710.H/80

The Ambassador in Argentina ( Weddell ) to the Secretary of State
No. 2065

Sir: I have the honor to inform the Department that today in a conversation with the Minister for Foreign Affairs the proposed International Conference of American States at Lima was mentioned. In this connection the Minister told me that while he considered the moment not altogether propitious in view of the continental situation,—referring specifically to the Chaco conflict10 and political unrest in Brazil, he thought it appropriate that the Conference be held. He added that it was something that the Peruvian Government very much desired and said that the effect of such a reunion would be to strengthen the hands of that Government.

The Minister then referred to the Chaco War which he said was a most complex and difficult question and said that the Bolivian and [Page 7] Paraguayan Governments had each informed him that if the present negotiations fell through, they would not be represented at Lima.

In this connection I have the honor to enclose, as of interest to the Department, an editorial on the proposed Conference which appeared in La Prensa of June 10.11 This is not the first occasion on which this newspaper has expressed its lack of enthusiasm for the Conference. Its attitude, however, does not at present reflect that of the press as a whole.

Respectfully yours,

Alexander W. Weddell
  1. See pp. 89 ff.
  2. Not reprinted.