721.23/632: Telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Peru (Dearing)
88. Your No. 244, December 30, 10 a.m. was delivered to White just as Maúrtua was leaving his office today. At today’s meeting Maúrtua for the first time brought up question neutralization of Leticia or rather of its demilitarization. Maúrtua therefore did not correctly report if he stated that White had been favorable to this project. Maúrtua suggested today that Leticia should be demilitarized and also an equivalent adjoining Peruvian territory similarly demilitarized once Colombian authority was reestablished in Leticia in order to prevent a recurrence of the September 1 incident. White definitely told Maúrtua that he did not think this proposal would appeal to or be acceptable to the Colombian authorities.
[Page 315]Department’s telegram 84 of December 20, 6 p.m. sets forth clearly Maúrtua’s proposal of that date. A memorandum of the conversation was shown to Maúrtua, who has recognized in writing that he made the proposal set forth therein. He now desires to change the proposal, however, and in material respects. White told him that he would have to put his proposal in writing and state definitely in writing that his Government desired such a proposal made on its behalf to Colombia for this Government to take any further interest in the matter.
For your strictly confidential information Colombian Government has accepted in principle a discussion on the basis set forth in telegram of December 20.
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Department does not desire you to show Manzanillo record of White’s conversation with Maúrtua of November 16th.