724.3415/3383: Telegram (part air)

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

282. Consulate’s 278, October 31, 4 p.m.

1.
On October 29 the Chairman of the Council Committee on the Chaco dispute cabled the Bolivian Minister of Foreign Affairs requesting the name and rank of the Bolivian representative appointed [Page 366] as assessor to Chaco Commission. The following reply was received under date of October 31:

“With reference to your cablegram of yesterday the Bolivian Government will accredit its representative to the Commission as soon as the Council has given a decision in accordance with the points of view set forth in our delegation’s note of October 13th, meanwhile Bolivia will maintain at Montevideo an observer who will have no official relations with the Commission.”

2.
Furthermore, I learn from the Secretariat that the Council Committee has just received a reply from Costa du Rels to its note of October 27 summarized in the Consulate’s telegram under reference. The text of this reply is in process of translation and is not yet available, but a competent League official informs me that it in no way changes the situation. Also I understand from him that though it will be incumbent upon the Council eventually to take official cognizance of the matter, probably nothing will be done at Geneva for the present, the policy being barring unforeseen developments to wait until the Commission has established contact with the situation and has reported its impressions.
Gilbert