724.3415/2897: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Minister in Paraguay (Wheeler)
7. Tour 25, February 21, 11 a.m. Department has not taken any steps whatsoever in matter of transit of Bolivian munitions through Chile. Upon receipt of your telegram inquiry was made of Embassy in Santiago whether Ambassador had without instructions from Department and without its knowledge taken any action in the premises. His reply has now been received stating that no action has been taken by him. Department has had reports from Embassy in Chile in the past that British Ambassador made representations to Chile to permit British munitions to pass through Chilean territory to Bolivia. Ambassador at Santiago states that reports in your telegram under acknowledgment probably refer to inquiries made by British Ambassador.
On February 13th Bolivian Minister called at Department and requested on behalf of his Government that this Government take some action in the matter. He was told that our efforts in the past in the Chaco matter had been directed toward finding a peaceful settlement and that we would not now take any action with a view to having arms supplied to one of the contesting powers. He was also told that sentiment in this country is against wars and against supplying munitions for wars and that there is now a resolution pending before the House of Representatives regarding shipment of arms, permitting President to prohibit export of arms from United States to warring countries. The resolution has already passed the Senate. He was told that if we had the authority which this resolution would give us we would stop shipments of arms to both Bolivia and Paraguay and we were therefore not in a position to ask Chile to let supplies into Bolivia.
Copy of memorandum of this conversation was sent to you in Department’s instruction 121 of February 17.58
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