724.3415/2199: Telegram
The Paraguayan Minister for Foreign Affairs (Benítez) to the Chairman of the Commission of Neutrals (White)
[Received 1:10 p.m.]
In reply to Your Excellency’s telegram I must repeat to the Commission of Neutrals that in not accepting the truce on the basis of the retention of our fortines in the possession of Bolivia my country believes that it is exercising a legitimate right in guarding its security, threatened by the concentration of Bolivian troops, which continues to be intensified in that sector. We have no guarantee that the truce cannot be utilized by Bolivia to complete her mobilization and to realize her military objective which consists in overcoming our resistance [Page 85] and reaching the Paraguay river. We cannot understand what reasons can be acceptable to the Neutrals which Bolivia can adduce for continuing to hold three fortines, as it is consequently Bolivia who is thus obstructing the work of conciliation. Paraguay has conformed to the declaration of August 3rd and the basis of August 5th, having received expression of the gratitude of the neutrals which could not be changed today into condemnation of her conduct, which consists precisely in remaining faithful to the proposal of the Commission of Neutrals. My country has no intention of altering its conduct, but it cannot renounce means for its own protection. We believe that the massing of troops and the occupation of positions in places dangerous to our defense are real acts of hostility which cannot be carried out with impunity by Bolivia under the truce. Bolivia is counting upon a month for the completion of her organization. In 2 months the rainy season will arrive, as is admitted. Paraguay will not oppose the truce once de facto security has been obtained not subject to contingencies of diplomatic negotiations which can be broken at any time in spite of the good will of the neutrals.