Chief Hydrographer of the Canadian Government attend the hearings. The bills were still before the Committee on the adjournment of the session of Congress on June 7, 1924. I regret that the formulation of a comprehensive statement of the views of this Government concerning the diversion of water from Lake Michigan will have to be deferred for a time because certain of the questions involved are under consideration by Congress and the Supreme Court both of which are at the present time in recess. This Government is prepared, however, to include consideration of the diversions of water from Lake Michigan among the questions to be referred by the United States and Canada to the Joint Board of Engineers appointed for the further investigation of the proposed Saint Lawrence Waterway,18 as will be fully explained in my note in regard to the instructions to be given to the engineers. It would be understood, of course, that the submission of this question to the Joint Board of Engineers would be without prejudice to the rights of this Government with reference to the diversion of water from Lake Michigan or the position which it may take concerning questions that may arise because of such diversions. In connection with the statement made in your note under acknowledgment that it is the purpose of the Canadian Government to publish forthwith your note No. 256 of March 21, 1924, I invite your attention to the release of my note of April 2, 1924, given in my note of April 9, 1924.19 Accept [etc.] CHARLES E. HUGHES 18 See note of Apr. 28, 1924, to the British Ambassador, p. 347. 19 Latter not printed. CHILE RESIGNATION OF PRESIDENT ALESSANDRI AND THE EXERCISE OF INFORMAL RELATIONS BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES EMBASSY AND THE NEW ADMINISTRATION AT SANTIAGO 825.001 A1 2/6 Telegram The Ambassador in Chile (Collier) to the Secretary of State SANTIAGO, September 9, 1924-3 p. m. [Received September 9-10: 10 a. m.] 53. Alessandri resigned last night rather than accede to Junta's demands. He dissolved Congress. He arrived at Embassy accompanied by various members of his immediate family at 3 a. m. seeking asylum which was granted for the night. General Altamirano, head of the Government and now acting President, was duly informed. I gave out the following statement to the press: "Don Arturo Alessandri came to the American Embassy after midnight accompanied by members of his family stating that he has resigned as President of Chile. He asked the hospitality of the Embassy. It was granted to him. No Chilean ever asked the hospitality of the Embassy and was refused.” COLLIER 825.00/282: Telegram The Ambassador in Chile (Collier) to the Secretary of State [Paraphrase] SANTIAGO, September 9, 1924-4 p. m. 55. Foreign Minister in his personal capacity and in the name of the Government called to express thanks for the hospitality which I extended to Alessandri; also for the form of press statement included in my number 53, September 9. Several hundred people, including many of the opposition, have visited the Embassy with full permission of the Government to pay their respects to Alessandri. All appeared deeply touched by the fact that I had refrained from 1 La Junta de Gobierno de Septiembre. 357 saying that I had afforded him asylum and instead had stated that I had extended him hospitality thereby avoiding the implication that his life was in danger. Complete calm and order prevail. COLLIER 825.00/284: Telegram The Ambassador in Chile (Collier) to the Secretary of State [Paraphrase] SANTIAGO, September 10, 1924–7 p. m. [Received September 11-9:20 a. m.] 56. Tonight Alessandri and family depart for Buenos Aires with Europe as their ultimate destination. I shall accompany them to Mendoza, returning Friday evening. I am taking this course at the request of the family and with the full permission of the Government. On two occasions Alessandri tendered his resignation but each time it was rejected by Congress. The latter, however, under the Constitution has granted him a leave of 6 months. He stated to me that he intends again to resign when he crosses the frontier, inasmuch as he believes it to be inconsistent with his self-respect and dignity to remain in office when he is not permitted by the military junta to perform the duties of his office. In a sense his resignation is absolutely voluntary although his departure from Chile is a result of his knowledge that if he did not depart he would be forced to by the junta. The junta wants him to accept the leave granted and not resign. In keeping with the Constitution General Altamirano. as Minister of the Interior assumed full power as Acting President. The Cabinet offered to send in their resignations but the members have all been retained. No other faction or party claims to be the Government. Thousands of people throughout Chile undoubtedly do not approve of what has happened. However, I have learned of no