723.2515/3398: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Chile (Culbertson)
58. Yesterday afternoon the Chilean Ambassador called to say that some concern had been caused in Chile by published versions of a statement that I made at a recent press conference which, it is said, had been so interpreted in Chile as to give the impression that the claims of Bolivia affecting the littoral had been taken into consideration in connection with the proposal made by the President for the settlement between Chile and Peru. The Chilean Ambassador intimated that these reports had placed him personally in an embarrassing position because he had assured the Government of Chile that the Government of the United States considered the Tacna-Arica question one to be dealt with exclusively by Chile and Peru.
At the press conference in question, in response to a statement made by a press correspondent that the Legation of Bolivia had given out a statement which indicated that the settlement might interfere with the friendly relations of the countries which participated in the War of the Pacific, I said that no one else had made any such comment. Being further pressed by the correspondents I read to [Page 805] them the last paragraph of the note which transmitted to Chile and Peru the settlement proposed by the President, as sent to you in my 55, May 14, 8 p.m. I then pointed out that this left open to Chile and Peru to make any arrangements or disposition with regard to the portion of the territory in dispute which came to each of them which they might wish to make. That is as far as the United States of America is concerned it was left so that Chile and Peru could give Bolivia a seacoast if Chile and/or Peru so desire. Such was the full effect and purport of the statement I made to the press. Other than those which I have already reported to you in my 46, May 1, 8 p.m. there have been no communications, formal or informal, with the Government of Bolivia. We have done nothing and said nothing during this negotiation which affects or bears upon any claim or feeling which Bolivia may have regarding the territories involved in the settlement other than has been communicated to you. As a matter of fact, Bolivia did lodge a formal written protest with the Department of State against the provision in the original suggested agreement, and she also enumerated occasions on which the United States, Chile, and Peru had in her opinion appeared to recognize the validity of the demands of Bolivia for an outlet to the sea. No answer was made to this protest because it was felt that the publication of the settlement and the covering notes of the Department was sufficient answer.
I also told the Ambassador during my conversation with him that the Government of the United States had no intention of taking any further steps than had already been taken.
You may in your discretion bring the foregoing informally to the attention of the Foreign Minister.