723.2515/3322: Telegram
The Ambassador in Peru (Moore) to the Secretary of State
[Received April 2—6:58 a.m.]
56. The following report in connection with the investigation of the ports suggested by Chile was submitted today to President Leguia by Mr. George Seeley, vice president of the Frederick Snare Corporation: [Page 758]
“April 1, 1929.
Dear Mr. President: I take pleasure in reporting to you as follows the result of the trip made to Arica recently to investigate further on the proposed port.
On our arrival we were met by the Governor of the Province together with the secretary of the provincial government; the two Chilean engineers, one of whom was the one who sent in the report that was given to you recently by the Chilean Ambassador, and others. All of these gentlemen were at all times more than courteous and all facilities of every kind were placed at our disposal to help in the execution of our mission.
On discussing our mission with the Chilean engineers, I found that the report which they had sent in and which was transmitted to you through the Chilean Embassy, was based entirely on the statements that had been made to these engineers by others and on data obtained from maps in the Ministerio de la Marina and was not based on any personal investigation or knowledge. They have made no plans of any kind; in fact, they had no projects, except a verbal description which they gave me of what they had in mind. As far as I could gather, no investigation of any kind had ever been made, nor had any plans of any kind been worked up.
In company with these Chilean engineers, and on two occasions with the Governor of the Province, an examination was made of the coast in detail by automobile, launch, on foot and by aeroplane along the whole length from Arica to the mouth of the River Sama, a distance of about 3 kilometers south—or toward Arica—from the mouth of the River Lluta. This whole coast stretches in almost a straight line running about southeast to northwest and without a single point or indentation worthy of the name in the whole distance. Part of the coast is a low sandy beach, part rocky, and on the lower portions indications show that in very recent years the ocean has covered the coast line for a distance of about 2 kilometers back from the beach. As this coast lies almost directly facing the Pacific Ocean swell and as it is without natural protection of any kind, it would be difficult to find a coast line more exposed and less appropriate for the construction of the type of port that you desire.
The locations proposed by the Chilean engineers, and which were mentioned in their original report, were all looked into in detail, as also other sites proposed. The same general statement applies to all—none were in any way suitable.
With the exception of the mouth of the River San José at Arica and the mouth of the River Lluta about 14 kilometers north of Arica, there is no water to be found at any point along this coast, other than some springs located at a point named Las Yaradas.
These springs are of doubtful quantity and while the quality is subject to analysis, it has a very distinct salty taste.
The administrator of the Tacna-Arica railway also told us that these springs were entirely dry for more than three months of this year.
At all of these points lengths of railway would have to be built, varying from about 7 kilometers to 21 kilometers, in order to connect the existing Tacna-Arica line; also, as all of these locations are in desert country, it would mean the building of a complete [Page 759] town, together with the electric light and power plant, sewerage system, water supply, etc., all of which would considerably increase the cost.
It is our opinion that no port could be built at any point along this coast north of the River Lluta which would have the least chance of proving successful. The Chilean engineers, recognizing the nature of coast, also stated that in their opinion the locations were unsuitable. They, however, made the statement that they believed a port could be constructed at a cost of about eight million to nine million dollars but at the same time admitted that even at this expenditure such a port would not have proper protection from storms that might come from the north or northwest. We believe that even with such an excessive expenditure it would be a most improper piece of construction; one, in fact, that I do not believe our company would want to assume any responsibility for.
We believe that the only point on this coast at which a proper port could be built is in or approximately in the location picked out by us and mentioned in our previous report; viz, just to the north of the River San José, and we believe that this, in general, applies to any port whether it be a port to accommodate ships or whether it be a port for the lighterage only.
Signed, Frederick Snare Corporation, George Seeley, Vice President.”
Please do not transmit this report to Santiago as it has not yet been submitted to the Chilean Ambassador here. He will send it to his Government.
[Paraphrase.] The report was very disappointing to President Leguia, for he had hoped that it would be favorable and that the controversy would be settled. He stated to me that he believed he had gone as far as he could. [End paraphrase.]