724.34119/1327: Telegram
The Ambassador in Argentina (Weddell) to the Secretary of State
[Received 6:25 p.m.]
100. From Braden. My 98, April 26, noon. At his request I called on the Argentine Minister for Foreign Affairs today. Our conversation can be résuméed as follows:
- 1.
- During his absence next week in Chile he desires Conference to proceed actively (a) to consider and dispose Paraguayan offer to be submitted by Zubizarreta; (b) to complete plans for presentation to the parties of final Conference proposal together with united pressure for its acceptance by all the mediatory powers. He suggested actual presentation would carry greater weight if made after he returns to Buenos Aires.
- 2.
- He was convinced final proposal must be made along the lines we have tentatively agreed upon but said he was insufficiently acquainted with Chaco problem to be of much help in drafting program which he therefore left in hands of other mediatory delegates since he had complete confidence in our knowledge and wisdom.
- 3.
- The only condition he laid down was that pressure must be made by all six mediatory governments, in other words, he wished to avoid repetition of the situation when all the League of Nations members glibly talked about sanctions on Italy but in showdown left a few larger nations holding the bag. In Santiago he will discuss Chile’s full collaboration in pressing Bolivia. He declared Argentina will assume full share in pressing both ex-belligerents and warning will [Page 116] be repeated to Paraguay that if failure results from her unreasonableness she can expect no sympathy or help from Argentina and will have to wage another war under far less favorable circumstances than the last.
- 4.
- President of the Argentine Republic thoroughly approves our program, is determined Chaco shall be settled as soon as possible, has given categorical instructions to this effect and every time he sees Minister for Foreign Affairs inquires as to progress.
The above described attitude coincides with statements made separately by the Argentine Minister for Foreign Affairs to the Brazilian delegate.
Argentine Minister for Foreign Affairs still does not know quite what it is all about but very evidently he has received emphatic orders from the President along these lines above stated.
The Chilean delegate has already written to President of Chile and confirmed personally by telephone that during Cantilo’s visit he must be impressed that only alternative to decisive action now is another war.
In order to create propitious atmosphere as suggested in my 93, April 19, 3 p.m., I feel Conference proposal should be made direct to ex-belligerent Ministers for Foreign Affairs who should be requested to come here for that purpose. This procedure also is advisable because: (1) Zubizarreta is the most intransigent of Paraguayans neither correctly representing his Government’s opinion nor accurately informing Asunción of developments here; (2) friction between Bolivian Minister for Foreign Affairs and delegate has increased markedly during last week.
The Brazilian delegate suggests that simultaneously with the presentation of Conference proposal six mediatory Presidents should cable directly to ex-belligerent Presidents insisting that a solution be reached.
I would appreciate receiving the Department’s views and suggestions respecting the nature of pressure to be exerted. [Braden.]