724.3415/983: Telegram
The Chargé in Bolivia (Hibbard) to the Acting Secretary of State
[Received 3:20 p.m.]
12. My telegram No. 8, February 1, noon. The President returned from Potosi Tuesday after what the Government newspapers call a triumphal reception. He has not taken up the matter of the neutral note either during his absence or since his return.
A [The] Nationalist Party has issued a manifesto containing the following statement:
“The Nationalist Party unanimously, with the sole exception of its founder, Dr. Hernando Siles, who has not yet been convinced, believes that, in view of the grave international situation provoked by Paraguay and the present chaotic state of internal politics, it is of the greatest public advantage in order to prevent anarchy and maintain peace which will assure the external defense of the country to execute a legal extension of the Presidential term of Dr. Siles until the situation becomes normal and the Nationalist Government is able to advance its wide constructive program and national consolidation.”
It is evident that the Nationalist Party intends to prolong the Presidential term and the reluctance of Siles is only a pretense. The party has recovered from the first fright produced by the repercussion of the last Chaco incident and will now carry out its original program. The press is more rigidly censored and the most restrictive measures have been taken against all who express any opinion against the administration or are even suspected of doing so. For this reason the Republican Party has temporarily abandoned its convention to choose a Presidential candidate and it will probably never be held.
I believe the President will continue to delay consideration of the last neutral note since the principal reason for his continuance in office is the grave international crisis provoked by the alleged Paraguayan attack and any acceptance of good offices on his part would be construed as weakening his party’s position.
Although in urging him to accept I have always pointed out that the United States is only animated by a friendly desire to see this old controversy amicably settled, I am constantly confronted with the expressed or implied feeling that the United States is exerting pressure for reasons of its imperialistic South American policy. As far as I can learn I am the only representative in La Paz who has urged acceptance. Would it be possible to suggest to the other neutral Governments that their representatives also be instructed to keep this matter actively before the President?