724.3415/3496: Telegram
The Ambassador in Argentina (Weddell) to the Acting Secretary of State
[Received 9:07 p.m.]
16. Following sent to the Secretary on shipboard:
“January 16, 7 p.m. Your January 15, noon.19 In accordance therewith I today called on the President and the Minister for Foreign Affairs and conveyed your message. The present attitude of the Argentine Government is that owing to its membership on the League Council it must work through the League of Nations Commission in its peace efforts. To this end it has today suggested the following peace formula to the League Commission here.
[Page 45]- 1st.
- For military security; demobilization and reduction of army to peace footing, withdrawal of troops to points to be established, arrangement for policing of the Chaco, the foregoing with a 6 months’ armistice in which time a solution of the basic problem will be attempted through direct negotiations between the belligerents, their pledge to acquire no war material during the 6 months’ period.
- 2d.
- For a solution of the basic problem; an agreement that in the event of no solution being found within the above mentioned 6 months’ period that the Council of the League of Nations shall then act automatically under article 15 of the League pact.20
President Justo stated that Paraguayan delegate was prepared to go at once to Asunción to urge his Government’s adoption of formula should Bolivia accept. President emphasized that moment was now ripe for President Roosevelt to urge through our diplomatic representatives acceptance by belligerent Governments of above mentioned peace formula.
Although League Commission’s report is now before League Council it continues its peace efforts with Paraguayan and Bolivian delegations here.
Repeated to Department, Asunción, La Paz, Montevideo.”