724.3415/1965: Telegram
The Minister in Bolivia (Feely) to the Secretary of State
[Received August 6—1:52 a.m.]
49. The Minister of Foreign Affairs sent for me tonight at 7 p.m., and with considerable anxiety requested that I use my good offices to obtain a modification of the neutrals’ proposal, for a suspension of hostilities, urging that it be based on present possessions rather than on those of June 1st. He explained that the Bolivian public and especially the opposition party were objecting strenuously to the cessation of hostilities, and if the agreement implied even a temporary return to Paraguay of the three fortines taken by Bolivia, he feared serious internal disturbances or worse.
He said that he had sounded out the Government of Uruguay, Chile and Peru and that those Governments agreed with the Bolivian thesis, viz. present possessions.
I expressed the fear that it would hardly be possible to modify the proposal, inasmuch as it had already been accepted by Paraguay, but promised to inform my Government. He then expressed the hope that Mr. White, in whom he had the utmost confidence, might find some solution.
I regard the internal situation as critical, and can confirm the Minister’s statements as to the danger to the Government.