724.34119/1443: Telegram
The Ambassador in Argentina (Weddell) to the Secretary of State
[Received 4:08 p.m.]
180. From Braden. Junior Paraguayan delegate this morning informed Brazilian, Chilean, Peruvian delegates and myself that he was authorized by President of Paraguay and the military members of the Paraguayan Cabinet to accept plan reserving the right for arbitration and plebiscite. Thus, if the Paraguayan acceptance of today and Bolivian acceptance of yesterday had coincided, the peace would have been made but due to the Bolivian about-face we must get them back in line. However, junior Paraguayan was greatly disturbed because Argentine Minister for Foreign Affairs yesterday afternoon without consultation with any other member of the Conference and despite Conference resolution of yesterday morning summoned Zubizarreta and told him that plan was no longer under consideration and instead demanded that Paraguay present a last proposal not later than tomorrow on a possible frontier which if [Page 159] rejected would bring direct negotiations to an end. We know Paraguay can make no proposal which would be acceptable and must persuade Argentine Minister for Foreign Affairs to desist from his idea. I will telegraph developments in this connection. In view of my disagreeable interview with the Bolivian Minister for Foreign Affairs and delegate yesterday I will not discuss matters with them excepting in Conference session and therefore they are now being handled by Brazilian delegate. [Braden.]