724.3415/3122: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Minister in Switzerland (Wilson), at Geneva
105. Your 182, May 18, 9 p.m. Argentina and Chile were much annoyed at a note from Bolivia and stated that they would not take [Page 330] any further action in the Chaco matter for the present. At Bolivia’s request the Neutral Commission asked the four neighbors to join it to see if nine countries could cooperate on a single program. No answers have been received but the Argentine Government orally advised us, through Ambassador here, that if Bolivia would send a conciliatory reply to the latest Argentine and Chilean notes Argentina would then be ready to cooperate. If not, Argentina contemplated breaking diplomatic relations with Bolivia. Argentina asked the good offices of the Department in trying to settle the matter.
Department took the matter up with the Bolivian Minister here and through the Legation in La Paz and answers were sent yesterday to Argentina and Chile. The excerpts received from Legation in La Paz indicate that the note was conciliatory and should be satisfactory. A press report from Santiago, not yet published, indicates that the Chilean Government considers note most satisfactory and is willing to cooperate. Department has taken matter up again this morning with Argentine and Brazilian Ambassadors to get their cooperation and has stated that what we have in mind would be to have the nine countries forming the Neutral Commission and neighboring group unite in supporting League proposal so that there will be a united front by all peace organizations. If this can be accomplished there would seem to be more chance for success. Department will keep you informed of further developments in the matter.