723.2515/2254: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Consul at Arica (Von Tresckow)
For Lassiter. Ambassador Cruchaga informs me that on April 29 Mr. Freyre wrote to you stating that Peru was abstaining from appointing Peruvian members of the registration boards as Peruvian voters were abstaining from registration; that Peru’s abstention from participating in functions of electoral boards was in response to suggestion from this Government; and that you had sent Edwards a copy of Freyre’s note.
Please let us know as soon as possible if this is correct. To what suggestion of this Government does Freyre refer? I have made no suggestion to effect that Peru should not participate in registration; in fact, I have urged repeatedly that Peru participate and I presume that you have done likewise and certainly that you have not suggested that Peruvians should not participate. Telegraph reply without delay, as I wish to issue denial; and I think that you should also reply to Freyre’s letter, pointing out that this Government has never made any such suggestion. It is important that I know exactly what you communicated to Edwards and also what, in this connection, you have written or said to Freyre. Freyre’s statement as given above has caused much unfavorable comment in Chile.