724.3415/2780: Telegram
The Ambassador in Argentina (Bliss) to the Secretary of State
[Received 8:05 p.m.]
7. Your 3, January 10, 1 p.m.33 Minister for Foreign Affairs this morning read me note dated January 2 he had sent to Ministers for Foreign Affairs of Brazil, Chile and Peru. He read same note this [Page 255] morning to Chilean Chargé d’Affaires who had not previously seen it. Note states that the continuation of the unfortunate conflict between Bolivia and Paraguay, despite the plausible efforts of the Neutral Commission, to which the Argentine Government has given its cooperation up to Commission’s last proposal and the withdrawal of the Paraguayan representative which “puts an end to the good offices in their legitimate limits”, prompted the Argentine Government to explore in the conflicting countries the possibility for a way to peace, using the wealth of antecedents and formulas in the Argentine Foreign Office growing out of the conference in Buenos Aires in 1927 and 1928 and intensifying its efforts through confidential agents and negotiations to find a possibility of concrete solutions offering prospects of acceptance. These negotiations having developed satisfactorily, the Argentine Government, bearing in mind the agreement of August 6,34 now apprises the neighboring countries, hoping shortly to present matters in concrete form for concerted action on the part of all the countries of America and the Neutral Commission and expresses the hope that nothing will be done to frustrate the noble motive which inspires us all.
Though it is inferred that note sent direct to Chilean Minister for Foreign Affairs was delayed in delivery Minister is evidently annoyed with him for acting independently and said that Chilean formula is not acceptable to contending parties. Although he answered my question that he found sympathetic attitude to his soundings he added that problem was most difficult because of the many conflicting political currents in both countries and that there was no use in making any more proposals until acceptable formula was found.
The impression made on me … is that Argentine Minister for Foreign Affairs will try to block any proposal not his own.
Incidentally, I learn that jurisconsult referred to in my 6, January 10, 7 p.m., was his confidential agent at Asunción. Informant had heard his mission was not successful.
- See footnote 18, p. 248.↩
- Foreign Relations, 1932, vol. v, p. 168.↩