721.23/1753: Telegram
The Consul at Geneva (Gilbert) to the Secretary of State
[Received May 20—1:10 p.m.]
130. Secretary General has received following telegram from Peruvian Government dated May 17:
“My Government understands that evacuation by Peru Amazon trapezium of Leticia is to be simultaneous with evacuation by Colombia of Güepí and all possessions she has occupied in the Peruvian Putumayo. I should be grateful for reply, to enable Peru to reach decision on bases proposed by Committee.”
Reply of Secretary General dated May 18 is as follows:
“Reply your telegram I have the honor to confirm that article 8 of the arrangement proposed by the Committee must be interpreted to mean simultaneous evacuation by Peru of Leticia trapezium and by Colombia of Güepí and any other part of Peruvian territory. Interpretation given in your telegram is therefore correct. It is accepted by the Colombian Government.”
I learn that the Peruvian delegate has suggested an amendment to the Committee’s report (Wilson’s 178, May 10, 9 p.m.) which would charge the proposed commission to take over the whole Leticia trapezium instead of only that portion occupied by Peruvian troops. Lester is understood to have declined to consider this amendment or to propose it to the Colombian Government. In an apparent attempt to forestall the Peruvian proposal of which he seems to have had knowledge from other sources the Colombian delegate soon afterwards informed Lester that his Government accepted the arrangement in its present form without modification. I learn that Lester has telegraphed the Peruvian Government notifying it of Colombia’s acceptance and requesting an indication of its decision for reference to the Council Monday.