724.3415/1942: Telegram
The Consul at Geneva (Gilbert) to the Secretary of State
[Received August 3—2:10 p.m.]
228. 1. A communication from the Bolivian Government to the President of the Council in reply to the communication described under paragraph 3 of Consulate’s 226, August 2, 4 p.m.,91 denies allegations made by Paraguay, adduces Bolivia’s historical claims to disputed territory, and completely ignores request regarding Paraguay’s proposal for arbitration and also the request as to what pacific means of settlement Bolivia is ready to accept.
2. I orally communicated to Dufour-Féronce, Acting Secretary General, contents of Department 105, August 2, 5 p.m.92
[Page 222]3. In conversation with me Dufour-Féronce reaffirmed League policy as being opposed to intervention in dispute in view of mediatory action under way by American states. He said that the communications between the League and the disputants were necessary as the League could not wholly “ignore” such a situation between League states. He does not anticipate any League states invoking League action except perhaps one of the disputants. He hopes that neither Bolivia nor Paraguay will take action but mentioned that for obvious reasons it would be improper for any League authority to intimate to them that they should not do so. Should either formally invoke the Covenant93 there would be no recourse but for the Council to act.
4. Dufour-Féronce appreciates fully the desirability of the United States Government being currently informed respecting the League’s relations with Bolivia and Paraguay. He feels that this information should be conveyed to me on a strictly informal basis and regarded as confidential in order to obviate misleading speculations. In a sense the material furnished is not confidential as it is impossible to keep material transmitted to members of the Council from the press.
5. I would appreciate being informed for my guidance Department’s attitude respecting policy set forth in preceding paragraph.