724.34119/1352: Telegram
The Ambassador in Argentina (Weddell) to the Secretary of State
[Received 6:35 p.m.]
113. From Braden. My 111, May 16, 7 p.m. Paraguayan and Bolivian Foreign Ministers have accepted invitation. Former expected Wednesday, latter Monday. The acceptance of the Paraguayan Minister for Foreign Affairs states he will attend “some” Conference sessions, it being understood he does not consider himself a member of the Peace Conference, his country’s representation being left to Zubizarreta.
I have several times assured my colleagues and the President of Argentina that the United States Government and President Roosevelt are both with them in determination to use on both sides reasonable concessions to obtain a settlement. In the last analysis, Paraguayan acceptance of the Conference proposal will depend upon degree of pressure put on Paraguay by Argentina. While the promises in this particular made to mediators by Ortiz and Cantilo are satisfactory, nevertheless I am disturbed because I sense a certain underlying timidity (especially in the latter) in their taking the steps recognized as necessary. Yesterday I urged Chilean Minister for Foreign Affairs to join with Brazilian Minister for Foreign Affairs in insisting upon a strong stand by all the mediators. You may consider it advisable to inform the Argentine Ambassador at Washington of the United States Government’s concern that the Chaco shall be settled, emphasizing that Argentine pressure is the one essential to Paraguayan acceptance. Also a telegram from the President to the President of Argentina would be useful. [Braden.]