724.3415/1282: Telegram
The Minister in Bolivia (Feely) to the Acting Secretary of State
[Received 12:47 p.m.]
78. In response to my inquiry as to the status of the Argentine offer of good offices looking toward an amicable settlement of the Ynsfran incident and the resumption of relations, the Minister for Foreign Affairs last evening informed me that informal conversations were in progress with Argentine Minister here, and that he would inform me as soon as a decision is reached. Similar inquiries were made by other Latin American missions. I also inquired when a reply to the neutral Governments’ note of June 25th might be expected and he said it would probably be forthcoming next week but it is my opinion that it will be further delayed. [Paraphrase.] An Indian guide to a Paraguayan patrol near Fortin Saavedra was [Page 747] shot July 1 by a Bolivian sentry. No publicity, however, has been given in La Paz to the incident. [End paraphrase.] The Bolivian Army is evidently being put in readiness to defend its position, but the Chief of the General Staff yesterday informed me that he did not contemplate serious incidents and that strict orders had been given to avoid clashes. Paraguayan Minister left here for Lima, taking archives, on July 9th with instructions to await developments there. Bolivian Minister Guachalla is in Buenos Aires.