protests, especially by organized factions. Everything has been done according to constitutional forms. The exertion of pressure has been by intimation rather than by direct threats. No act of violence has yet occurred, but if compliance had not been given force would undoubtedly have been used. The nation as a whole seems inclined to accept the present Government at least until a new Constitution is adopted or until new elections bring about a change. The legality of the Government is not challenged by the press. Under the existing situation I believe that the new Cabinet must be recognized as legal and General Altamirano as constitutionally selected. I believe most and possibly all members of the diplomatic corps hold this view. It is practically certain, however, that the present Congress will be done away with. . . . It cannot be constitu tionally dissolved but the junta will certainly ask its members to resign and if necessary dissolve it by force. Please instruct me concerning the recognition of the new Government. COLLIER 825.00/285: Telegram The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Chile (Collier) [Paraphrase] WASHINGTON, September 12, 1924-2 p. m. 40. Since you have stated that constitutional forms have been observed in the executive branch of the Government, the Government of the United States does not desire to raise the question of recognition. Department believes it advisable to avoid discussion of recognition and to let relations continue as at present without making public statements which seemingly are not called for. HUGHES 825.00/285 Suppl.: Telegram The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Chile (Collier) [Paraphrase] WASHINGTON, September 13, 1924-1 p. m. 42. Refer to my September 12, 2 p. m. According to press reports military junta has accepted Alessandri's resignation. It is reported from Buenos Aires that Alessandri has made statement that he was banished and that there is no constitutional government in Chile. You are instructed to avoid any formal relations with the new regime until the situation clears up, but do not make your course conspicuous. Should a situation arise where it would be impossible to remain noncommittal telegraph Department at once. HUGHES 825.00/287: Telegram The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Chile (Collier) [Paraphrase] WASHINGTON, September 15, 1924—5 p. m. 43. Department appreciates desirability of avoiding any steps which might have an unfavorable reaction on the local situation. However, the attitude of the Government of the United States so far as the recognition of the new regime is concerned must be guided not simply by the sincerity and objectives of those in control but also by those general principles which must govern our policy in extending recognition to any administration which may come into power in another nation by extra-constitutional means. At the present time it does not seem clear that the Government of the United States would be justified in assuming that the new regime was sufficiently established to warrant formal relations. For the present you will maintain frank, friendly, but informal relations, and you may make it clear that the United States is only pursuing that course which it invariably takes in like cases in other parts of the world. HUGHES 825.01/21 The Secretary of State to the Chilean Ambassador (Mathieu) WASHINGTON, October 9, 1924. EXCELLENCY: While it is not the intention of this Government to discontinue dealing with you as Ambassador of Chile, I desire to state in order to avoid misapprehension that it should be understood that this Government's action in so doing is not to be construed as a recognition of the régime now functioning in Chile as other than the de facto authorities in control of the administration of Chile. Accept [etc.] CHARLES E. HUGHES 825.01/13: Telegram The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Chile (Collier) WASHINGTON, October 9, 1924-5 p. m. 52. Your 72, October 6, 6 p. m., paragraph 2.2 You may legalize documents issued by officials mentioned and authenticate their signatures indicating that the officials in question are the de facto authorities now functioning in Chile. Such legalization with such indication does not constitute recognition of a new government. It is the policy of the United States either to recognize or not to recognize a new government as such. It does not now recognize a régime functioning in a country as a so-called de facto government. Until circumstances impel it to recognize a régime as the government of a country the dealings with that régime are to be deemed merely dealings with the authorities actually in control and as having no other significance. Their character should therefore be made clear in order to prevent misconstruction. HUGHES 'Not printed; it requested instructions with regard to authentication of documents bearing signatures of officers of new regime. |