724.3415/2109: Telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to the Minister in Paraguay (Wheeler)
35. Your 93, August 19, 8 p.m. received much garbled and not fully worked out as yet. Soler called this morning with a cable from Ayala indicating that he might not be able longer to hold back the army from trying to retake Boquerón. I told him that it is obviously to Paraguay’s advantage to work with the Neutral Commission and the other American nations rather than against them. The Neutral Commission [Page 75] has been holding long sessions considering all phases of the matter and is doing everything possible to bring about a definite cessation of hostilities. He was told that it would seem to be to Paraguay’s advantage to work with the other American countries rather than to start another military adventure now which might well prove disastrous and would certainly overnight cause Paraguay to lose any moral advantage she now has.
Bolivia has told the Neutral Commission that she has some time ago stopped hostilities temporarily. These statements were transmitted textually to Paraguayan Government on August 10. If Paraguay has any information to the contrary, full details should be sent to the Neutral Commission at once in order that the Neutral Commission can take the matter up with Bolivia. It was Paraguay’s failure to work through the Commission early in July that greatly aggravated the situation. It is hoped that you can persuade the Paraguayan Government that now is the time to exercise patience and calm, attempt to quiet and not to inflame the war spirit, and to cooperate with the Neutrals and through them with all the other nations of America.
In this connection it is important to know just what solution Paraguay would accept in order that the Neutrals may know better how to handle the matter in discussions with Bolivia. Would Paraguay agree not to reoccupy the three forts taken by Bolivia if Bolivia should agree to evacuate them, thus establishing a neutral zone? Would Paraguay agree to having observers sent up to see that the neutral zone is respected? It is naturally hardly likely that Bolivia will agree to Paraguay policing this zone alone. Is the suggestion you make in your telegram under acknowledgment that the Paraguayan police force be used in the neutral zone or only in the Mennonite colony? If the neutral zone is policed by both countries further conflicts will inevitably occur. As much information as you can send regarding possible solutions acceptable to Paraguay will be most helpful.