724.34119/1424: Telegram
The Ambassador in Argentina (Weddell) to the Secretary of State
[Received 8:24 p.m.]
167. From Braden. My 166, June 25, 10 p.m. Paraguayan Minister was informed last night of Bolivian memorandum and decision of Bolivian Minister for Foreign Affairs to leave Buenos Aires on Wednesday (actually he will leave Friday) unless progress were made in the meantime. They replied that what Bolivia did or said was of no concern to them and they were bound by instructions to their counter-proposal although they could listen to further proposals from us. Argentine Minister for Foreign Affairs indicated the object of inviting Paraguayan and Bolivian Foreign Ministers was to obtain real negotiations, not merely conveyance of messages to and from their Governments. Finally Paraguayans were asked whether they and their Government would accept Conference line in west and north if Bolivia gave up littoral for a free port and money were omitted from settlement. (In an aside to junior Paraguayan, I pointed out that if this were accepted in principle by them and the Government, the Conference would then be willing to send a committee of delegates to help put over the plebiscite). At the request of Paraguayan Minister for Foreign Affairs, the question was put in a formal note from the Conference Chairman. Despite mediators’ repeated requests for a reply before Wednesday, the best obtained was that it would take a week or maybe a little less. Paraguayan attitude strongly contrasted with conciliatory tone at afternoon session.
Regarding plebiscite idea, Argentine Minister for Foreign Affairs, in splendid fashion, pointed out that we could never hope to succeed if the Paraguayan delegation were not committed openly to the views to be expressed by mediators in Asunción. Paraguayans pleading inability to do so under their instructions. Argentine Minister for Foreign Affairs and other mediators emphasized that such was Paraguayan intransigence that they could not even be said to have negotiated but throughout rigidly stood by maximum demands. Together with Brazilian delegate, I am seeing Zubizarreta this afternoon.
In the last day or two Buenos Aires press has changed its tone. Paraguay’s attitude and counter-proposal are criticized and various [Page 150] newspapers demand settlement to prevent almost inevitable war following Conference failure.
Above repeated to Asunción.
Fourth paragraph telegram under reference, Bolivian Minister for Foreign Affairs informed me and Brazilian delegate this morning, come what may, his memorandum will be given to the press late “Wednesday. However, he agreed to eliminate point 5 on our assurance that this action would be taken by Conference of its own volition. The memorandum itself does not refer to mystification of Buenos Aires press. Its publication unquestionably will raise storm in Paraguay but it adheres to the truth and may at least have the advantage of bringing home to the Argentine Government and people grave menace of war.
Bolivian Minister for Foreign Affairs agreed to stay beyond Friday if there is any chance of reaching agreement. If mediators decided to visit Asunción or to adopt plebiscite idea, he would be ready to meet with us in Buenos Aires on our return if we thought agreement appeared feasible.
He authorized alternate delegate to negotiate, but not to inform the Conference, on the basis that if we could obtain Paraguayan agreement to Conference line minus littoral and with alterations in the west and north, for instance, D’Orbigny, he was confident he could obtain Bolivian acceptance. [Braden.]