724.3415/4933: Telegram
The Ambassador in Argentina (Weddell) to the Secretary of State
[Received 10:25 p.m.]
64. At Commission meeting today the Bolivian Minister for Foreign Affairs submitted what he stated was an acceptance in its general lines of the formula reported in my 61, June 3, 9 p.m., but containing several new conditions. The Bolivian counter formula provides for the inclusion of the old neutral commission group and also Venezuela and Ecuador as members of the Peace Conference. It also stipulates that the Congresses of Bolivia and Paraguay ratify the agreement within 20 days of its signature.
Under section (c) article II the prolongation of the armistice cannot exceed 30 days.
Article IV contains a new section providing for the exchange of prisoners and fixing the military effectives of each country at not to exceed 6,000 men. What is considered by members of the Commission to be serious Bolivian stipulation relates to the necessity of establishing terms of the arbitration before military commission should proceed to front to make effective conditions and guarantees demanded by Paraguay.
At the moment there is a measure of pessimism due to the existing difficulty of obtaining simultaneity in the matter of arbitration demanded by Bolivia and the guarantees in connection with the cessation of hostilities demanded by Paraguay, upon the solution of which question, in my opinion, the conclusion of the agreement now contemplated hinges.
Further meetings tomorrow.