724.3415/2317a: Telegram
The Commission of Neutrals to the Bolivian Minister for Foreign Affairs (Gutiérrez)
In reply to a request for clarification which this Commission of Neutrals addressed to him the delegate of Paraguay at Washington, by instructions of his Government, states to us that the following conditions for the cessation of hostilities would be acceptable to his Government:
“First. The day and the hour of the suspension of hostilities are to be fixed in advance by Neutrals and accepted by the parties.
“Second. The date of the suspension will be fixed with sufficient margin so that it may be possible for the pertinent orders to reach the various detachments of troops, some of which are mobile, or lack a telegraph station.
“Third. Taking as line of reference the meridian 60 degrees from Greenwich, the withdrawal of each army to be made to 70 kilometers on each side of the said meridian, respectively, within the time limit of 3 days, starting from the date on which the suspension of hostilities is ordered.
“Fourth. Immediately after the foregoing withdrawal has been [Page 92] effected, there will be initiated another one for which a time limit of two weeks will be accorded, which withdrawal will consist in the withdrawal of the Bolivian troops to the west of meridian 62½ from Greenwich, and of Paraguayan troops on its fluvial littoral.
“Fifth. Within the same time limit a plan of equitable demobilization to be agreed upon.
[“]The Government of Bolivia has not yet declared itself regarding these conditions, but it is to be hoped that it [will] accept them, as soon as the honorable Commission deigns to bring them to its knowledge. The Government of Bolivia has expressed repeatedly its pacifism, and therefore cannot fail to agree to measures tending both to the suspension of hostilities and to the radical elimination of all possibility of war in the Chaco.”
The Commission of Neutrals fulfills the mission of transmitting them to Your Excellency, and will appreciate your prompt reply.
President of the Commission of Neutrals
Minister of Uruguay
Minister of Colombia
Chargé d’Affaires of Cuba
Chargé d’Affaires of Mexico