Office of the Historian

724.3415/2855: Telegram

The Ambassador in Chile (Culbertson) to the Secretary of State

Santiago, February 3, 1933—5 p.m.
[Received 8:11 p.m.]

22. Text of published document signed by Foreign Ministers at Mendoza being telegraphed to Chilean Embassy in Washington today.

The two Foreign Ministers signed a secret document relating to the Chaco question.55 It provides,

  • 1st. For the submission to arbitral decision in its entirety the question of the Chaco, the tribunal to be established within a month. If there should be differences with reference to the zone to be submitted to arbitration these would be submitted to the Permanent Court of International Justice for an advisory opinion;
  • 2d. The parties as a consequence of the preceding would declare hostilities terminated;
  • 3d. The parties would agree to demobilize and to return to their peacetime military establishments;
  • 4th. The parties would retire their troops to the Rio Paraguay for Paraguay and to the line Bolivian [Ballivián?] for Bolivia; that is, the line indicated by the neutrals at Washington.

Tomorrow, Chile and Argentina will consult with Brazil and Peru in accordance with their understanding of August 6th, 1932,56 providing for joint action.

If the four countries agree they will sound out Bolivia and Paraguay, this being important according to the Minister for Foreign [Page 269] Affairs since both countries have been inclined to resent pressure. If preliminary answers are favorable the four neighboring countries will communicate their formula to the Commission of Neutrals for its approval, in which event the formula will be presented simultaneously by the nine powers to the belligerents and if they accept arbitration they will draw up proceedings.

The Minister for Foreign Affairs stated that a meeting of the Presidents of Argentina, Chile, and Brazil is under serious consideration and he regards it as an important gesture in connection with the settlement of the Chaco question. He added that Saavedra Lamas is no longer opposed to the Neutral Commission and that in his opinion his reputed anti-American feelings have been exaggerated.

Repeated to Buenos Aires.

Culbertson
  1. The Chaco question was but one of several subjects discussed at Mendoza by the Argentine and Chilean Ministers for Foreign Affairs.↩
  2. Foreign Relations, 1932, vol. v, p. 168.↩