724.34119/301: Telegram
The Ambassador in Argentina (Weddell) to the Secretary of State
Buenos
Aires, December 6, 1935—8
p.m.
[Received December 6—7:50 p.m.]
[Received December 6—7:50 p.m.]
294. From Braden. My 290, November 30, 6 p.m. and 293, December 4, 1 p.m.
- 1.
- Bolivian and Paraguayan delegations received replies from their Governments yesterday.
- 2.
- The Bolivian reply accepts formula with one minor change in wording about which there will be no difficulty but states that 1,800,000 Argentine pesos is the maximum net payment which the Bolivian Government can consider.
- 3.
- The Paraguayan reply demands (a) that security measures and lines of separation be maintained until “conclusion of treaty of peace” instead of until definite termination of Conference and (b) that the two documents be fused into a single “protocol”. On the surface the form suggested by President Ayala would involve ratification by both Congresses but Zubizarreta expresses the opinion that Ayala would be satisfied if the two subjects of prisoners and security were linked by inclusion in a single formal resolution to be adopted by the Conference as a whole, making ratification unnecessary. While the Paraguayan reply does not mention the sum to be paid the Paraguayan delegation states that its Government’s instructions to insist on 3,500,000 Argentine pesos net still hold.
- 4.
- Bolivian delegation objects to having any part of the present formula substituted [submitted?] to congressional ratification but has expressed willingness that the two documents be united and we believe we can find a wording as to the length of time for maintenance of security measures and lines of separation which will be acceptable to both parties. The vital point of difference is still the amount to be paid by Bolivia to Paraguay.
- 5.
- In the conversations of the Prisoners Committee with the two delegations we have not revealed to either the amount now suggested by the other. In an endeavor to reach a figure acceptable to both we have told the Bolivians that if they would raise their ante to 3,000,000 Argentine pesos net we would do our utmost to get the Paraguayans down to their figure; conversely we have stated to the Paraguayans that if they would lower their claims to 2,600,000 net we would bring pressure on the Bolivians to accept. Both delegations have undertaken to telegraph their Governments setting forth our arguments.
- 6.
- The various neutral delegates have agreed to suggest to their Governments that they call in the diplomatic representatives of the contending parties in their respective capitals and make representations backing those of the neutrals here. Saavedra Lamas who has not taken part in the committee conversation is calling in the Bolivian and Paraguayan Ministers here tomorrow to urge that Bolivia raise its offer and Paraguay lower its claim. You may wish to consider the possibility of talking along similar lines to Finot13 and Bordenave.14
- 7.
- Cipher texts to Rio de Janeiro and La Paz by air mail; to Asunción by ordinary mail. [Braden.]
Weddell