724.34119/1401: Telegram
The Ambassador in Argentina (Weddell) to the Secretary of State
[Received June 11—8 a.m.]
151. From Braden. My 147, June 7, 8 p.m. Paraguayan Minister for Foreign Affairs advised Argentine Minister for Foreign Affairs this morning that his Government maintained instructions and as counter-proposal authorized line described my 104, May 5, 4 p.m. He requested advice as to whether this counter-proposal should be made on Monday or whether Paraguayan delegation should ask for a week’s delay in order to send junior delegate to Asunción if possible to obtain more liberal instructions and a better counterproposal. After considerable deliberation with us this afternoon Argentine Minister for Foreign Affairs summoned Paraguayan Minister for Foreign Affairs and Zubizarreta to tell them that mediators felt it was up to the Paraguayans to decide on presentation of their counter-proposal. He warned it would entail immediate terms of direct negotiations; initiation of arbitral compromise period which the Conference is not disposed to let run indefinitely and withdrawal of military observers at its conclusion; that mediators see no utility in further delay unless there is real basis for belief that a counterproposal will be made at least approximating Conference lines in the interior.
[Page 141]Paraguayan Minister for Foreign Affairs slept during most of the interview and Zubizarreta said he could not promise one way or the other but he very evidently desires the opportunity to develop another counter-proposal.
It has become apparent that the Paraguayan Minister for Foreign Affairs and delegation have not fully informed the authorities in Asunción of the negotiations here including important phases of the Conference proposal. For instance, last Wednesday President of the Argentine Republic telegraphed Argentine Chargé d’Affaires at Asunción to make sharp protest because no answer had been given to questions raised by him in interview with the Paraguayan Minister for Foreign Affairs on June 1; it developed that message had been sent by ordinary mail and had not yet arrived in Asunción. I doubt that Paraguayans’ conversation with Cantilo and other mediators have been adequately transmitted, if at all.
The Argentine Minister for Foreign Affairs is pessimistic regarding Paraguayan final counter offer being acceptable. Peruvian delegate, not Paraguayan, suggestion is more stalling. The Chilean and Brazilian delegates and I on the other hand believe it indicates a weakening of the Paraguayans of which we should take advantage in every way possible. This is perhaps somewhat analogous to that of December 1935; hence conceivably an airplane visit to Asunción by the Brazilian delegate, myself and one other, preferably Argentine, might turn the trick if the trip were made at Paraguayan invitation. The only alternative to such affirmative action would seem to be for the Conference to sit tight here and exert continued pressure although there is little more to be done in that direction in view of Argentine reluctance.
Bolivians will be consulted this evening regarding possible week’s delay. In any case from next Thursday until Monday some of the Conference including Bolivian Minister for Foreign Affairs and delegate will be in Montevideo attending Presidential inauguration. [Braden.]