724.3415/4401: Telegram
The Chargé in Paraguay (Butler) to the Secretary of State
[Received December 6—9:25 a.m.]
50. Department’s telegram No. 40, December 4, 4 p.m.86 At the suggestion of the Minister for Foreign Affairs I had an interview with the President and him this afternoon. After reading the text of the replies quoted in the Department’s telegram and giving them the information contained in the second, third and fourth from the last paragraphs of the Department’s telegram I asked the President if he could give me any information as to the nature of the reply which the Paraguayan Government intends to make to the League. He told me that the official text of the League proposal had only been received today and that his Government is now considering its reply. The President then made the following observations:
Paraguay does not want to risk being placed in the position of being held responsible for the failure of any peace proposal but the League plan cannot be accepted as it stands. Paraguay will seek modifications of the plan which would make it acceptable. The specific objections are, first, that the plan does not provide for immediate cessation of hostilities and demobilization of forces but merely for an armistice with troops being held under arms during months of negotiations; second, that the conditions for putting an end to the fighting and establishing a neutral zone are impossible of fulfillment; third, that the League procedure cannot be accepted by Paraguay without the ratification of Congress because it involves agreements about arbitration as well as measures relating to a cessation of military operations.
The President stated that he was convinced that Congress would not ratify the League proposal even if it were in session. He said that he thought the procedure was contrary to the Bolivian Constitution also, but that for tactical reasons Bolivia might agree to the League proposal knowing that Paraguay would have to ask for modifications.
The President expressed some concern lest the Department’s proposed replies to the League invitations might be construed by world opinion to indicate that the United States Government is attempting to influence a decision to accept the League proposal. He said that he considered the immediate present an inopportune time for any action on the League plan because of instability of the Government of Bolivia. The situation might change in a week or so he thought. The President also said that Paraguay must ask for an investigation of the responsibility for the war.
[Page 124]I feel sure that the Paraguayan reply to the League will amount to a practical rejection of the plan. It was quite evident that both the President and the Minister for Foreign Affairs are opposed to the proposal in its present form and are convinced that it could not succeed.