724.34119/163: Telegram
The Ambassador in Brazil (Gibson) to the Secretary of State
[Received 5:35 p.m.]
218. Bolivian Chargé d’Affaires called this afternoon and asked my support for a resolution which he proposes under the instructions of his Government to have introduced by Colombian delegate at next week’s meeting of Red Cross Conference. This resolution is in effect an outline of the Bolivian thesis on prisoners of war and calls in the name of humanity and on grounds of international law for the immediate release of all prisoners now held by Paraguay and Bolivia. The Chargé d’Affaires states that while his Government feels the mediators are doing all they can, they are unable to overcome Paraguayan resistance which can be met only through formal condemnation by public opinion.
I told him that inasmuch as the question of prisoners of war was now under negotiations by a group of powers whose mediation had been accepted I feel it would be improper for either party to start propaganda of this sort; that persistence by the Bolivian Government in bringing a controversial political question into the Red Cross Conference might readily create a situation where the Chaco Conference could not get agreement on this or any other question.
The Chargé d’Affaires said that nevertheless his Government felt this pressure should be exerted and asked for the support of the American delegation to the Red Cross Conference. I said I had no authority over the American delegation but that it would be wise not to count too much on their support as, if the resolution were introduced, I should be obliged to explain its political implications to our delegation and suggest that they might deem it wise at least to abstain from voting while stating their reasons.
The Chargé d’Affaires said he quite appreciated the dangers of the contemplated step but did not indicate that he would modify his plans.
Repeated to Dawson.