740.0011 European War 1939/29003: Telegram

The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Bolivia (Boal)

566. Referring to your 727, April 14, 3 p.m.,36 and other recent telegrams on possible adherence of Bolivia to United Nations Declaration, you were instructed on March 25, 194237 that a nation “at war” against the common enemies and “rendering material assistance and contributions” is eligible for adherence.

It is not clear whether Bolivia is “at war”, as it is stated in Bolivian memorandum contained in your 727 that the decree of April 7 constituted merely a “step toward” active belligerency. Bolivian Government will understand our responsibility in this matter, as depository for the Declaration, and mutual desirability for clarifying the point before application for adherence is made. Please ask for definite [Page 548] statement on question whether Bolivian Government considers Bolivia at war against Axis.38

For form of adherence see Iraqi note in radio bulletin of January 22, 1943. For Bolivian adherence, a similar note would be sent to us and the President of Bolivia could affix his signature while in Washington.

Hull
  1. Not printed.
  2. Instruction No. 530, not printed.
  3. In telegram No. 760, April 19, 6 p.m., the Ambassador in Bolivia reported that the Bolivian Minister for Foreign Affairs indicated that the Bolivian Government was “in a state of war with the nations of the Axis” (740.0011 European War 1939/29061).