824.00/810: Telegram
The Chargé in Bolivia (Muccio) to the Secretary of State
[Received 11:45 p.m.]
44. La Paz continues superficially tranquil but disquieting factors are (1) Toro forcibly deported to Arica yesterday, (2) senior military officers friendly to Toro also being deported, (3) rumors that certain army units are not fully for Busch, (4) student federation last night started march to Palace to petition Busch for return to constitutional government. Military officer met them en route and told them they would be fired upon should they appear before Palace whereupon they disbanded, (5) following banquet at La Paz Club in honor of Peñaranda7 last night heated arguments for and against Busch ended in the killing of at least three civilians either by young military officers present or by military police called in to quell disturbance.
Repeated to Buenos Aires.
- Gen. Enrique Peñaranda, Commander in Chief of the Bolivian Army.↩