Foreign Relations of the United States Diplomatic Papers, 1933, The American Republics, Volume IV

724.3415/3264: Telegram (part air)

The Consul at Geneva (Gilbert) to the Secretary of State

Geneva, August 4, 1933—10 a.m.
[Received August 5—6:52 a.m.]

178. Consulate’s 177, July 27, 4 p.m. The following is a summary of the report adopted by the Council yesterday.²⁶

1. Recalls that the Covenant is the only international instrument by which the two parties are legally bound for the settlement of the present conflict and in view of the “formal relinquishment of the matter by third parties it now devolves upon the League of Nations alone to seek a rapid settlement and to select the most appropriate means to that end”.

2. The Council cannot consider the proposal concerning action of limitrophe powers unless the procedure would have the effect not merely of not delaying but also of expediting the settlement.

3. Notes that the procedure suggested presents certain advantages since it was proposed by the two parties by joint agreement and “it associates with our efforts as our mandatories the neighboring powers who after the two parties, have the most direct interest in the reestablishment of peace”.

4. Trusts that the powers will now find the conditions favorable “for seeking a solution on the basis of the Covenant.”

5. Decides to ask the Governments of Argentina, Brazil, Chile, and Peru whether they accept this mission “on the basis of the present report”; directs to fix the date to communicate the report to them for early reply and to request in case they accept that they keep the Council informed of their action. To this end the Committee of Three is instructed to keep in touch with the four Governments.

6. The Council’s report of July 3 retains in full its executive force and that League remains seized of the question.

After the adoption of this report the Council empowered the Committee of Three, in case the four Governments were unwilling to accept this mission, to despatch the League Commission already constituted at the earliest possible moment.

League officials seem to have no definite information as to the probable attitude of the Governments of the limitrophe powers towards this proposal. There is a feeling current here, however, that Brazil in particular and perhaps Argentina would be inclined not to accept any proposal which places their action under mandate of the League.

Gilbert

26. See League of Nations, Official Journal, pp. 1577–1593.