724.34119/1343: Telegram
The Ambassador in Argentina (Weddell) to the Secretary of State
[Received 11:20 a.m.]
108. From Braden. At Conference session yesterday afternoon Argentine Minister for Foreign Affairs listened to opinions of the other mediators and expressed determination to get on with Conference final offer to ex-belligerent Foreign Ministers with united pressure of all neutral powers. When I stated as my Government’s conviction that these Ministers should be invited to Buenos Aires at earliest [Page 121] possible moment since Paraguay’s last offer showed utter futility of further negotiations with their delegations he said the President of Chile had made the same statement and that he himself agreed. On the other hand Alvarado, who was also present, showed considerable timidity and a pro-Paraguayan bias.
My 105, May 6, 5 p.m. The Bolivian delegate notified the Brazilian delegate that his Government chooses to stand on the official offer the military junta described in my telegram from La Paz of April 13, 5 p.m., but would be glad to receive from the Conference a proposal along the lines suggested confidentially by the Bolivian Minister for Foreign Affairs. Finot also expressed his optimism regarding an early solution.
The Conference decided as follows:
- (1)
- Argentine Minister for Foreign Affairs should make a last appeal to both ex-belligerent delegations to improve their final proposals. Immediately thereafter the Conference will invite the ex-belligerent Foreign Ministers to come to Buenos Aires.
- (2)
- Each neutral delegation will instruct its military officers regarding the Conference frontier proposal. The military are to meet with the Conference Friday (earliest date Uruguayan officer can attend) and then prepare adequate maps showing location of the said frontier and draft exact proposal. Colonel Baker can represent the United States.
My 106, May 9, noon. Plans are for Chilean Minister for Foreign Affairs to pass through Buenos Aires May 17. I argued that by staying here a few days he could fly to Rio de Janeiro to keep his schedule and still give the Conference the benefit of prestige of his presence and perhaps that of Brazilian Minister for Foreign Affairs. The Brazilian delegate held Chilean and Brazilian Foreign Ministers should not attend first meeting with Paraguayan and Bolivian Foreign Ministers but only be called for later when we are able to assure them likelihood of signing peace treaty. I regret this development but hope Brazilian Minister for Foreign Affairs may be induced to come here for the last stages of negotiations as I feel his presence and pressure would be decidedly helpful. [Braden.]