723.2515/3260
Memorandum by the Assistant Secretary of State (White)
The Bolivian Minister called on the Secretary of State on Wednesday morning, February 13, and inquired regarding the present status of the Tacna-Arica negotiations between Chile and Peru.19 What he especially wanted to know was whether the negotiations are now on the basis of a division of the territory or on some other basis.
The Secretary replied that he had told the two countries when they reestablished diplomatic relations that of course he would be glad to have them carry on direct negotiations to see if they could not agree upon terms of a settlement. The Secretary had understood that negotiations were taking place principally in Lima. The Secretary was kept informed of the progress of negotiations from time to time but this information was given to him strictly confidentially and, as the United States was not a party to the negotiations and was merely kept informed confidentially through courtesy on the part of Chile and Peru, the Secretary did not feel that he was authorized to say anything regarding the matter. The Secretary suggested that the Bolivian Minister in Lima might well be able to find out the status of the matter and report it to the Bolivian Government.
The Minister thanked the Secretary and stated that he fully appreciated the situation.
The Minister then stated that his Government was perfectly willing to discuss in Washington the solution of the difficulties between Bolivia and Paraguay but that Bolivia would be willing to do so only if there were no pressure brought to bear to force her to do so, and that, should any attempt be made to put an embargo on arms against Bolivia, Bolivia would simply cut herself off and remain isolated and take [Page 843] no part in any negotiations. The Minister stated that such action would be considered as derogatory to the sovereignty of Bolivia. He added that his Government had been informed that the United States was endeavoring to line up the other countries to prohibit the transit of arms to Bolivia, and he inquired regarding it.
The Secretary replied that there had been no such action taken by the United States. One country had made inquiries some time ago of the United States of the action which it should take in the matter and the Secretary had declined to make any suggestion. The Secretary had seen in the press that Argentina had stopped certain shipments but he had made no inquiries of Argentina regarding the matter nor had the Argentine Government advised him regarding it, so all he knew was what he had seen in the papers. Similarly, there had been statements in the papers that Chile had prohibited the transit of arms and, in a conversation shortly after, the Chilean Ambassador had confirmed this. This was the only authentic information which the Secretary had on the subject.
The Bolivian Minister stated that he understood the matter fully and that he had been sure that this was the case because the United States Government, he knew, always acted in a perfectly proper manner, and that he would report this to his Government. He said the supplies that have been bought were bought under contract signed over two years ago and there have been no new contracts; that the armament was for a replacement merely to put Bolivia in a position to defend herself and not for hostile motives against any country, as Bolivia was not in an economic position to carry on such an undertaking, even should she so desire.
The Bolivian Minister went on to say that he hoped the Secretary would send for him if at any time he thought that Bolivia was not acting the way she should, to see if the matter could not be straightened out. The Secretary said he would be very glad to do so and added that the Minister would recall that when there were press statements from Paris and London regarding large shipments of arms to Bolivia he had discussed the matter with the Minister and had stated that any large acquisition of arms at this time would be most inopportune. The Minister said that that was quite right and that he had passed this word on to his Government, and that he would be very glad if the Secretary would call him at any time.
The Minister stated that he and the Paraguayan Chargé d’Affaires had agreed some time ago upon the text of an arrangement by which an exchange of prisoners would take place between Bolivia and Paraguay at Formosa in Argentina. He had received word three or four days ago that the Argentine Government consented to have the exchange take place in her territory and he was at a loss to understand why the Paraguayan Chargé would not sign. He said that the [Page 844] Chargé had stated that as the agreement said that both countries had obtained the permission of Argentina, he wanted to be sure that Paraguay had obtained the permission before signing that statement, but the Minister thought this rather strange as it was Paraguay that had suggested that the exchange take place at Formosa and Paraguay must have known then that Argentina would give her consent. He asked Mr. White, who was present, if he would discuss the matter with the Paraguayan Chargé. Mr. White stated that he would do so and that he would see Señor Ramírez in fifteen minutes, in any event, at a meeting of the Trade Mark Conference at the Pan American Union.20
Mr. White saw Señor Ramírez at the Pan American Union and the latter stated that he was expecting a reply from his Government at any moment; that he wanted to be sure that he was making a correct statement in signing the agreement and for this reason had consulted his Government three or four days ago, and that he would have an answer any moment.
Press Release Issued by the Department of State on March 11, 1929
The Commission of Investigation and Conciliation created by the Protocol signed January 3, 1929, at Washington by representatives of Bolivia and Paraguay “to establish the facts which have caused the recent conflicts which have unfortunately occurred” in the Chaco region will hold its first meeting at the Pan-American Union Building at 11 o’clock a.m., March 13, 1929.
The Secretary of State will preside.
The Commission is expected to elect a Chairman and a Secretary at this session.
Membership of the Commission is as follows:
| Bolivia | Dr. David Alvéstegui |
| Dr. E. Enrique Finot (Minister to Chile). | |
| Colombia | Dr. Raimundo Rivas. |
| Cuba | Dr. Manuel Marquez Sterling. |
| Mexico | Lic. Fernando Gonzalez Roa. |
| Paraguay | Dr. Enrique Bordenave |
| (Dr. Pablo Ynsfran, secretary)21 | |
| Dr. Francisco C. Chaves. | |
| Uruguay | Gen. Guillermo Ruprecht. |
| (Dr. Campora, secretary). | |
| United States | Brig. Gen. Frank R. McCoy. |
Copies of the complete text of the Protocol are available.