710.1012 Washington/68

The Minister in Paraguay ( Kreech ) to the Secretary of State

No. 550

Sir: I have the honor to reply to the Department’s instruction No. 417 of April 14, 1928,84 concerning the approaching conference for the consideration of obligatory arbitration in accordance with the resolution passed at the Sixth International Conference of American States at Habana.

The Government of Paraguay is thoroughly in accord with the suggestions of the Secretary of State, that the conference be called to [Page 631] meet in Washington on December 10, 1928, and that not more than two delegates be named by each country.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs talked very freely concerning the conference and gave me the opportunity discreetly to ascertain his views regarding the attitude of his Government to the arbitration of juridical questions. Paraguay believes that all questions of whatever nature, that might arise as potential causes of war should be considered obligatory of arbitration. He mentioned Paraguay’s question with Bolivia, concerning limits,85 and said, “It is, as you know, purely a juridical question, yet it would come under the terms of such a treaty.” Conversation continued in which the Tacna-Arica question86 was mentioned, and here again he maintained the difference was such a juridical question that a treaty of conciliation and arbitration should be applicable, although he thought that Chile would oppose such a suggestion, while possessing belief in, and expressing agreeableness to, arbitration.

Much study has been given the subject of arbitration by the Minister, and he is very much interested in the coming conference. He is of the opinion that the Gondra Treaty will take care of conciliation questions, but that such a treaty is secondary in importance to one of arbitration.

I have [etc.]

Geo. L. Kreeck
  1. See footnote 66, p. 621.
  2. See pp. 672 ff.
  3. See pp. 660 ff.