724.34119/454
The American Delegate (Braden) to the Secretary of State
[Received April 27.]
Sir: Referring to the Department’s telegram No. 41 of March 26, 6 p.m., designating Major John A. Weeks as military observer in the Chaco for the Peace Conference for the period April 15 to June 15, 1936, I have the honor to report that Major Weeks arrived in Buenos Aires from Santiago, Chile, on April 3 and departed for the Chaco via Formosa, Embarcación, Aguaray and Yacuiba on April 7. Major Weeks expected to arrive at Yacuiba to join his predecessor, Major Alves Bastos,25 Brazilian Army, about April 14.
In view of the probability that at least a portion of the repatriation of prisoners will be carried out through Villa Montes and that the Boyuibe–Villa Montes road will be used for the transportation of Bolivian prisoners returning to the Department of Santa Cruz, the Peace Conference has decided that Major Alves Bastos should remain on duty in the Chaco until May 15, supplementing the services of Major Weeks. On May 15 a Chilean officer will replace Major Alves Bastos so that during the entire period of two months for which Major Weeks has been designated as an observer he will have a colleague.
It is probable that Major Weeks will set up his quarters at Villa Montes or Camatindi in order to be in close proximity to the lines of separation between the Bolivian and Paraguayan armies and the portion of the Boyuibe–Villa Montes road in Paraguayan possession, and that Major Alves Bastos will move from Yacuiba in order to join him.
Respectfully yours,
- Military Attaché to the Brazilian delegation.↩