724.3415/712a: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Chargé in Bolivia (Hibbard)
56. On September 19, the Bolivian Minister, accompanied by the Bolivian Delegates, called on the Secretary of State. The Bolivian Minister thanked the Secretary for the aid of the United States in the recent conference and also for the services of General McCoy. The Minister then made a statement along the lines indicated in Legation’s telegram number 68, September 17, 9 a.m. He said that the Government of Bolivia desired a complete settlement, but it felt that this could best be accomplished by direct negotiations between Bolivia and Paraguay. The Secretary replied that he appreciated Bolivia’s position in the matter, that a direct settlement was sometimes the easiest, but that in many cases it was of greatest advantage to have some kind of neutral machinery set up to which appeal could be made for aid in surmounting obstacles and difficulties which might arise during the course of negotiations. An example in point is the [Page 901] events of last December. Fortunately the International Conference of American States on Conciliation and Arbitration was in session and it was able immediately to tender its good offices to the contending parties. Otherwise, very serious consequences might have arisen. The Secretary of State felt, therefore, that it was well to maintain some sort of friendly neutral machinery. The Bolivian Minister said that he held the same opinion, and that he would advise the Bolivian Government of the views of the Secretary and support them.
The Secretary said he hoped that a definitive solution of the problem could be reached. He said that he did not believe any solution would be final in which the settlement was not considered just and equitable by both countries. If the Government of the United States or the Secretary personally could be of any assistance to the Governments concerned in bringing about a solution, he was ready at all times to be of service. The Secretary indicated that if a solution should not be reached, and hostilities ensue, the results would be disastrous for both countries. World opinion would be so unfavorable, especially now that so much progress has been made toward a settlement, that this would perhaps do more harm to the two countries than the actual effect of the war itself.
The Bolivian Minister said that he could assure the Secretary that there would be no resort to hostilities, and that the attitude of Bolivia should not be considered as a rejection of the good offices of the United States, but simply as indicating that in deference to Bolivian public sentiment an attempt at direct settlement was being made. Should this result in failure the Secretary could rest assured that Bolivia would again request the good offices of the United States in reaching a settlement. The Secretary expressed his gratification and readiness to be of help and he stressed again the advantage of having some machinery available in case of difficulties, such as the last conference provided.