Office of the Historian

724.3415/2914: Telegram

The Minister in Paraguay (Wheeler) to the Secretary of State

Asunción, March 1, 1933—noon.
[Received 4:18 p.m.]

29. My telegram No. 28, February 28, 1 p.m. Paraguay’s representatives [reservations?] in answer to the proposal were:

1.
If Paraguay retires to the river she will be out of the Chaco while if Bolivia retains a concentration at Ballivián she will be well within the territory and at a point which will constitute a continual threat to the Mennonite Colony, et cetera. On a peace footing it would be possible for Bolivia to maintain there from 3000 to 4000 men which would necessitate Paraguay’s keeping a like force at Puerto Casado. This Government asks therefore that Villa Montes on the western edge of the Chaco be substituted for Ballivián.
2.
As regards peace footing Paraguay asks that the minimum number of troops permitted to each country be decided upon by a neutral expert.
3.
Paraguay desires a committee of investigation which shall determine the responsibility for the present hostilities.

Three would not be pressed if Bolivia declines to favor it. The President declared to me this morning that he will not permit further lengthy negotiations, which have the effect of slowing the fighting at the front, and that if nothing acceptable emerges within a short time this country will break off with the neighbor powers and plunge into a fight to a finish.

Wheeler