740.24112 R.P./9–1444
The Chargé in Bolivia (McLaughlin) to the Secretary of State
[Received September 19.]
Sir: I have the honor to refer to the program for the replacement of Axis firms and to the Embassy’s telegram No. 1641, 9:00 a.m., September 9, 1944,51 which stated that President Villarroel had sent the Decrees concerning the replacement program to the Convention for Legislative approval, and to enclose herewith the text of President Villarroel’s message to the Convention, as well as the note received from the Foreign Office transmitting the message to the Embassy.52
As the Department will recall, the presentation of the four decrees to the Convention for legislative approval is one of the steps which the Bolivian Government agreed to take during the visit of Mr. Francis H. Russell last month as reported in the Embassy’s despatch No. 4192 of August 18, 1944.
The President’s message is translated in full, since it contains several statements of more than usual interest and constitutes what appears to be an unusually forceful and convincing document, embodying some rather original arguments. While it is impossible to estimate how much time will be required for the Convention to study and vote upon the decrees, the Foreign Minister and the President both stated prior to the opening of the debates that it was their opinion that [Page 530] approval of the decrees might be expected by the end of this month. However, in view of the serious opposition which developed on the first day of the debates (September 13), it is now thought that the decrees may not be approved at all. (See the Embassy’s telegram No. 1662 of September 14, 1944, 9:00 a.m.53)
Respectfully yours,
Commercial Attaché