824.00/8–2749: Telegram
The Chargé in Bolivia ( Espy ) to the Secretary of State
priority
481. President Urriolagoitia1 urgently summoned me to palace from which interview I have just returned (6 p. m.). President gave me following account what has occurred in revolutionary uprisings
Santa Cruz is definitely in control of MNR and fighting is continuing [Page 526] in Cochabamba. Rest of country however including Oruro, Potosi, Tarija and along border with Argentina is quiet and under control of government. At Potosi MNR took [sic] this morning seized police station but army troops were moved in today and now in control. Situation at Sucre is unknown, however, as it has been impossible establish communications with that city.
As regards Cochabamba, according to President group of army officers of Estado Mayor plus army garrison of approximately 200 troops joined with band of MNR civilians in uprising. Police there has remained loyal together with some of army and fighting is taking place between two groups partly in center of town and partly at airport. I gathered from what President said latter is a “no man’s land”. The two military airplanes that were at airport were flown off, and President referred to Santa Cruz radio reports in belief that they have gone to Argentina or some other southern country to pick up Paz Estenssoro and other MNR leaders and bring them back to Bolivia. He has no definite information this respect. 2,000 troops are being sent from Oruro to Cochabamba and it is expected that they will arrive there by dawn tomorrow morning.
President said all was tranquil in La Paz following some arrests made last night.
Following this description developments President asked whether there were any US military planes in this country. Informed him that we had one mission and one air attaché plane here. He then said that due to fact that number of Bolivian planes were tied up in air field Cochabamba and lack of other Bolivian planes army was short of this form mobile transportation and he inquired whether if need should arise, our two planes could be made available for transport of oil and gasoline et cetera. He stated that he did not anticipate making this request but he wished learn in advance my view. I refrained from offering any comment except to say that I, of course, had no authority to make planes available and that I would have to receive instructions from my government. I assume that Department and NME would not be willing to grant such permission and I strongly urge refusal. Immediate telegraphic reply however is requested.2
I had previously requested appointment with Foreign Minister.3 However, as occasion of my audience with President presented itself beforehand and as Foreign Minister, General Rivera, Commanding General of Army, and Colonel Terrazas4 later joined meeting, I took [Page 527] opportunity inquire regarding safety American citizens particularly in mining camps. I repeated to President information I had received from Mr. Deringer5 from Catavi and Deringer’s view of possibility serious danger safety Americans should revolution appear to be gaining ground (see Embtel 4806). I stressed that I did not wish advise Americans leave mining camps unless it was case their immediate danger particularly avoid further uneasiness and tension created by their evacuation and also as regards unnecessarily upsetting Americans themselves. President stated that government has no information of any disturbances or threats of disturbances in any of mining centers, in which General Rivera concurred, but promised me that should any likelihood of danger safety of Americans or other foreigners appear he would so immediately advise me. I politely reiterated to President that I had to consider safety of Americans and, of course, as they were here in Bolivia it would be responsibility of his government to assure them full protection.
As I was leaving palace I met Deputy Carlos Gonzalo de Saavedra, with whom I spoke for a few minutes. He gave me further details of debate that occurred in Congress this morning, in which Jose Antonio Arze viciously attacked US for imperialism et cetera and Saavedra forcefully refuted Arze’s statements. Saavedra said that he and his party would continue to oppose Arze and uphold American friendly and cooperative relations with Bolivia.
Military mission here has been in communication mission officers Cochabamba; all Americans safe and remain in homes.
Pass to NME repeated Buenos Aires, repeated Lima, Santiago pouch.
- Enrique Hertzog, President of Bolivia since 1947, had stepped aside in May 1949 for reasons of health leaving Vice President Mamerto Urriolagoitia as Acting President. Mr. Hertzog formally resigned on October 18, and Mr. Urriolagoitia was inaugurated on October 24 to serve the remainder of the 4-year term.↩
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The Department’s telegram 218, August 28, to La Paz read as follows:
“If pressed reply question raised Pres (urtel 481, Aug 27) shld state no auth recd make use US mil planes in Bol. For ur info Dept does not approve use US mil planes support such mil operations.” (824.00/8–2749)
↩ - Alberto Saavedra Nogales.↩
- Col. David Terrazas, Chief of Staff of the Bolivian Army.↩
- DeWitt C. Deringer, manager of the Patiño mines at Catavi.↩
- Not printed.↩