721.23/1889
The Chargé in Colombia (Dawson) to
the Secretary of State
No. 5679
Bogotá, June 23, 1933.
[Received July
6.]
Sir: With reference to my despatch No. 5665 of
June 20, 1933,88
concerning the arrival in Colombia of members of the League of Nations
Commission for the administration of the Leticia territory, I have the
honor to enclose copies and translations of a note from the Minister for
Foreign Affairs transmitting copies of the agreement of May 25, 1933,
between Colombia and Peru and of a communication received from the
Commission reporting that it began to function on June 19, 1933. Copies
and translations of the telegram from the Commission are also enclosed,
but not of the agreement,
[Page 542]
since copies of the original French text and translations of the latter
have already been transmitted to the Department (despatch No. 5563 of
May 11, 193389).
Respectfully yours,
[Enclosure—Translation]
The Colombian Minister for Foreign Affairs
(Urdaneta
Arbeláez) to the American
Chargé (Dawson)
Mr. Chargé d’affaires: For your information
I have the honor to transmit herewith a copy of the agreement
entered into under the auspices of the League of Nations by the
Governments of Colombia and Peru on the 25th of last May, by which
the conflict arising from the occupation of Leticia on September 1,
1932, has been peacefully terminated.
The agreement in question has been entered into with the object of
facilitating the application of the recommendations (which were)
adopted by the Council of the League of Nations at its session of
the 18th of last March and accepted by Colombia and Peru. The
Commission which will administer the territory of Leticia will do so
in the name of the Government of Colombia and by virtue of the
mandate which the latter entrusted to the League of Nations and
which that body accepted. As for the subsequent negotiations
provided for in the agreement, it should be remarked that they will
have as their object the consideration, on the basis of treaties in
effect, of all problems pending between Colombia and Peru.
Likewise, I am pleased to inform you that the Commission referred to
in the attached agreement has already begun to function, according
to an official communication from the Commission which was sent the
day before yesterday to the Governments of Colombia and Peru and of
which I am also sending you a copy herewith.
I have waited until the provisions of the agreement of May 25 began
actually to be carried out before informing you thereof; this took
place upon the constitution of the Administrative Commission
appointed by the League of Nations.
I avail myself [etc.]
[Page 543]
[Subenclosure—Translation]
The President of the Commission (Brown) to the Colombian Minister for Foreign Affairs
(Urdaneta
Arbeláez)
S. S. “Mosquera”, June 19, 1933.
- 1.
- The Commission for the administration of the Leticia territory
appointed by the League of Nations and consisting of Colonel
Arthur Brown, Captain Alberto de Lemos Bastos, (and) Captain
Francisco Iglesias, (as) Commissioners, (and) Dr. Armando
Mencía90
(as) Secretary General, was constituted on the nineteenth of
June, 1933, upon holding its first plenary meeting at Teffé,
Brazil, all members being present aboard the Colombian S. S. Mosquera.
- 2.
- During its first month of operation the Commission will be
presided over by Colonel Arthur Brown of the United States of
America.
- 3.
- The Commission has adopted a flag which it will use as a
distinctive mark.
- 4.
- The characteristics of that flag are: rectangular, white, with
the following inscription in dark blue: “League of Nations
Leticia Commission.”
- 5.
- Upon the evacuation of the Leticia territory that flag will be
hoisted along with the flag of Colombia.
- 6.
- The Commission has agreed to arrive at Leticia on the morning
of the twenty-third of June in accordance with Article 2 of the
agreement of May 25, 1933, and with this end in view the
Governments of Colombia and Peru are informed and requested to
take the necessary measures in this connection.
