boundary that while disposed to be at service in this controversy the Chilean Government found it impossible to take any steps in advance of a similar request from the Government of Peru.
The Undersecretary added that in these circumstances the Chilean Government having sent its answer without prior consultation with the other powers to whom the President of Ecuador had appealed the Argentine Government proposed telegraphing to the Chief Magistrate named in terms similar to the Chilean communication.
[Page 240]This morning the Undersecretary delivered to me a copy of the telegram that the Argentine Government will send to the President of Ecuador at 1 o’clock tomorrow, Monday, afternoon if the State Department (cancillería de Washington) does not before then suggest any substantial modification for consideration. A translation of the message follows:
“I have had the honor of receiving a telegram from Your Excellency dated the 10th instant by which, in making reference to the situation arrived at in the above conflict between Ecuador and Peru until now handled directly by the representatives of both countries in Washington, intervention of the Chaco mediatory group is suggested, in order that these negotiations may continue under their auspices, in accordance with the same spirit of conciliation and American accord with which the Bolivia–Paraguay dispute has so happily just been terminated.
The pacific settlement of international differences through legal channels is already traditional in Argentine policy and my Government cannot but consider with sympathy and good will any solution suggested on the basis of those same principles.
But by the very nature of the contemplated objective and the proposed procedure I believe that the initiative of Your Excellency, however honored may be the countries solicited, cannot be considered while there is not a concurrence of intention (coincidencia de propósitos) of the two parties interested whose common desire for conciliation if the case would arise would return in this Government the most frank spirit of collaboration.”
The Undersecretary added verbally that he understood Brazil and Uruguay would send similar messages at the same time.
The Minister for Foreign Affairs returns to this capital on the 18th.
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