724.3415/3466: Telegram
The Ambassador in Argentina (Weddell) to the Acting Secretary of State
[Received 8:47 p.m.]
124. For the President and Phillips from the Secretary of State. Had long conference today with President Justo and Foreign Minister Saavedra Lamas mainly on Chaco problems. They now exhibit genuine interest in the restoration of peace. I presented every possible idea and fact and argument calculated to encourage and induce them to stop the war. They and I are earnestly urging Paraguay to agree to armistice extension of 15 days. They promise to keep in behind Paraguay and urge agreement to arbitrate. I repeatedly stated to them that both the pivots and prestige for an early peace and the responsibility for peace rested with them. I feel that the chances are at least even that gradually the question of security may be worked out and an agreement to arbitrate may be reached. Nothing within the policy of our Government has been neglected here that we know of.
An entirely different matter is the earnest desire of the Argentine Government that we should agree on a reciprocity commercial treaty with them even though it may only embrace a few minor commodities.56 They feel that the moral effect would not only be fine but that it would much strengthen our new program of policies toward Latin America. [Hull.]