824.00/958
Memorandum by Mr. Andrew E. Donovan of the Division of the American Republics to the Assistant Chief of the Division (Briggs)
Mr. Briggs: While I believe that the question of recognition does come up in the present case in Bolivia, it might be prudent, in view of the world situation, simply to continue relations with the Quintanilla government. When Busch took over the government on April 24, 1939 and dissolved the Congress, he was the constitutionally elected president and it was decided that the question of recognition was not involved. However, in the present case, if the constitution should be in effect the Vice President, Enrique Baldivieso, would normally become President. Since he did not and since Quintanilla announced that he assumed office “by the will of the armed forces and with the unanimous approval of the members of the Cabinet”, there appears to have been a definite break in … normal procedure … in Bolivia.
The true nature of the new Government is difficult to judge as Quintanilla is strongly pro-German but the return of Ostria Gutierrez to the Cabinet is encouraging as the Legation had reported that his resignation was motivated not only by his disagreement with the nationalization of the Central Bank “but also by his lack of sympathy with the general policies of the Government, somewhat too radical for a middle-of-the-roader of his tendencies” (despatch no. 595, August 412). …
I have therefore drafted the attached telegram13 to La Paz to continue relations with the Quintanilla government.