724.3415/4812a: Telegram

The Secretary of State to the Chargé in Brazil (Gordon)

66. The Department has now been advised by the Ambassadors of Argentina, Chile, and Peru by instruction of their respective Governments that the three Governments named have approved in its entirety the following note to be addressed jointly by the diplomatic representatives in Brazil of Argentina, Chile, Peru, and the United States to the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Brazil:

“The Governments of Argentina, Chile, Peru, and the United States have learned with deep regret of the reply made by the Government of Brazil to the invitation extended to it by the Governments of Argentina and Chile to participate as one of the mediatory powers in the negotiations which it is hoped may result in the formulation of a proposal for a pacific solution of the hostilities between Bolivia and Paraguay equally acceptable to both of the belligerent nations.

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Both the Governments of Argentina and of Chile, which extended the invitation, and the Governments of the United States and of Peru, which have accepted the invitation to take part in the peace negotiations, welcome this opportunity of informing the Government of Brazil that they jointly consider the participation by Brazil in these negotiations indispensable, in order to assure the successful outcome thereof so earnestly hoped for by every one of the American republics. They deplore the involuntary omission of Brazil from the list of states which it was suggested should participate in an economic conference, regarding which omission the countries which initiated the exploratory conversations have already addressed themselves to the Government of Brazil. The Governments of Argentina and Chile are glad to reassure the Government of Brazil that from the outset of the confidential negotiations undertaken under the auspices of these two Governments, the participation of Brazil in that conference was regarded as essential.

Furthermore, the Governments of Argentina, Chile, Peru, and the United States have been advised by the Governments of Bolivia and Paraguay that they likewise have consistently believed that the Government of Brazil should take part in the proposed economic conference, and moreover, that they regard the participation by Brazil in the peace negotiations as an essential factor in assuring their successful termination.

In their common endeavor to further a just and equitable solution of the tragic controversy between their sister republics of Bolivia and Paraguay, the Governments of Argentina, Chile, Peru, and the United States require the invaluable collaboration and assistance of the Government of Brazil and they express their hope that the Government of Brazil may find itself enabled, in view of the assurances above given, to reconsider the attitude which it has previously felt it necessary to take, and to join with them in their effort to bring lasting peace to the American continent.”

It has been further agreed that the diplomatic representatives in Rio de Janeiro of the four countries mentioned should agree among themselves as to the time and date for presentation of this note to the Brazilian Foreign Minister, and the Argentine, Chilean, and Peruvian Ambassadors in Rio de Janeiro have been instructed by their respective Governments to communicate with you in order to reach a common agreement as to the time for the presentation of this note to Dr. Macedo Soares. It has been likewise agreed that the four diplomatic representatives should jointly sign the same document, but if because of language difficulties this is believed to be impracticable, you are authorized to suggest either that the note be addressed to the Foreign Minister in French or else that duplicate copies be made, one in Spanish and one in English, both copies to be signed by all four representatives.

The Department believes it of the utmost importance that the note be presented at the first available opportunity.

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I am informed this morning by Aranha of the receipt by him of a cable today from President Vargas requesting that the note be presented immediately and stating that the Government of Brazil will thereupon immediately give a favorable reply. While there is some intimation in this cable that the Brazilian Government in its reply may make certain observations with regard to the inclusion of Uruguay in the negotiations and the participation by the United States in the proposed economic conference, Aranha has again urged the President to postpone discussion of these points until after the mediation commission is installed and is functioning in Buenos Aires.

Please cable the Department as soon as a time has been fixed for presentation of this note to the Brazilian Government.

Hull