724.34119/1429: Telegram
The Ambassador in Argentina (Weddell) to the Secretary of State
[Received June 20—12:24 a.m.]
171. From Braden. At meeting of mediators Chilean delegate and I won approval of plebiscite procedure as hereinafter described of all [Page 153] except Barreda whom we hope to convince by bringing him into negotiations which are now sufficiently advanced for him not to upset them.
Tentative procedure accepted by junior Paraguayan delegate is:
- (1)
- Paraguay will answer Conference June 26 note (my 167, June 26, 8 p.m.,) leaving opening for continuance of negotiations;
- (2)
- Conference by note in reply will inquire of Paraguay whether that Government is disposed to submit to a plebiscite including women, a new and final Conference line;
- (3)
- Paraguay will reply accepting this procedure agreeing to set the date for the plebiscite within 20 days of delivery of new proposal simultaneously suggesting that a committee of mediatory delegates go to Asunción to serve as “sources of information”;
- (4)
- Immediately thereafter Conference will propose line as per my 170, June 28, noon.
If this or equivalent procedure is followed ex-belligerent Foreign Ministers would return home. Bolivian Minister for Foreign Affairs has agreed with Brazilian delegate and me he will return here to sign peace treaty. The Department will observe that except for Forts Galpon and Patria a meeting of the minds has been almost achieved. The peace depends on our discovering the right procedure to follow. In opinion of all Paraguayan delegates conversations by mediators in Asunción will produce favorable plebiscite. I am disposed to agree with them.
Brazilian delegate gave Bolivian Minister for Foreign Affairs telegram from Brazilian Minister for Foreign Affairs strongly urging non-publication of memorandum. Bolivian Minister for Foreign Affairs stated to him that he has left the decision to his Government. Argentine Minister for Foreign Affairs has telegraphed instructions to the Argentine Legation at La Paz to urge non-publication and the Chilean delegate tells me the President of Chile is telegraphing the President of Bolivia in the same sense. [Braden.]