724.34119/105: Telegram
The Ambassador in Argentina ( Weddell ) to the Secretary of State
[Received August 13—1:32 a.m.]
173. From Gibson. My 168 August 11, 9 p.m. and 169 August 11, 11 p.m. In further negotiations Paraguayans have asked for certain changes which could I think be reasonably met. They also objected to the resumption of diplomatic relations at this time.
This afternoon while our group was in conference in my room Bolivian Chief Delegate called and handed me a formal note proposing fundamental changes; first, suppression of provisions for exchange outlined in paragraph (b) of my 168; second, to change article as to continued negotiations for remaining prisoners described under paragraph (d) to provide that on declaration that war is at an end all prisoners shall be repatriated in such proportions that the last Bolivian prisoner shall be released at the same time as the last Paraguayan prisoner. In conclusion the note states that if these modifications are not accepted he has instructions from his Government to ask that the question of prisoners be deferred until the Conference has declared the war at an end “as once this has been declared there will be no further reason for retaining a single prison camp in either of the two interested countries.”
[Page 119]Elío further stated that this was final as public opinion in Bolivia would not acquiesce in the acceptance of our draft proposal, that this was shown by protests at a meeting of the Bolivian Congress on Saturday afternoon.
We went over the whole subject with Elío, pointing out to him the gravity of the step he was taking in rejecting an agreement which secured the declaration of principle he desired and the immediate repatriation of over 5,000 Bolivians together with a series of provisions which were calculated to expedite the return of the remaining prisoners; that if after the publicity given to our discussions by Bolivia we were to fail to reach agreement it was difficult to see how we could approach the fundamental question with any hope of success. We also stressed the gross impropriety of Bolivian congressional manifestations on or even knowledge of informal confidential conversations now under way in Buenos Aires.
Elío remained unmoved but some of the group feel they may be able to draft a substitute resolution which will salvage something. We are to meet for that purpose tomorrow morning but I fear we must face failure of this negotiation. [Gibson.]