724.3415/1305a: Telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to the Minister in Bolivia (Feely)
40. The representatives of the neutral Governments in Washington today agreed to recommend to their Governments the sending to Bolivia of the following note. Do not deliver the note or make any mention regarding it until further instructed by the Department. As soon as the neutral Governments agree regarding this text you will be advised of the date on which it should be presented to the Bolivian Government. The note is as follows:
“The neutral Governments have studied with care the note received on July 25 from the Bolivian Government in reply to their note of June 25. They have noted with the greatest pleasure the statement that the Bolivian Government would be disposed to study immediately a pact of non-aggression in the Chaco, of such a nature as to guarantee peace and tranquillity, with the purpose of entering into negotiations that would carry the territorial controversy to an equitable and final ending under the auspices of a procedure propitious to a pacific settlement.
The neutral Governments have felt that they could recommend this suggestion to the Paraguayan Government, which they have done today.
In expressing their gratification at this constructive suggestion received from the Bolivian Government, the neutral Governments have the honor to inquire whether the Bolivian Government will be disposed to authorize its diplomatic representative in Washington, or else to send a duly accredited representative for the purpose, to study and draw up a pact of non-aggression in the Chaco in order to maintain peace and tranquillity there until negotiations can be entered into which will carry the territorial controversy to an equitable and final ending.
The neutral Governments furthermore suggest that it would be most suitable and helpful if both Governments would declare their intention not to send more troops into the Chaco, to withdraw the troops already there, and to give strict and explicit orders that there shall be no friction or disturbance of any sort whatsoever pending the negotiation [Page 752] of the pact of non-aggression. The neutral Governments will be glad to receive such a declaration from the Bolivian Government. A similar suggestion has been made today to the Paraguayan Government.”