BL–18. Editorial Note
The Latin American edition of the March 2, 1959, issue of Time made reference to a suggestion, which the magazine attributed to an office of the United States Embassy in Bolivia, that the only solution for Bolivian problems was to abolish Bolivia and allow her neighbors to divide the country. Protests followed in the wake of publication. On March 3, a public demonstration was held, in which President Siles and other high government authorities paraded. The Bolivian Government gave orders to the police to protect the U.S. Embassy from mob action, but the demonstration became violent, resulting in damage to the Embassy and other U.S. installations and property in La Paz. The Embassy was evacuated and a number of Embassy families moved temporarily to a suburban area. Bolivian police prevented further damage to U.S. installations in La Paz, but United States Information Service offices in Potosí and Cruro were stoned and those in Cochabamba completely destroyed. Documentation concerning the disturbances is in file 724.00 and ARA/WST Files, Lot 62 D 429, “Bolivia, Time Demonstrations.”