724.3415/307: Telegram
The Minister in Paraguay (Kreeck) to the Secretary of State
[Received December 25—10 p.m.]
39. The Paraguayan Government transmitted the following note to the Legation December 22, 7 p.m.:
“I have had the honor of receiving from the hands of Your Excellency a questionnaire formulated by the special commission of the Conference of Arbitration and I am pleased to answer it in the following terms:
My Government has no objection to signing a protocol by virtue of the good offices of the Conference but as the determination of its basis depends on a previous agreement between the parties, it may be permitted to suggest that the commission of inquiry be constituted immediately, with two delegates from each party and other delegates of the neutral countries that the Conference may elect and whose number it shall itself determine.
Within this commission would be studied the basis of the protocol in order to determine the matter of its jurisdiction and its attributes.
In this respect my Government takes the lead in saying that the investigation and decision of said entity should devolve not only upon the incidents of Fort Vanguardia but also upon all the other acts which have occurred and their legal antecedents.
[Page 820]My Government desires that effective guarantees be established in order that the decision of the Commission will be complied with and loyally respected. It also wishes to suggest that only the neutral delegates have a vote in this decision.
This Government would be pleased if the seat of the Commission were one of the South American capitals and in this respect it is permitted to indicate the city of Buenos Aires because 01 it being nearest to the scene of the events and to facilitate the consultation by the delegates of both parties with their respective governments.
Paraguay has no objection to cease the concentration of its troops and hostilities if Bolivia is disposed to do the same and if it be given guarantees that it will not be again attacked.
This Government believes that the propitious moment has not yet arrived for the renewing of diplomatic relations between the two countries which have been broken by the initiative of Bolivia.
In answering in this manner the above-mentioned questionnaire I am pleased to salute Your Excellency, etc. Signed, Zubizarreta”.
Minister of Foreign Affairs would welcome selection of other capital than Buenos Aires but believed it policy to mention that capital in the note.
The Minister is favorable to renew diplomatic relations but believes present moment not propitious in which I can concur.
Mobilization has been suspended and instructions given restraining the forces in the field from all acts of violence. With opposing forces near, unfortunate circumstances may occur however irrespective of instruction.