724.3415/3415: Telegram
The Minister in Paraguay (Nicholson) to the Acting Secretary of State45
[Received 9:25 p.m.]
109. The League Commission left last night for Formosa whence they will proceed by railway to La Paz. The Commission returned to Asunción from the Chaco November 28th having visited Bahia Negra, Puerto Casado, Pinasco, and Paraguayan general headquarters; the military members made a tour of the front; the civilian members visited the Mennonite colonies; and a member visited Co-rumba and the Bolivian port of Puerto Juarez on the upper Paraguay.
On the 29th the Commission had another long meeting with the President and his principal advisers at which the President, who is as expressed “more resilient” than at the last meeting, reiterated Paraguay’s earnest desire for peace, her willingness to accept unrestricted arbitration, and her insistence on adequate security.
From sources close to the Commission I learn that they were much impressed by what they saw of the economic development of the Chaco; they found that the morale and condition of the Paraguayan troops was very good, that Paraguay has achieved substantial successes in the recent fighting, and that she is at the moment definitely Bolivia’s superior in the field. The Commission look with disfavor on Bolivia’s pretensions to Bahía Negra; soundings at Puerto Juarez apparently disprove the Bolivian contention that the channel is rocky and cannot be deepened, and the Commission are disposed to consider Puerto Juarez a sufficient outlet for Bolivia on the Paraguay River.
Paraguay’s case has been skillfully presented to the Commission, who depart, I believe, feeling that Paraguay has been frank, reasonable, cordial, and consistent.
The Commission will probably return to Montevideo from La Paz.