JENARO SANJINES, Chief Clerk of Foreign Affairs to Note .—The statement made by me was that, in the present complicated condition of affairs, Chili would not yield her claim to the cession of Tarapacà, unless compelled to do so by a manifestation on the part of the United States of a purpose to force her to that determination; that neither the people nor the Government of the United States had ever contemplated the possibility of assuming a warlike attitude. W. BLAINE, April 1, 1882

(Private copy.)

In the city of La Paz, on the 1st of April, 1882, in accordance with an agreement made the previous day, Mr. Walker Blaine with General Adams, minister resident of the United States, met Doctor Pedro José Zilveti, in the office of the minister of foreign affairs for Bolivia. The minister commenced by asking Mr. Blaine what character they would give to the interview, to which he replied that he had instructions from the plenipotentiary, Mr. Trescot, to ascertain the opinions and intentions of the Government of Bolivia, and that the conference would, therefore, be entirely confidential.

Señor Zilveti having signified his wish to know the extent and importance of the protocol of February 11th, signed by Messrs. Trescot and Balmaceda, Mr. Blaine made the same statements that he did, in reference to this matter, in his interview of March 28th with Señor Carrillo, stating, therefore, as a conclusion, that there was entire freedom of action for American diplomacy, in conformity with the friendly character of its relations towards the three belligerent nations. Señor Zilveti was permitted to ask Mr. Blaine what position the United States would take if Chili persisted in demanding the conditions of peace set forth in the protocol of the llth of February, which on the part of Bolivia are absolutely inadmissible. The reply was as follows: the government of the United States sincerely desires the cessation of the actual war, but does not find itself in a position to itself assume a warlike attitude because it does not desrie to make war, nor do the American people desire it; that for this reason, if the indicated conditions were not modified and the demand of cession of territory were maintained by Chili as the right of a conqueror and as a condition, sine qua non, of a settlement, the Government of the United States could do nothing more than to retire completely. (See foot note.) Señor Zilveti replied that he did not think that the point could be reached. That the United States would have to declare war against Chili, because one determined word from the former government would suffice to bring the conqueror to reason and make him consent to an equitable and satisfactory arrangement. He called attention, besides, to the fact that the retirement of the United States in such a case would make worse the condition of the allies and make another victory for Chili.

Señor Zilveti, being asked upon what base Bolivia would enter into an arrangement for the cessation of the present war which causes so much injury to the belligerents, replied, that, according to the conditions imposed by Chili, it would amount to a perpetual closing in of Bolivia, its deprivation of every outlet upon the Pacific, and its consequent death; that Bolivia could accept no such arrangement, preferring to indefinitely maintain a defensive attitude; but that, in his opinion, a preliminary arrangement for peace might be made, recognizing the right to a just indemnity, the mode and payment of which would be matter for a future international contract, the express declaration being made that the right of conquest was not recognized, and that this must be done without impairing the loyalty which Bolivia owes Peru, in accordance with their treaty of alliance.

Referring to the case of an absolute impossibility of arriving at any definite agreement, and of the wisdom of stipulating for an armistice or temporary truce, Mr. Blaine asked on what conditions Bolivia would accept it. Señor Zilveti replied that he could not say with certainty what these conditions would be, but, as his own private opinion, he might say that, in the event of treating for a truce jointly with Peru, the war occupation should be limited to the department of Tarapacá and the littoral of Bolivia, a neutral zone should be determined, liberty and necessary guarantees given that Peru may be organized in a stable manner, and liberty of commerce accorded to Bolivia, through its own and Peruvian ports, in accordance with the existing treaties between the two nations. Señor Zilveti having asked if it was true that Mr. Trescot, in his special mission, expected new instructions from his government, and if they would be soon communicated, Mr. Blaine replied that they were actually expected, but that they could not be given until after the Congress of the United States, to which the question had been submitted for its consideration, should have passed upon it, and that he thought it improbable that this would be done immediately, since to obtain more exact information Mr. Hurlbut had been summoned home, and was to leave Lima on the 6th of April.

Referring to the mission of Señor Carrillo, with whom Mr. Blaine had conversed in Arequipa, Señor Zilveti stated that if Chili sincerely wished to enter into an arrangement leading to a solution of the present conflict, she would give Señor Carrillo a passport and the necessary guarantees that he might put himself in communication with the Government of Peru, to which he has been accredited. Mr. Blaine said that he thought so, too, and had, on his part, addressed Mr. Trescot from Arequipa, recommending him to obtain from the Chilian authorities all the guarantees wished for, that Señor Carrillo might proceed to the fulfillment of his mission.

Here the confidential interview, of which this is a brief summary, ended.

Approved.