Chargé Pierrepont to the Secretary of State.

No. 73.]

Sir: Referring to the department’s cable of March 25, forwarded to this legation by the embassy in Petropolis, regarding the statement of the Secretary of State resulting from representations made by the representatives in Washington of Peru and Ecuador, I have the honor to inclose herewith a copy and translation of the reply of the minister of foreign affairs of Chile to my note of March 28, written in accordance with the department’s instructions.

The minister of foreign affairs remarked to me in a friendly conversation yesterday that the had been pleased to hear from Quito that the Secretary of State’s suggestion would be adopted and the question of limits referred for adjustment to the United States, the King of Spain having gladly consented to withhold his award.

I have, etc.,

Seth L. Pierrepont.
[Inclosure—Translation.]

The Minister for Foreign Affairs to Chargé Pierrepont.

No. 734.]

Mr. Chargé d’Affaires: This department is in receipt of your attentive note, No. 60, dated March 28 last. In it, according to instructions from your Government, you have been good enough to inform the department that the diplomatic representatives of Peru and Ecuador in Washington, in the name of their respective Governments have consulted the opinion of your Government concerning the possibility of arranging through it a direct settlement of the difficulties pending between them on account of the boundary dispute which they have submitted to the decision of the King of Spain.

You conclude your note by inserting the answer of the Secretary of State of the United States, who entertains the idea insinuated by the interested Governments and states the manner in which, in his judgment, it might be carried out.

On thanking you for the information contained in the note which I have the honor to answer, I must assure you of the great pleasure with which the Government of Chile learns of the deep interest with which the Government of the United States is inspired by the possibility of finding a direct, friendly, and satisfactory settlement of the difficulties in which the Governments of Ecuador and Peru are involved on account of the boundary arbitration.

The department is fully informed of the formula suggested by your Government to bring about that agreement, and can not do less than to second the idea of soliciting the roayal arbitrator to withhold the award while the negotiations which must lead to it are being developed.

I take this opportunity, etc.,

Agustin Edwards.