723.2515/3292: Telegram
The Ambassador in Chile (Culbertson) to the Secretary of State
[Received 8:35 p.m.]
35. Minister of Foreign Affairs gave me today the following information:
“Port on the River San José:—In order to find a depth of 10 meters it is necessary to go 1600 meters out to sea. The bottom is of oceanic rock which makes dredging impossible.
Port north of the River Lluta:—It can be constructed at the place called Punta Chacota, which is protected from the southern winds. In order to find a depth of 10 meters it is necessary to go only 600 meters out to sea. Its distance from the embankment of the Arica-La Paz railway is 7,230 meters.
Port north of River Molles:—According to technical opinion this is the best port. In order to find a depth of 10 meters it is only [Page 743] necessary to go 402 out to sea. Its maintenance would cost very little because it is very sheltered. The Tacna-Arica railway can follow a direct line to this point thus economizing 34 kilometers of railroad. If Peru were to accept this port the frontier could be in the sea at Punta Chacota. Today there is a fishermen’s cove and from there fish is sent to Tacna. Distance to the embankment of the Arica-La Paz railroad 29,730 meters.”
Copy to Lima.