724.3415/3123
Memorandum by the Chairman of the Commission of Neutrals (White)
The Bolivian Minister called and asked if we had received answers from Argentina and Chile regarding the proposed nine Power conference. I told him that we had received nothing from Chile and from Argentina only the verbal statement which I had already communicated to him. He said that his Government had answered the League maintaining its regular position that it will submit to arbitration only when the limits of the territory in dispute are determined.
The Minister hoped that the Neutrals would have a meeting and revive the proposal of the geographers to delimit the zone that was incorporated in our suggestion of December 15. I told the Minister that having requested the four neighboring countries to meet with us at any place convenient I thought the Neutral Commission would find it difficult to do anything before we have their replies and, as I had already told him, Argentina had said that her reply would depend upon the nature of the Bolivian answer.
The Minister said that he would telegraph his Government again this afternoon urging them to send at once a conciliatory answer to Argentina.