724.34119/439
The American Delegate (Braden) to the Secretary of State
[Received April 4.]
Sir: I have the honor to refer to my despatch No. 128 of February 20, 1936,23 to request authorization for the designation of Lieutenant Colonel Lester D. Baker, the newly assigned military attaché to the Embassy at Buenos Aires, as the American member of the Special Repatriation Commission to supervise the exchange of prisoners between Bolivia and Paraguay, replacing his predecessor, Captain Frederick Dent Sharp, as soon after his arrival as may be practicable.
It is understood that Lieutenant Colonel Baker will arrive in Buenos Aires on April 29, 1936, and that Captain Sharp intends to depart for the United States on May 13, 1936. As stated in my despatch No. 144 of March 23, 1936,23 it is unlikely that the Special Repatriation Commission will divide into two groups to go to Bolivia and Paraguay [Page 46] before April 15 and such action may be delayed even longer. Consequently, it will probably not be practicable for Captain Sharp to go to Asunción with the Paraguayan group of the Special Repatriation Commission as originally contemplated. In this event it would seem advisable for Lieutenant Colonel Baker to proceed to Asunción to join the group as soon after his arrival as he has familiarized himself with the Chaco situation and the duties of the Special Repatriation Commission.
Respectfully yours,