723.2515/8809: Telegram
The Ambassador in Chile (Culbertson) to the Secretary of State
[Received 10:32 p.m.]
45. Again I urged the Foreign Minister to give Peru a port at the San José River. I received in reply the same objections which I have already telegraphed to you. I then asked him to submit the entire question once more to President Ibanez, following the points in your 32, March 18, 3 p.m. I impressed upon him the responsibility which Chile assumes in rejecting a port at San José and pointed out the obligation that the Government of Chile is under not only to prove that a port is feasible at or north of Escritos but to pay for it whatever the cost may be. The Foreign Minister feels confident that the report and plans of the Chilean engineers now in Lima and the conference this week between the Chilean and Peruvian engineers on the ground north of Arica will satisfy Peru that a suitable port can be constructed.
To the question as to whether Chile was willing to reconsider the request of Peru for a port under Peruvian sovereignty at the San José River, the Foreign Minister after his conference with President Ibanez replied in writing:
“Never! It cannot be granted for reasons already known to Secretary Kellogg, not only through Ambassador Culbertson in Chile but also through the Chilean Ambassador in the United States.”
To the question whether Chile was willing to pay for the construction of a port northwest or north of Escritos, and for the connections of it with the Tacna Railroad, even if the cost exceeded $3,500,000, he replied in writing:
“The time for raising this question has not arrived. It would not be convenient for Chile to express an opinion regarding it before the final report which we await.”
In my opinion Chile is willing to pay more than $3,500,000 but [the Foreign Minister?] will not commit himself as to the amount until Chile receives the report of the engineers who are now consulting at Arica, and to which reference was made in the above answer. The Foreign Minister has made a long written explanation of the points mentioned in your telegram, and he has telegraphed it to Ambassador Davila. I will not repeat it unless you instruct me to do so.