724.3415/4252: Telegram
The Ambassador in Brazil (Gibson) to the Secretary of State
[Received 8:40 p.m.]
277. My 268, October 8, 4 p.m.49a Telegram to Brazilian Embassy in Santiago sent yesterday as follows:
“The Brazilian Government, complying with the urgent appeal of the American Government, decided on July 14th last to support the conciliation formula proposed by Saavedra Lamas, on the understanding that it would take no initiative and that after acceptance of the formula by the belligerent countries the other countries of the group of nine would be invited to participate in the conciliation conference. Therefore, without the effective collaboration of the Government of Chile, nothing could be done. We could not have thought of going ahead without being able to count upon the collaboration of Chile, which we considered a sine qua non for the final success of our efforts for the restoration of peace on this continent.
The selection of Buenos Aires as the seat of the conference was quite natural in view of the fact that the preliminary negotiations now under way were initiated by the Argentine Minister for Foreign Affairs.
With reference to the League intervention in the subject, our position is perfectly clear. We were sounded by Avenol as to whether we would accept membership on a commission set up under League auspices. We replied on September 1st that, Brazil not being a member of the League, we did not desire to accept a place in the committee, and we also thought that the moment was inopportune for any intervention on the part of the League. We have not modified our attitude in this respect nor do we expect to do so in the future.
Apart from the League of Nations, we are still disposed to lend our efforts in the noble work of putting an end to the inglorious Chaco War and to attain this objective we hope that we can always count with [upon?] the decided and loyal support of Minister Cruchaga.
We can affirm that the Government of the United States pursues the same course.
You are instructed to furnish the substance of this telegram to Minister Cruchaga.”
- Not printed.↩