724.3415/4415: Telegram
The Consul at Geneva (Gilbert) to the Secretary of State
[Received 10:45 a.m.]
381. Avenol informed me late last evening that the Chaco Advisory Committee would meet on Wednesday, December 12, instead of December 20 and that he would send me an informal letter inviting me “to [Page 128] be present if I desired in order conveniently to be informed of the proceedings”. Knowing the situation I wish to make clear that in this Avenol did not in his view place any strained construction on the final paragraph of my communication to him of December 7 (Department’s 126, December 6, 6 p.m.) but rather to meet the suggestion expressed therein by the best means at his disposal and in a manner to him entirely normal. I may add that I could undoubtedly arrange to have such a communication worded in any way that might be desired.
I immediately replied that I preferred that he not bring this question forward at this time. He readily acquiesced. Thus if desired the matter may rest at that point. I nevertheless feel it desirable to acquaint the Department with all of the pertinent factors of the situation here in order that in a matter of policy of this character the case may be considered on its merits.
- (a)
- —I feel that the considerations which I discussed in my despatch 1087, political, November 1688 are in general applicable. The special conditions are however,
- (b)
- —The extreme lucidity of our last two communications on the Chaco respecting the American technical position vis-à-vis the League has most helpfully cleared the atmosphere here and rendered misinterpretation of our position virtually impossible.
- (c)
- —Our constructive approval of certain League actions in this matter renders this somewhat of a special case. Our physical presence in the Committee on however informal a basis is regarded here as having psychological values favorable to satisfactory achievement and thus is the course we are looked to to follow rather than the opposite.
- (d)
- —Latin-American delegates, all of whom I felt it sound policy personally to cultivate, have expressed the hope or taken it for granted that we would be present at these deliberations in which they plan to play the leading role.
- (e)
- —The Brazilian delegate has informed me that he has reason to believe that his Government will instruct him to be present. If this be the case it would present the aspect of disparity in our attitudes.
- (f)
- —Experience has clearly demonstrated to me the very real difficulty of obtaining sound information when not actually present at proceedings. Information furnished me by the Secretariat through any arrangement is either pro forma with all of the fine points missing or elements presumably felt to be disadvantageous to the League are omitted. I have customarily resorted to checking such information by conversations with delegates which I have endeavored to make appear as casual as possible. But this method is at best unsatisfactory and in it is a certain lack of dignity in respect of a question in which we are so evidently interested.
I fully appreciate the differences in the status of the Committee depending on the acceptance of the report by the parties. Certain of [Page 129] the factors which I have enumerated apply however in both cases. Please instruct at least for guidance.
- Not printed.↩