File No. 4878/2–3.

Minister Beaupré to the Secretary of State .

[Extract.]
No. 476.]

Sir: I have the honor to inclose an article cut from La Presna of the 13th instant, which gives, I believe, accurately the story and results [Page 86] of efforts that are being made to settle the pending boundary dispute between the neighboring Republics of Bolivia and Paraguay, the outcome of which is that the offer of the President of this Republic to act as arbiter in the matter has been accepted, subject to the approval of the Congresses of the two countries.

The dispute in question is, as will be seen, one of long standing, repeated efforts having been made to reach an amicable solution of it. A renewed and serious effort was made by the two countries during the past year to reach a friendly settlement, in that the Government of Bolivia accredited to that of Paraguay one of the most able diplomats, Dr. Emeterio Cano, at one time Bolivian minister for foreign affairs, with special instruction in the matter in question. The Government of Paraguay responded to the cordial act of Bolivia and appointed special plenipotentiary to treat with Doctor Cano an ex-vice-president of Paraguay, Dr. Manuel Dominguez. These two representatives of their respective countries, in spite of diligent endeavors, were unable to find common ground on which to agree.

Such was the state of affairs when Doctor Zeballos, on November 26 last, accepted the portfolio of minister of foreign affairs of this Government. Doctor Zeballos took advantage of the presence in this country some weeks ago, en route for Europe, of the minister for foreign affairs of Bolivia, Dr. Caludio Pinilla, through the Argentine minister in Asuncion to offer to the Government of Paraguay the mediation of this Government in the pending question on the following conditions:

Meeting in Buenos Aires of the ministers for foreign affairs of the two countries in order to discuss the respective claims of the same, and to endeavor to reach a direct arrangement between them. In case of disagreement the matter to be submitted to arbitration before the President of this Republic.

This offer of intervention was accepted, and Dr. Adolfo L. Soler, at present minister of finance but recently minister for foreign affairs of Paraguay, was at once sent to Buenos Aires to represent that country in the matter. Doctor Dominguez, the special plenipotentiary of Paraguay appointed last year to treat with Doctor Cano, of Bolivia, accompanied him to advise with Doctor Soler.

These plenipotentiaries of the two countries met in this city with Doctor Zeballos. In spite, however, of repeated endeavors the matter proved difficult of solution, and it was decided to avail themselves of the alternative condition contained in Doctor Zeballo’s offer of mediation and to submit the question to the arbitral decision of the President of this Republic. Accordingly, on the 12th instant, a protocol to that effect was signed by the authorized parties. The protocol, in accordance with one of its terms, will be submitted to the congresses of Bolivia and Paraguay, and, if approved, the matter will be taken up in regular form, and the decision of the President of this country will be final in the matter.

It will be observed from the map which La Prensa prints to accompany the inclosed article that the territory in question lies between the rivers Paraguay and Pilcomayo, and between the parallels of latitude 19½ and 23 south and between the meridians of longitude 58 and 63 west.

I am, etc.,

A. M. Beaupré.