Foreign Relations of the United States Diplomatic Papers, 1933, The American Republics, Volume IV

724.3415/2836: Telegram

The Minister in Switzerland (Wilson) to the Secretary of State

Geneva, January 27, 1933—7 p.m.
[Received January 27—3:43 p.m.]

86. Regarding the Chaco dispute. Drummond⁵¹ tells me that a meeting of the Council Committee was held today. The members of the Committee have been anxious to help the Committee of Neutrals and believed that they have shown in every possible way their desire to be of assistance and their willingness to see the dispute handled in any way that would conduce to a peaceful settlement. Now they point out that hostilities seem to have broken out on a large scale since the offer of the Committee of Neutrals, that Bolivia seems convinced of the friendliness of the United States whereas Paraguay seems convinced of the friendliness of the Argentine and that the Paraguayan delegation has actually withdrawn from the discussions in Washington.

Therefore they feel that they must carry out the responsibility which is incumbent on them under the Covenant⁵² and try some other means of putting an end to hostilities. They are therefore contemplating the appointment of a small committee of three members who shall proceed first to the capitals of the two parties to the dispute and then to the theatre of operations if necessary. Their primary function will be to search for and recommend a solution to the conflict but in the event that hostilities are still continuing they will endeavor first to arrange for a cessation of hostilities to be followed by a definitive solution.

In order that there shall be no possibility of mistrust regarding the commission they suggest one member citizen of a small European state, one from the United States and the third from the Argentine. Drummond has consulted the Bolivian representative who states that his Government might have some difficulty in accepting the suggestion in view of a possible conflict of jurisdiction with the Committee of Neutrals. He is at once reporting the matter to La Paz. The Paraguayan representative at once accepted the suggestion and is also advising his Government. Drummond also expects to consult the Argentine Government at once.

Drummond very much hopes that you can see your way to acquiesce in this suggestion as the events have put a burden on the members of the council which they feel strongly. They consider that in order to carry out action on the Manchurian affair⁵³ they must show continued interest and efforts towards a peaceful solution of this dispute.

The Chaco matter is on the agenda of the Council but will not come up before Tuesday afternoon at the earliest. I would appreciate as urgently as possible an expression of your views.

Since dictating above I learn that the United Press is aware of this action of Drummond.

Wilson

51. Sir Eric Drummond, Secretary General of the League of Nations.
52. Treaties, Conventions, etc., Between the United States and Other Powers, 1910–1923 (Washington, Government Printing Office, 1923), vol. iii, p. 3336.
53. See vol. iii, pp. 1 ff.