724.3415/2425: Telegram
The Minister in Bolivia (Feely) to the Secretary of State
[Received 12:40 p.m.]
104. Ex-President Montes, now President of the Central Bank, returned on October 13 from a 3 weeks’ visit to the Bolivian positions in the Chaco, and at the meeting held on that day at the Palace, was instrumental in temporarily preventing an open break between [Page 103] the Government and the Army, although he apparently could not convince the President of the necessity of organizing a coalition and left the meeting.
Invited to secret plenary session of Congress yesterday he described the situation of the Bolivian troops in the Chaco as appalling, and declared that he was opposed to the prosecution of a war for which Bolivia was entirely unprepared, although he warned that internal disturbances would only make the situation worse, and urged support of the administration in spite of its errors in the past.
His remarks made a deep impression and reflect the sentiment of a large sector of Bolivian opinion, which for lack of leadership and fear of criticism has not made itself felt up to the present time. Under the circumstances and because of the critical internal situation I am of the opinion that the Government would seize upon any pretext to extricate itself from the dilemma and that forcible measures by the neutrals would be welcomed as offering such a pretext although there would be a storm of protest.
The feeling against Argentina is so strong that the inclusion of Argentina in any concerted action of the American countries would prejudice Bolivia against it.