Office of the Historian

724.3415/2321: Telegram

The Bolivian Minister for Foreign Affairs (Gutiérrez) to the Chairman of the Commission of Neutrals (White)65

[Translation]
La Paz, September 22, 1932.
[Received 2 p.m.]

The Government of Bolivia has received the cable note of the 21st instant in which the representatives of the neutral countries transcribe to it the clarifications of the delegate of Paraguay regarding the bases for the cessation of hostilities which we (have) already rejected by note of the 16th. In the name of my Government I have to state the following:

  • First. Points 1 and 2 of those clarifications have the manifest intention of protracting the negotiations while awaiting some Paraguayan military success.
  • Second. The datum that the field of operations covers hundreds of kilometers and that it is not possible to give immediate orders [Page 93] which would reach the various detachments of troops is not in agreement with the truth. The points of contact and combat are limited to 70 kilometers in the sectors of Boquerón and Agua Rica, whence news comes to Asunción within a few minutes. In the rest of the extensive line there are enormous vacant stretches without any contact of troops. In reality Paraguay is giving a false impression to the neutrals, trying to confuse their judgment with the intention of gaining time and not suspending hostilities despite her apparent desire to do so.
  • Third. The withdrawal of our troops to 70 kilometers from meridian 60 is another condition with a purpose analogous to the former. What Paraguay is seeking by the withdrawal of our fortines and troops up to that limit is to remain practically mistress of the Chaco. Her withdrawal up to the river does not constitute disoccupation since her civil possessions remain up to about meridian 60. Furthermore, mistress of the river and of railways which penetrate into the interior of the Chaco, her demobilization is nominal, she being able at any moment to concentrate her forces with great facility and swiftness. The withdrawal of our fortines would mean for Bolivia the abandonment of the Chaco since they being located in the arid and waterless part, our civil positions are reduced on those points. In this way Paraguay would follow her dilatory policy in order to effect no agreement on the final solution of the dispute.
  • Fourth. We confirm our note of the 16th instant.

Julio A. Gutiérrez
  1. Copy transmitted to the Paraguayan Minister for Foreign Affairs by the Commission of Neutrals in telegram dated September 22.↩