724.3415/1712: Telegram
The Ambassador in Peru (Dearing) to the Secretary of State
[Received 5 p.m.]
52. Department’s circular April 13, 6 p.m. See my telegram No. 48, April 11, 4 p.m.1 Foreign Minister informed me this morning he had received full information from Peruvian Ambassador in Washington and that the Paraguayan Minister here is much alarmed concerning the situation in the Chaco. The Paraguayan Minister himself told me that the situation was intense and that with the troops facing each other each side was [afraid?] to retire for fear the other would advance, that almost any movements excited suspicion and gave rise to exchange of shots and that he did not know what would happen. Here our conversation was interrupted.
The press has given practically no attention to Chaco situation [Page 140] for last few days. Foreign Minister informs me however that the Peruvian press and public take it for granted that no real clash will occur and do not regard the situation as being especially serious. He indicated he took a somewhat braver view himself, telling me the Peruvian Ambassador in Washington has orders to cooperate with the Chilean, Brazilian and Argentine Ambassadors to avoid a conflict. He added that in addition to the effort in Washington the Peruvian Government would be prepared to make a direct appeal to the two Governments to avoid a conflict and in case of necessity that the Peruvian Government would do any other thing it can to keep peace and aid a settlement.
- Not printed.↩