724.3415/962: Telegram
The Chargé in Bolivia (Hibbard) to the Acting Secretary of State
[Received 5:05 p.m.]
4. Department’s telegram No. 9, January 25, 1 p.m. I spoke to the Minister for Foreign Affairs this morning at 10, not having been able to see him yesterday. I repeated to him the contents of the telegram under acknowledgment and left with him an aide-mémoire in the same sense. I stated that the present seemed a most propitious time to accept one of the suggestions made by the neutral Governments and that such action would place Bolivia in a most favorable light. He replied that the Bolivian Army was under the complete control of the Government and that there was no danger of any hostilities on the part of Bolivia. Orders had been sent to all contingents in the Chaco to be ready to repulse any attack but to provoke or make none. All alarming messages had been sent out by Paraguay to prejudice the situation and for reasons of internal politics. The Bolivian War Office also had intercepted Paraguayan messages which could be made to appear equally damaging but the Bolivian Government refused to publish them. He stated that he attached no importance to a brief encounter of patrols in a disputed territory as it had been common all over the world where such conditions existed. The agitation of Paraguay was due to the fear that Bolivia would make reprisals as she had done in the case of Boquerón. This fear was unfounded as Bolivia would maintain peace but was prepared to repel any aggression.
I asked if the Bolivian Government had as yet had time to study the note of the neutral Governments of January 9. He replied that it had not as the results of the representations of the Uruguayan Government relative to the completion of the terms of the conciliation agreement were being awaited. I asked if the present incident would further delay consideration of the note and he agreed.
The press is strictly censored but the tone has been very moderate in the last few days. The public is not excited. Business circles are exerting pressure against military action because of the already depressed financial condition. Siles has not yet announced his plans but as elections must be called according to the electoral law on February 2nd some announcement may be made this week.
Two Vickers vespa [bombing?] planes have reached Santa Cruz and will probably go on to Puerto Suarez. Three Breguets are flying south to the Pilcomayo but have not arrived.