724.3415/747: Telegram
The Chargé in Bolivia (Hibbard) to the Secretary of State
[Received 11 p.m.]
75. Department’s telegram No. 59, September 30. I delivered the note embodied in the Department’s telegram of September 23 at 2:30 this afternoon. The Colombian Minister delivered a similar note yesterday afternoon at 5 and the Mexican Minister this morning at 9.
In delivering the note I spoke to the Minister for Foreign Affairs in the sense of the Department’s telegram of today’s date and was informed that the Bolivian Government would give the communication its most serious consideration. I pointed out that Paraguay would probably undertake direct negotiations with Bolivia if these were conducted with the assistance of friendly and neutral governments and asked if Bolivia would be averse to such an agreement. The Minister was noncommittal in his reply, stating that this would be one way of reaching an agreement and referred to the recent agreement between Chile and Peru79 which while arrived at directly was aided by the friendly cooperation of the United States. However he repeated his belief in the possibility and desirability of direct negotiations, adding that commissions aroused public opinion unduly, created congressional inquiries and that such questions were more easily settled in the quiet of a Foreign Office. He added that at least the zone to be arbitrated might be decided upon directly and then the matter referred to an arbitral commission.
I then asked if any arrangements had been made for renewing the diplomatic relations between the two countries as it would be impossible to carry on any direct negotiations until relations had been resumed. He replied in the negative but said he was looking for a suitable representative to send to Asunción. I then asked how Bolivia intended to resume these relations. He answered that as the recent commission had not set a definite date for pacific relations it would be necessary to ask some friendly government to inquire in Asunción whether the Bolivian representative was acceptable and vice versa. I asked if he could tell me what country this would be and whom he was considering as a possible minister. He replied in the negative. I believe from what I have heard from other sources that Argentina will be the country chosen and that Alvestegui is being considered for Minister with Guachalla, former Chargé d’Affaires in Chile, as assistant. I do not think Bolivia will take the initiative as it is desirable for reasons of internal politics that the Government does not appear too eager to resume relations.
[Page 911]I pointed out the danger of delay, stating that while my Government had every confidence in the pacific intentions of Bolivia there were 52 forts in the Chaco and many troops concentrated there and that it was possible for subordinates without the knowledge of their Government to create incidents the consequences of which might be both far reaching and serious. He admitted this comparing the possibilities to those of Sarajevo but assured me that Bolivia would not resort to arms under any circumstances as she firmly believed in peaceful methods and realized the folly of war from the financial viewpoint.
In closing the interview I asked what Bolivia proposed to do should Paraguay refuse direct negotiations. He said that he had not considered the matter but that Bolivia would certainly seek some other method of amicable settlement.