834.00 Revolutions/35: Telegram
The Ambassador in Argentina (Weddell) to the Secretary of State
[Received 7:35 p.m.]
168. From Braden. Impossible communicate with Asuncion by telephone. Apparently strict censorship. Last word which came through to the press here at 3:00 o’clock was that new Government has been established headed by triumvirate consisting of Colonels Franco, Juan Ayala and Smith and that there was fighting in the streets.
During informal conversation with the Brazilian Delegate and me this afternoon, Franco stated he had been called back to Asuncion and was leaving by plane tomorrow morning. He expects to resume the presidency with increased authority. He says Stefanich is not returning with him and new Cabinet will be appointed. He promised full cooperation to speed negotiations and that one of his first official acts will be to declare Chapter 2 of the regulations22 in force.
Will be repeated to Asunción. [Braden.]
- See Transit and Security Regulations, Chapter II, Civil-Police Service and Withdrawal of Commands and Nuclei of Troops, in The Chaco Peace Conference, p. 112.↩