834.01/23: Telegram
The Ambassador in Argentina (Weddell) to the Secretary of State
[Received March 11—7:15 a.m.]
57. From Braden. My 55, March 8, 11 p.m.20
- 1.
- In view of failure by Paraguayan Government to make a categorical
written declaration that it will respect the Bueno Aires protocols
and in order therefore to prevent any future misunderstanding on the
score, the Conference Executive Committee (subject to approval of
the respective mediatory governments) today recommended the
following procedure:
[Page 881]
- (a)
- The following note in Spanish to be signed and handed
jointly by the six Chiefs of Mission in Asunción to the
Minister for Foreign Affairs:
“The Governments of Brazil, United States, Chile, Uruguay, Peru and Argentina in accordance with the recommendation of the Peace Conference of Buenos Aires, have resolved to proceed to the recognition of the Provisional Government of Paraguay presided over by Colonel Franco.
Therefore, these Governments have considered: (1) the manifestations contained in the Provisional President’s telegram directed to the presidents of the mediating nations under date of the 5th instant; (2) those contained in the telegram of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Stefanich, of the 8th of this month directed to the President of the Peace Conference; (3) the expressions contained in the first of the above-mentioned communications relative to the proposal of the Government to respect the democratic principles which prevail in America; (4) the desire manifested by the new Government to proceed without delay to the repatriation of prisoners as already initiated, in accordance with the above-mentioned communication from the Minister, Dr. Stefanich; and, (5) other declarations of the same Government publicly formulated.
From all of which there results the express desire of the Paraguayan Government to respect in every way the peace protocols signed in Buenos Aires the 12th of June, 1935, and the 21st of January, 1936.
Therefore, the representatives of the Governments of Brazil, United States, Chile, Uruguay, Peru and Argentina accredited in Asunción are pleased to inform Your Excellency that they will continue to maintain with the Government of Your Excellency the diplomatic relations in keeping with the traditional ties existing between their respective countries and Paraguay since their common historical origins.”
- (b)
- The Argentine Minister in Asunción has been instructed by Saavedra Lamas to obtain as soon as possible an agreement from Stefanich that upon receipt of this joint note he will in note of reply acknowledge the receipt of the afore-quoted note and “accept all the declarations and considerations contained therein.”
- (c)
- Once (a) and (b) above are agreed upon by mediatory governments and by Stefanich, Conference will recommend recognition and the six Chiefs of Mission will determine upon a day for delivery of joint note in afore-described form or as modified in accordance with desires of respective governments.
- (d)
- Saavedra Lamas will advise other American and European governments in advance of proposed recognition since most of them have agreed with him to defer their recognition until the mediatory nations recognize the new Government.
- 3[sic].
- Clause 3 of the above-quoted joint note was inserted to satisfy Brazilian fears with respect to communistic tendencies of the new regime.
- 4.
- I suggest that it would perhaps be preferable for the representatives of the six mediatory nations in Asunción to deliver identic notes but my colleagues felt that the joint note would be stronger and more acceptable to Paraguayan Government.
- 5.
- Please instruct by telegraph as soon as possible. [Braden.]
- Not printed.↩