724.34119/1448: Telegram
The Ambassador in Argentina (Weddell) to the Secretary of State
[Received 12:35 p.m.]
184. From Braden. My 172, June 29, 9 p.m.…
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Ex-belligerent delegations have promised to speed matters in an attempt to sign peace treaty on the Argentine national holiday July 9.
As now contemplated peace treaty would be signed under the auspices of and moral guarantee of the mediatory countries. It would provide: Ratification within 20 days of signature, by constitutional assembly in Bolivia and a plebiscite in Paraguay; award on the frontier line to be given 2 or 3 months after ratification; Ministers to be accredited immediately afterwards; treaties of commerce and transit to be negotiated directly through diplomatic channels; Paraguay to undertake to provide Bolivia free port privileges; non-aggression pact and mutual renunciation of war responsibilities; each reserving their respective juridicial rights in the event that the treaty is not ratified.
Confidentially junior Paraguayan delegate tells me Zubizarreta will probably resign and be replaced as delegation chairman by Estigarribia. The latter will back the treaty with his full influence as will also President of Paraguay and Bishop and other civilian and military leaders. I hope Zubizarreta’s opposition will be limited to his resignation and not outspoken and that it will be offset by influence of Estigarribia et al.
Bolivian Minister for Foreign Affairs and delegate in the presence of my colleagues expressed regret for their remarks, see my telegram 180, July 2, 3 p.m. Cordial relations are thus reestablished between us.
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Weddell