724.3415/3651: Telegram
The Minister in Switzerland (Wilson) to the Secretary of State
[Received April 30—10:30 a.m.]
237. 1. Alvarez del Vayo, Chairman of the Chaco Commission, called this morning and stated that he wanted to tell me how much he was indebted to the Secretary of State for the valuable counsel and assistance that the Secretary had given him in South America. At the same time he told me that as soon as there was available a copy of the Commission’s report on which they were now working he would hand it to me. I shall not enter into details of Del Vayo’s conversation as I understand from him that he went over the situation in detail with Weddell who reported from Buenos Aires.
2. Costa du Rels, the Bolivian delegate, called immediately subsequently to put me in touch with what he knew regarding the report and stated that the Bolivian Minister at Washington had urged him [Page 66] to give me particulars about the matter as seen from Geneva for the information of the Secretary of State.
3. Recently Havas has carried several despatches from Washington which purport to show a considerable interest on the part of our Government in the Chaco matter as well as a possibility that the American Government might concern itself more directly with the settlement of this dispute. Members of the Secretariat have already inquired entirely informally as to whether this indicated that the Government of the United States contemplated separating its action from that of the Council. Normally I would take advantage of the presence of the Commission here to get whatever information I could to report to you. If, however, there is any question of a departure by us from our policy of cooperation with League efforts for the settlement of the dispute I should query the desirability of taking any steps locally. Would appreciate advice.