724.34119/1352: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Argentina (Weddell)
62. For Braden. Your 113, May 18, 3 p.m. The situation has been thoroughly discussed with the Argentine Ambassador, but after careful consideration the Department has decided that it would not be desirable for the President to telegraph the President of Argentina at this time. In accordance with the Conference plan, the President will telegraph the Presidents of Bolivia and Paraguay at the proper time. Please inform the Department as soon as possible when the latter messages should be sent.
Your 115, May 18, 7 p.m. The Department does not believe it necessary for you to telegraph the text of your proposed speech, but desires to make the following suggestions:
- a.
- Referring to point 2 of your outline, the Department does not consider it wise to mention a possible prolongation of the conference. Emphasis should be placed upon an early and satisfactory conclusion of the Chaco negotiations.
- b.
- With reference to point 5 of your outline, it might be well to state that the mediatory delegates have made every effort to reflect the principles and opinions of the American nations during the Chaco negotiations rather than to state that the mediatory powers have really represented all American opinion. The Department also questions the wisdom of making any statement regarding the assigning of credit or blame by the conference in the event of a failure of the negotiations. It is considered important that the provisions of the basic protocols be kept in mind and that the conference not be placed in the position of assuming arbitral powers that it does not possess under those protocols. Any views regarding statements to be made in the event of a failure of the negotiations might better be expressed to representatives of one or both of the parties verbally rather than included in a public address.37
- For text of Mr. Braden’s address of May 24, see The Chaco Peace Conference, p. 138.↩