724.3415/2488: Telegram
The Minister in Bolivia (Feely) to the Secretary of State
[Received 11:55 a.m.]
116. As the resignation of the present Cabinet is already in the hands of the President pending results of Tejada’s efforts to organize a coalition Cabinet under the paragraph [parliamentary?’] system, I consider it advisable to delay action on the Department’s telegram No. 47, November 5, 3 p.m., until the Cabinet situation is defined, because the possibility of obtaining definite replies to the first two questions will be greatly increased if he is successful.
As to the last question, I feel sure that Bolivia will not now voluntarily consent to such withdrawal because Muñoz is her key position in the Chaco, and all the terrain and forts to the west of that position would be untenable if Muñoz were lost or given up. An offensive with Muñoz as a base is planned for March or April of next year, but I question whether the financial situation will permit of maintaining her present forces for so many months.