834.00 Revolutions/24: Telegram
The Ambassador in Argentina (Weddell) to the Secretary of State
[Received 6:40 p.m.]
[136.] From Braden. Department’s telegram August 14, 2 p.m. In my opinion overthrow of Franco Government was due primarily to older army officers, distaste for governmental inefficiency and wholesale deportations, dislike for the Foreign Minister and to some definite fear that he and the Paraguayan Delegation were bungling the Chaco negotiations. They were egged on by old Liberal Party leaders. A favorable factor is that it appeared likely that Estigarribia and some Liberals will again be influential and to that extent the new government will enjoy greater authority and therefore will be better able to negotiate than the old one. However, I am disposed to expect intransigence from army elements at least to begin with to any territorial settlement involving withdrawal from the present lines of occupation. Paraguay may take advantage of the change to delay territorial negotiations as heretofore but I am confident the new government as soon as established will declare adherence to the protocols.
Payva, [Paiva] former Chief Justice, is reported to have accepted the provisional Presidency. If this is true it would indicate early return to constitutional government.
[Page 723]Paredes on behalf of the army has made friendly overtures to Estigarribia in an open telegram. [Braden.]