724.34119/109: Telegram
The Minister in Bolivia (Des Portes) to the Secretary of State
[Received 8:30 p.m.]
50. Department’s telegram No. 24, August 12, 5 p.m.78 was read to the Sub-Secretary of Foreign Affairs 10 a.m. and discussed with [Page 120] Foreign Minister at 5 p.m. It was evidently to be considered by the President and his Cabinet at 5 p.m. today.
Foreign Minister showed me Government informal [note?] to Elío dated August 10th informing him of heated discussions in Chamber of Deputies criticising failure to obtain liberation of prisoners and that Bolivian Government interprets spirit of Protocol to mean exchange of Bolivian prisoners for Paraguayan prisoners in toto, not “a head for a head.” He also showed me a telegram from Elío August 8th summarizing Gibson’s original plan which Foreign Minister states is fully acceptable to Bolivia but prefers that the whole matter be held over than settled on the basis of August 11th proposal since army command in the Chaco as well as the Chamber of Deputies insists upon complete exchange or none. La Paz press has also given considerable space urging the early return of all prisoners.
Reference Buenos Aires’ August 12, 10 p.m. received here August 13, 11 a.m., Chamber of Deputies had heated discussions Saturday afternoon criticising Government’s failure to obtain return of prisoners. Monday Foreign Minister was called before the Chamber in executive session to report on the progress of the Conference. No specific proposal from Buenos Aires publicly discussed.
Chilean Minister called on Foreign Minister at 3 p.m. today. Representatives of Brazil and Argentina have not yet called.
Repeated to Buenos Aires.