724.3415/2904: Telegram
The Minister in Paraguay (Wheeler) to the Secretary of State
[Received 11:20 p.m.]
27. My telegram No. 26, February 25, noon. The points of the ABCP proposal are as follows:
- 1.
- Immediate cessation of hostilities on both sides.
- 2.
- Demilitarization of that portion of the Chaco occupied by the belligerent armies by the retirement of the Bolivian forces to the line Roboré–Ballivián, the troops being divided into eight separate sections which shall not move east thereof, and of the Paraguayan forces to the River Paraguay.
- 3.
- Reduction of the effectives of both armies to peace strength.
- 4.
- Submission to legal arbitration of the basic question with obligation of consulting The Hague Court in case agreement cannot be reached as to the zone to be arbitrated.
Paraguay’s reply will be given February 27th. When replies have been received by both Governments they will be laid before the Neutral Commission. My Brazilian colleague tells me that it is the intention to request the other South American countries and possibly those of Central America also to join in the effort to bring about acceptance of the proposal.
Ayala informs me that Paraguay’s reply will be an acceptance on principle but that he expects the general staff to balk at Ballivián and anticipates that the southern base of the line will have to be modified. I am convinced that he will use all his personal effort to overcome this objection.