724.3415/2186: Telegram
The Paraguayan Minister for Foreign Affairs (Benítez) to the Chairman of the Commission of Neutrals (White)
[Received August 30—2:15 a.m.]
In reply to the suggestion of the Neutrals of this date57 I have to state to Your Excellency that any provisional arrangement on the basis of retention of Paraguayan fortines in the power of Bolivia would constitute a serious danger for our Army and civil populations in that zone and consequently cannot be accepted by us. Bolivia will not accept any solution which is not adverse to Paraguay and during the negotiations will complete preparations for an offensive which are progressing with intense activity. The Neutrals have just seen the irreconcilable attitude of the Bolivian Government and will surely not wish to aid indirectly her warlike plans. Only abandonment of fortines can give us the security required in order to negotiate. We regret we cannot accede to the Neutrals’ request. We must take care of our own security which we consider seriously threatened.