724.3415/3155
Memorandum by the Chairman of the Commission of Neutrals (White)
Mr. Cohen9 called and showed me copies of communications exchanged between Bolivia and Chile. He also told me that he had a telegram from Señor Cruchaga saying that while the Bolivian answer was considered perfectly satisfactory the Chilean Government did not contemplate taking any action in the matter at this time. His Government thought it best to let the League have a free hand and see what they could do.
I told Mr. Cohen that I was disappointed to hear this; that I had thought it would be better for the nine countries to meet together and support the League proposal because otherwise there would be an attempt to play off one group against the other; Bolivia would undoubtedly tell the League that the matter was still pending before the Neutral and neighboring countries, and the League effort would fail. Mr. Cohen said that he expected the League efforts to fail and added that he understood Argentina was taking the same position and was not doing anything at this time. I told Mr. Cohen that such was unfortunately the case and that I hoped it was not from any desire to see the League efforts fail; that I still hoped it would be possible for all the countries to get together and support the League proposal. He said that he would advise Mr. Cruchaga in this sense.
- Chilean Chargé.↩