724.3415/4005: Telegram
The Ambassador in Argentina (Weddell) to the Secretary of State
[Received 7:52 p.m.]
122. At the request of the Minister for Foreign Affairs I today met with him and the Brazilian Ambassador at the Brazilian Embassy to discuss the Chaco matter. The Bolivian Minister came in later. The latter said that his Government was in accord with the general principle of arbitration but that the Chaco as defined by Paraguay before the League was not an acceptable basis, intimating strongly [Page 171] that the scope of the arbitration should be first determined if Bolivia is to accept the Argentine formula. He, however, expressed himself as highly pleased with the outlook for peace. His general attitude would seem to be at variance with the statements made to the Department by the Bolivian Minister in Washington (see your No. 73, August 1, 6 p.m.).
The Minister for Foreign Affairs feels that the crux of the matter is the willingness of Bolivia to arbitrate in a broad spirit and he hopes that further pressure can be brought on that Government to this end.
The Minister for Foreign Affairs, the Brazilian Ambassador and I meet again on Wednesday.