724.3415/2717b: Telegram
The Commission of Neutrals to the Ministers for Foreign Affairs of Argentina, Brazil, Chile, and Peru
In reply to the proposal of the Neutral Commission of December 1583 the Government of Bolivia stated84 that it accepted in principle the main points of the proposal as a basis of discussion to arrive at an arrangement which might assure peace and that in the course of the negotiations either party might bring forward its observations in order to safeguard its rights. The representative of Bolivia, in consequence, stated that he was ready to renew on that basis the negotiations under the good offices of the Neutral Commission.
The Paraguayan Government stated85 that it considered the neutral proposal unacceptable because it left the Bolivian army in the middle of the Chaco while the Paraguayan army was obliged to abandon the Chaco completely. Paraguay also considered that the proposal did not give guarantees to avoid new incidents nor for the solution of the litigation. The Neutrals pointed out to the Paraguayan Government that Article 8 of proposal definitely stated that nothing in arrangement proposed affects in any shape or form juridical position or the rights of either party and that Neutral Commission was not operating as a tribunal nor deciding regarding alleged rights [Page 219] nor examining titles, which were questions within competency of arbitral tribunal mentioned in Article 10 of proposal. Neutrals pointed out they were simply indicating an honorable and decorous procedure in order to terminate immediately hostilities and to submit the Chaco question to arbitration and that the proposal states clearly that the lines established for the withdrawal of the forces and for the policing of the territory are merely devices to this end and do not change or affect in any manner the juridical status of the parties. The Paraguayan Government insisted that no real guarantees were given. Neutral Commission pointed out that Paraguayan Government four months ago accepted the line of June 1st for the cessation of hostilities and pointed cut how contradictory now is Paraguay’s position considering insufficient the withdrawal of Bolivian forces beyond the Ballivián-Vitriones line. Proposal of December 15 offers Paraguay a guarantee of security much more effective than line of June 1st, namely an evacuation of a much more considerable portion of the Chaco, reenforced by the presence of a neutral commission and by the obligation of immediate arbitration. Paraguay persisted in this point of view and withdrew temporarily its delegates.
Proposal of December 15 has been recognized by your Excellency’s Government and by all the other Governments of America, as well as by the League of Nations,86 as being a just and honorable one. It is inadmissible, therefore, that a peaceful solution of this conflict cannot be found. To continue fighting when such a fair basis of negotiation and settlement is offered will be condemned most severely by history. Proposal offers a separation of troops to such a great distance that they cannot possibly come into contact. In this connection it will be noted that the Paraguayan Government on September 16 itself suggested the withdrawal of its troops to the Paraguay River, a suggestion identical to that contained in the neutral proposal. Provision is made for the policing of the territory which prevents clashes between the two forces. The lines established both for the policing of the territory and for the withdrawal of the forces are definitely stated to be devices for bringing about and maintaining peace and preventing hostilities and do not affect the juridical situation. Provision is also made for taking the matter to arbitration on a procedure which, when once agreed upon, will proceed automatically to its solution.
The Bolivian Government expresses its readiness to discuss a solution on this basis. The Paraguayan Government has withdrawn its delegation temporarily. In these circumstances the Neutral Commission [Page 220] desires to know what steps Your Excellency’s Government is prepared to take in order to bring about peace between those two countries. If the countries of this hemisphere will work together, peace can be reestablished. There is no justification for continuation of fighting and the loss of innocent lives when a just and fair way out is offered. The Neutral Commission will very much appreciate a prompt reply from Your Excellency. A similar request is being made of the other Governments bordering on Bolivia and Paraguay.
President