721.23/1409: Telegram
The Minister in Switzerland (Wilson) to the Secretary of State
[Received March 14—2:32 a.m.]
148. My 140, March 7, 1 p.m.
1. Drummond has just given me a copy of a draft report on the Peruvian-Colombian affair which has been approved by the Committee of Three although not yet considered by the various members of the Council. He also has furnished me a copy of a draft resolution drawn up by the Committee of Three but not yet seen by the Council. Both of these documents are therefore of most confidential character. In sending me them on his initiative Drummond stated that although he had not consulted even the Committee of Three on this action he felt sure that they would be “happy to think that the United States Government would consider what action if any is feasible if Peru, as I (Drummond) fear may be the case, does not accept the proposals for conciliation”.
2. Part I of draft report contains a statement of the facts of the dispute as provided for in article 15, paragraph 4 of the Covenant41 which I shall not summarize as you are familiar with them.
3. Part II of the report contains the recommendations as provided for in article 17 paragraph 4 of the Covenant “which are deemed just and proper in regard thereto (the dispute)” I summarize them as follows:
The Council recommends the complete evacuation of the territory contained in the Leticia trapezium by the Peruvian forces, and the withdrawal of all support from the Peruvians who have occupied that area.
[Page 498]This recommendation is preceded by the statement that the Council views the presence of Peruvian forces in Colombian territory as incompatible with international law, the Covenant of the League and the Pact of Paris; and that it is not [now?] necessary to establish as speedily as possible a situation in harmony with those principles; and that the Government of Colombia has accepted the proposals made by the Council in its telegram of January 26, 1933, which lays down that there should be strictest precautions to avoid violation of Peruvian territory and requisite moderation in reestablishment of order.
The Council further recommends that the negotiations be begun and carried out in all expedition as soon as suitable measures shall have been taken to carry out the first recommendation.
The Council declares itself ready on request to lend its good offices in case of disagreement.
Each of the parties is requested to inform the Secretary General of the action it may take in compliance with the recommendations.
The Council then affirms its confidence that the members of the League of Nations will refrain from any act that might prejudice the execution or delay application of recommendations. The Council then recalled nonrecognition declaration of March 11, 1932,42 as well as the provisions signed in Washington on August 3, 1932, by 19 American States.43
3. [4?] The draft resolution referred to above is substantially as follows:
Recital of Council’s authority under article 4 paragraph 4 of the Covenant to deal with any question affecting the peace of the world. The Council therefore cannot withhold its attention from developments in the Colombian-Peruvian dispute.
Members of the League of Nations consequent upon part II of the report (described above) should refrain from prejudicial acts, et cetera.
Members of the League pursuant to declaration at meeting of March 11, 1932, should not recognize any situation, et cetera.
Reference to the provisions signed at Washington on August 3, 1932, by 19 American States (as set forth in the report above described).
Council decides to appoint an advisory committee to watch the situation, assist the Council in performance of its duties under article 4 paragraph 4 and help the members of the League for the purpose of concerting their action and their attitude among themselves and non-member states. The make-up of the committee to be as follows:
Germany, United States, China, Spain, France, Guatemala, Irish Free State, Italy, Mexico, Norway, Panama, Poland, Czechoslovakia. The committee to invite the Governments of the United States and Brazil to collaborate in its work in the manner they shall consider most appropriate.
The committee to report progress within 3 months of adoption of report.
- Treaties, Conventions, etc., vol. iii, p. 3336.↩
- Foreign Relations, Japan, 1931–1941, vol. i, p. 210.↩
- Foreign Relations, 1932, vol. v, p. 159.↩