724.34119/226: Telegram
The Ambassador in Argentina (Weddell) to the Secretary of State
[Received 12:05 p.m.]
242. From Gibson. My 234, October 8, 6 p.m. Mediatory group has been in session daily in full agreement and met last night to put final touches on text of proposal for comprehensive settlement and decide details as to presentation here and in the two capitals.
The Chilean delegation opened the meeting with a communication from Cruchaga that he could not support the plan. His expressed reason was that mediators could not with propriety suggest a line of demarcation; that he could consent to nothing more than a further informal exploration as to whether the substance of the plan could serve as a basis of settlement.
Confidentially Meto del Bio tells me that Cruchaga’s real reason is that he wants the Conference to press his original idea of an international commission to settle the territorial question. The Chilean delegation told Cruchaga that this was not feasible as the Paraguayans had stated categorically that they would reject any such proposal. In spite of this, the Chileans were instructed to maintain his objection to the plan and the method of its presentation.
An effort is being made to find an alternative method satisfactory to Cruchaga but it is believed difficult to see how this can be achieved without sacrificing the measures which give some hope of acceptance by the parties. [Gibson.]