724.3415/2398: Telegram
The Minister in Paraguay (Wheeler) to the Secretary of State
[Received 6:06 p.m.]
126. The Government here considered that a neutral military commission, whatever the facilities given it, unless retirement of troops took place, would find it impossible on account of the geography of the Chaco, its great forest, wide waterless areas and great distances [Page 101] between the fortines of either side, to carry out successfully its purpose. Encounters might occur “anywhere at any time and the commission would have to be omnipresent. In case of a mutual retirement, however, it could by a mere air tour of the fortínes ascertain that they were deserted. The President who has just returned from Boquerón expressed regret to me today that the neutrals did not seek advice on this point by asking of one of the A. B. C. Powers, say, of Argentina, a confidential report from its Military Attaché here who with other Military Attaches has been observing operations at the front.
Bolivia’s reservation from the field of arbitration of the entire Chaco except the small portion covered by the Hayes Award has confirmed this Government in its conviction that no peaceful agreement can be arrived at with her and that Paraguay has no choice but to continue fighting till she is in another mind.