724.3415/704: Telegram
The Chargé in Bolivia (Hibbard) to the Secretary of State
[Received 1:25 p.m.]
68. Legation’s No. 66, September 16, 2 p.m.64 Yesterday afternoon the Minister for Foreign Affairs read to me the text of the note sent to the Bolivian Minister in the United States for delivery to the Secretary of State.65 The Minister for Foreign Affairs added that Bolivia desired a direct understanding with Paraguay and he thought this would be possible with a renewal of diplomatic relations between Bolivia and Paraguay. Should it be impossible to reach a direct agreement, perhaps the zone to be arbitrated could be decided upon and another arbitral commission set up. Should this fail, the matter would be referred to a commission similar to the commission just terminated. In no case would the Government of Bolivia resort to belligerent action since Bolivia fully realized the folly of such a course. The Minister for Foreign Affairs stated that the Government of Bolivia felt that the Commission in Washington had finished its duties under the protocol and that Bolivia [Page 894] had previously stated that such recommendations as the neutral Commissioners might make on the settlement of the basic controversy could have only an informal character. However, in the coming negotiations with Paraguay, Bolivia would be guided by the opinion of the neutral Commissioners of the last Conference. The Minister for Foreign Affairs entertains the hope that Bolivia and Paraguay can reach an agreement as satisfactory as Peru and Chile. It is quite evident that Bolivia does not wish the present Conference to be prolonged. This, I believe, is due to the present domestic political situation, as well as the feeling that an arrangement more satisfactory to Bolivia can thus be obtained. …