723.2515/2213: Telegram
The Ambassador in Chile (Collier) to the Secretary of State
[Received 8:15 p.m.]
117. Today I received visit from the commercial adviser of Chilean Ministry of Commerce, who is an intimate friend, and is the recognized authority here on Bolivian commercial relations. … He says that the majority of the people of influence here really prefer a solution by good offices. I gave no hint of plan suggested in my No. 110, April 25, 3 p.m.; but I am more hopeful than ever that if you can obtain Peru’s acceptance you can get Chile’s. The commercial adviser says that Chile wishes to make her own negotiations with Bolivia largely as matter of amour propre … and that Chile would gladly resume direct negotiations because the interviews which they gave out have increased fear that refusal to negotiate further may mean loss of all opportunity to do so and may throw Bolivia into close commercial relations with Argentina and cause her to seek an outlet to the sea through Buenos Aires. He also said that Edwards and his newspaper El Mercurio are being almost universally criticized.