724.3415/2997: Telegram

The Minister in Bolivia (Feely) to the Secretary of State

28. Referring to Department’s telegram 8, April 6, 1 p.m. I feel it my duty before taking action to inform the Department that in my opinion Bolivia will not accept a withdrawal purely of her reservation as to the prior delimitation of the arbitral zone nor a retirement of troops to Ballivian and Robore although some concrete suggestion for a modification of both reservations might have more favorable consideration.

In the opinion of the Bolivian Government the negotiations undertaken by the neighboring countries have been carried on in such an irregular way that any hope of a successful outcome has been seriously prejudiced if not eliminated and the absence of Brazil and Peru from the negotiations at this juncture serves to strengthen this conviction.

Under these circumstances I feel that the result will be negative, but will follow the Department’s instructions unless contrary instructions are received today.

Feely