724.3415/2274a: Circular telegram
The Secretary of State to the Diplomatic Representatives in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, and Peru
The Neutrals invited the representatives in Washington of Argentina, Brazil, Chile and Peru to meet with them this afternoon and inquired whether their Governments individually or collectively had any plan in connection with the Chaco. All except the Chilean stated they were without instructions whatsoever from their Governments. The Chilean had a cable from his Government stating the desire to cooperate with the Neutrals but requested a formal invitation to do so. The neighboring representatives were asked whether they would collaborate with the Neutrals in drawing up a joint message to Bolivia and Paraguay and to ask their Governments to [Page 200] authorize them to take action with the Neutrals in the future without the delay involved in consulting their Governments. The Neutral representatives have all been doing this and prompt action has therefore been possible. In view of the urgency of the situation, with fighting going on in the Chaco, action of this sort would be much more effective than if it were necessary for each to consult with his Government and any verbal changes in any message agreed upon had to be discussed and referred to the Governments a second or more times. All were in agreement that this would be the most effective form of cooperation but did not wish to suggest it to their Governments. The Neutrals then gave each of the representatives of the neighboring countries a memorandum drafted and written during the meeting in the following terms:
The Neutrals have always felt that cooperation of the neighboring countries is useful in the work which is being carried on in order to avoid war between Bolivia and Paraguay. Persisting in this thought and considering that such cooperation would give good results if it is carried out by a sole source in homogeneous and simultaneous form, they formally invite the Governments of Argentina, Brazil, Chile and Peru, through their diplomatic representatives in Washington to collaborate with them in the form just expressed.
The Neutrals do not think that this will work any confusion of function. They desire for the Commission the cooperation of the neighboring countries in their plans and deliberations and in the hope of obtaining it declare that they will cordially appreciate it, and in view of the grave present situation of the Bolivian-Paraguayan conflict, they will be pleased to receive at the earliest possible moment suggestions or plans of the neighboring countries or of one or more of them.