724.3415/2259: Telegram

The Ambassador in Chile (Culbertson) to the Secretary of State

201. The representatives of the four neutrals sent the following telegram to their Governments today:

“At an impromptu meeting of the representatives of the neighboring countries and of Cuba, Colombia, Mexico and Uruguay with the Minister for Foreign Affairs, conversations proceeded on the Chaco problem, there being agreement that the crisis has reached its climax, and some thinking that war already is a fact.

As a result of the conversations we have received the impression that the four neighboring countries are in a position to attain an immediate formula to avert war; but we also believe that the neighboring countries would decide to intervene only in the case of a formal invitation from the Neutral Commission.

If this invitation should be issued, the neighboring countries would adopt the measures that they deem conducive to make concrete that formula which, once agreed upon among themselves, they would propose to the Neutral Commission.”

I was not present at the meeting referred to. I gather from informal conversations that the formula mentioned in the telegram is that the neighboring countries would inform Bolivia and Paraguay that they will not be permitted to go to war but I do not believe that anything concrete as to procedure has been agreed upon.

Culbertson