724.3415/897: Telegram
The Chargé in Uruguay (Gade) to the Secretary of State
[Received 2:45 p.m.]
56. Ministers of Bolivia and Paraguay and Uruguayan Minister for Foreign Affairs held unsuccessful meeting regarding Chaco Boreal yesterday.
After the meeting the Minister for Foreign Affairs made the following statement:
“In view of the position taken by the representatives of the contending parties, I thought it advisable to present in the name of the Uruguayan Government a formula of conciliation which was submitted to the Paraguayan and Bolivian Governments for study. Certain objections were made by the latter and many of the conclusions were rejected by the former. Tomorrow the Uruguayan Ministry of Foreign Affairs will submit for the consideration of the Governments of both countries a formula which is enlarged and in part revised, taking into consideration the desires of each in such a manner that without friction or injury to susceptibilities we might arrive at a definite agreement.
This formula provides that the Uruguayan officers divide their tasks, one proceeding to Fort Vanguardia and the other to Fort Boquerón where the latter will await the reconstruction of the structures destroyed [Page 863] in that military post. Upon completion of this, the Bolivians will take possession of Vanguardia and the Paraguayans of Boquerón on the same day.
As the nonacceptance of this formula would signify a lack of good will, since there is only opposition to unimportant details, the Uruguayan Ministry of Foreign Affairs in that event would withdraw rom any further intervention. This would be most deplorable, for all the high aspirations of confraternity which have been manifested in the consideration of the problem and” all the extensive work done to reach a happy solution in the meetings of the neutrals held in the United States capital, would fall to the ground.
The discrepancies consist, I repeat in slight details, regarding the form in which the evacuation of Boquerón and the delivery of Vanguardia should be carried out. Our Government understands that as a proof of friendship and as the first act of a new era of peace this should be effected simultaneously.
It is to be hoped that the Uruguayan proposal will be accepted, since to refuse it would mean a return to the moment of the beginning of the conflict and this would be a constant menace to continental harmony.”
Bolivian Minister informed the press that his Government was ready to accept the proposal of the Uruguayan Government. Paraguayan Minister declined to comment.