723.2515/3322: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Peru (Moore)
41. Your 56, April 1, 8 p.m. Chilean Ambassador left at Department on Saturday a telegram from his Government dated April 4, reading in translation as follows:
“Conclusions which Chilean engineers reach in their report in open disagreement with the American report. Engineers Lira and Quezada declare: First, that the data contained in the charts are in conformity with the soundings made in front of Lluta, Escritos, Hospicio and Yaradas. Second, that the waves which come from the high sea arrive at the beach perpendicularly and leave breakers which cover an area of 150 meters from the San José River to the north, being more gentle in the neighborhood of this river. Third, that the above circumstance has made the American engineers believe that a port at San José would not need important protective [Page 760] works. Fourth, that this advantage disappears when the sea is raging because the violence of the waves is the same as at the north of the Lluta River. Fifth, that the American Engineers, together with the Chileans, could verify the existence of fresh water at Yaradas. Sixth, that the only disadvantage at Yaradas with regard to the rest of the coast is the non-existence of rocks in the vicinity for use, which increases the cost of the works by ten per cent, at the most. Seventh, that Engineer Seeley stated to his Chilean colleagues that the commission which he had received from Leguia was to give a report on the possibility of constructing a protected port north of Lluta and that it be commercially justified. Eighth, that all agreed that there was no port from Arica to Sama in which the natural conditions would make the construction of a port commercially justifiable. Ninth, that Engineer Seeley agreed with the Chileans that the port at San José offered more favorable conditions during its construction, because the breakers were more gentle than north of Lluta, but that it would require very substantial protective works for ocean storms, with the result that the cost would be at least equal to Yaradas. Tenth, Finally Engineer Seeley declared that the port at San José had not sufficient natural conditions and that it was easier to find them at the present port of Ilo, at which the cost of the works would not be disproportionate.
As you see, the conclusions which the two reports reached are very different and contradictory.”