725.34/35a: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Chile (Sevier)
66. The Department is advised by the Argentine Ambassador here and by the American Ambassador in Buenos Aires that Dr. Saavedra Lamas has sent an identic telegram to the Ministers for Foreign Affairs of Paraguay and Chile which stated that he had invited to the Foreign Office jointly with the American and Brazilian Ambassadors, the diplomatic representatives of Chile and Paraguay in order that the three former might express to the latter on behalf of their Governments profound regret at the break in relations between Chile [Page 313] and Paraguay; and that Dr. Saavedra Lamas had been entrusted with the mission of requesting the Chilean and Paraguayan Ministers for Foreign Affairs to express their agreement to the reestablishment of normal diplomatic relations, maintaining their respective ordinary diplomatic representatives and leaving these representatives to discuss amicably questions relating to neutrality. A translation of the last paragraph of the telegram so sent by Dr. Saavedra Lamas reads as follows:
“The aforementioned governments of Brazil, the United States and Argentina at the same time will declare, upon the receipt of the reply which I permit myself to request, that they hope for Chile’s contribution in the pacific efforts which are being made to end the Chaco war, on a basis of mutual confidence and sentiments of solidarity.”
In a cable just received by the Argentine Embassy in Washington, the contents of which have been communicated to the Department, this Government is informed that the President of Paraguay has definitely assured the Argentine Government that the formula of agreement above indicated is acceptable to Paraguay.
Please obtain immediately an interview with Dr. Cruchaga and express to him the earnest hope of this Government that the solution proposed by Dr. Saavedra Lamas may be found acceptable by the Government of Chile. State to him that this Government is peculiarly gratified at the possibility of having the powerful and effective cooperation of the Government of Chile under the wise direction of Dr. Cruchaga in the furtherance of negotiations for finding a pacific solution of the Chaco dispute. Dr. Cruchaga will appreciate that a speedy resumption of normal and friendly diplomatic relations between Chile and Paraguay would be an essential factor in promoting a rapid settlement of the Chaco controversy, and this Government is consequently all the more anxious that the incident which has arisen between Chile and Paraguay may be adjusted upon the basis suggested by Dr. Saavedra Lamas with the support of the Governments of Brazil and of the United States.
Please cable immediately the result of your conversation with the Minister for Foreign Affairs.