724.3415/3419: Telegram
The Minister in Paraguay (Nicholson) to the Acting Secretary of State
[Received 2:35 p.m.]
110. I sent the following telegram yesterday to the American Delegation at Montevideo:
“December 4, 3 p.m. For the Secretary. I had a conversation this morning with President Ayala during the course of which I referred to press despatches from Montevideo which suggested the possibility of the Conference considering the Chaco question. Ayala said that he would welcome any support which the Conference might give to the League of Nations Commission but that he earnestly hoped that the Conference would do nothing to make the Commission’s task more difficult.
The personnel and the prompt and businesslike methods of the Commission made an excellent impression on the Paraguayan Government. I think that it would be most unfortunate if anything were done by the Conference to divert attention from the Commission’s efforts or to weaken its authority. However, some gesture by the Conference indicative of confidence in a settlement through the League might serve a good purpose. Although Ayala is clearly satisfied with his military position there is no doubt of his desire for peace or the sincerity of his willingness to submit question to arbitration.”