724.3415/769: Telegram
The Chargé in Bolivia (Hibbard) to the Secretary of State
[Received 9:20 p.m.]
79. I called on the Minister for Foreign Affairs this morning who explained to me that no formal answer had been made to my note sent in accordance with the Department’s circular September 23, 6 p.m., because the disturbed internal situation had not permitted the President to study the matter carefully. However there is to be a Cabinet meeting today at which Bolivia’s reply will be discussed and when the decision is reached I am to see the President personally before a note is sent.
I believe the President still favors direct negotiations between the two countries but that he will accept the good offices of one of the neutral countries, probably the United States, to assist in the negotiations as was done in the settlement between Chile and Peru. Señor Luis Abelli has been very useful in persuading the President to consider the offer of good offices. After a conference with the President, Abelli asked me if the United States would undertake such a role in the negotiations. I replied that I was sure the United States was ready to assist in any way possible in reaching an amicable settlement but that I could not answer definitely. I would, however, be glad to cable the President’s suggestions to the Department as soon as I received them.
Should such an arrangement be made, Abelli will probably represent Bolivia and the meetings will be held in Washington if direct negotiations [Page 918] are begun without the assistance of a neutral government. Abelli or Mercado, former Bolivian Minister to Paraguay but now in Mexico, will be sent to Asunción.
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There is a feeling among a certain element here, particularly in Congress, that General McCoy has not been impartial toward Bolivia. The Minister for Foreign Affairs informs me that this feeling arises from a confidential report of the Bolivian delegates which reached Congress to the effect that they were not consulted before the formula for the settlement of the fundamental question was announced. The impression seems to be that an attempt was made to force them to accept a settlement without ample discussion. Abelli tells me the President shared this feeling but has now been persuaded that such was not the case.