723.2515/965: Telegram
The Chargé in Chile (Martin) to the Secretary of State
[Received 11:27 p.m.]
52. I respectfully request that the following unofficial and confidential message from President Alessandri, here transmitted in translation, be delivered at once to President Harding:
“The President of the United States, the White House. Emboldened by the benevolence which Your Excellency has shown in private correspondence, and relying on the ideals of fraternity and justice which unite us, I again take the liberty to acquaint you with my sentiments by addressing you personally at a time which is vital to the peace of America. To remove old grievances, and in a true spirit of concord, I conveyed a direct invitation to Peru to end our dispute on the bases of universal principles of justice and of solemn treaties. This effort, unfortunately, did not achieve the success which we expected, but it was generously echoed in the sentiments of peace and humanity set forth in Your Excellency’s invitation to a conference at Washington, which we unhesitatingly accepted, confident that peace between Chile and Peru would be cemented by Your Excellency’s good offices. At the conferences I made Peru five propositions of agreement which reflected the spirit of conciliation of my country, but all were rejected.
By granting to the inhabitants of Tacna and Arica the right to be heard when the disposal of their sovereignty is involved, a right which neither Chile nor Peru can deny them, all these propositions, which are based on universal principles, contemplate the fulfillment of the Treaty of Ancón, and are in accord with your invitation. I am profoundly discouraged by Peru’s opposition, which threatens to nullify Your Excellency’s noble efforts and to revive hatred between two sister republics. I have the honor to ask that, in the name of continental concord, Your Excellency take a personal interest in the proposal which our Ambassador will make to the Secretary of State of the United States in order that this ideal of peace shall not perish. I cordially greet Your Excellency. Arturo Alessandri.”