724.3415/329: Telegram
The Ambassador in Argentina (Bliss) to the Secretary of State
[Received 9:30 p.m.]
2. In compliance with your telegram of December 31, 8 [7] p.m. I saw this afternoon, accompanied by the Minister for Foreign Affairs, [Page 830] the President of Argentina who informed me what had been the policy of Argentina in the Bolivian-Paraguayan conflict.
Dr. Irigoyen said to me that as soon as he took over the Government he received a communication from the Argentine Minister in La Paz according to which the relations between Paraguay and Bolivia had become very grave. Immediately on receipt of that telegram and as he was already preoccupied at the time of assuming the Presidency by the conflict existing between the two friendly countries, he thought it his duty to offer his services to both nations as an amicable adjuster, not as arbiter, in order thus to solve with the collaboration and agreement of the parties themselves the dispute which divides them. This offer of President Irigoyen was made before there occurred between Bolivians and Paraguayans the subsequent regrettable encounters. Paraguay replied, frankly and freely accepting the offer of Dr. Irigoyen; while Bolivia, which also did so immediately and in the most exalted terms as regards Dr. Irigoyen and Argentina, made reservations with relation to the dispute itself. Dr. Irigoyen, with sentiments of natural delicacy, believed then as he does now, that his mission and that of Argentina had terminated, since previous to the acts of bloodshed between Bolivia and Paraguay, he had offered his services to reconcile both sister nations.
President Irigoyen believes moreover that no reason exists for the moment for him to change his attitude, especially when the signing of the forthcoming protocol entrusts the solution of the latest conflict to entities as important and honorable as the United States, Uruguay, Brazil and Cuba which gives assurance that the peace of the continent will happily not be disturbed since such a disturbance would be inconceivable to contemplate after the tragic and sorrowful experience which humanity has recently undergone.
For the reasons given President Irigoyen, expressing thanks for the summons, declined to have the Argentine Republic participate in the Commission for Investigation and Conciliation.