824.00/3225b: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Brazil (Caffery)
1695. With reference to my telegram 1620, May 2, 8 p.m.,90 I am summarizing the essence of Ambassador Warren’s report on Bolivia.91 Although the report is today being sent to all Missions in the other American Republics and the Emergency Advisory Committee for Political Defense by courier, I am anxious that this summary reach Aranha at the first opportunity and that you telegraph me any information, suggestions or comments he offers. I am also handing Warren’s report to the Chiefs of Mission of the American Republics in Washington (exception being made of Bolivia and Argentina).
I wish you would mention to Aranha that I have received his letter of May 17,92 to which I am giving the closest attention. On first reading, it seems to me there is no essential difference between his views toward the Bolivian situation and my own. At the very first opportunity, I shall give my attention to replying to Aranha’s most interesting observations.
Please remind Aranha of the difficulties of briefly summarizing Warren’s report and indicate that he will probably wish to consider details of the full report upon arrival.
The summary follows:
The original Junta was composed of eight leading members of the MNR and five young military officers. This was a marriage of convenience, which led to an immediate bill of divorcement when it became apparent that the pro-Nazi record of the MNR leaders made recognition by the other American republics impossible. There is now no MNR official in any position of prominence in Bolivia.
[Page 464]The Provisional Government has variously manifested its pro-United Nations sympathies by accelerating the production of strategic materials and conserving them for the war effort, by legislation providing for the expropriation of Axis firms, several of which have already been nationalized, and by the expulsion of the core of Axis aliens whose continued presence in Bolivia represented a constant threat to hemispheric defense.
President Villarroel has shown himself to be moderate, yet forceful, and it is believed that he has the support of the majority of labor groups and of the independent political parties. The Provisional Government is believed to dominate the political situation. Also, it is believed that the Provisional Government is sufficiently strong to maintain itself in office, and that Villarroel will be elected President with or without recognition. Recognition would hasten the trend toward cooperation between the Provisional Government and the traditional political parties.