724.3415/3090: Telegram
The Ambassador in Mexico (Daniels) to the Secretary of State
[Received May 12—12:43 a.m.]
93. According to the Mexico City press this morning, Mexican Foreign Office sent supplementary instructions to its Embassy, Washington, yesterday in the sense that Mexico, independently of its previous and present action on the Neutral Commission now functioning in Washington in cooperation with the ABCP group (Argentine, Brazil, Chile, and Peru) over the Paraguayan-Bolivian dispute maintains its position to give every facility and not to obstruct in the slightest way negotiations now going on for the amicable and pacific settlement of the South American conflicts it being Mexico’s only desire that the friendly discussions should be successful and it is disposed to lend its good offices in such manner and at such place as would be most helpful. Translations entire statement98 by pouch.
I called on the Minister of Foreign Affairs99 this morning (this being his regular diplomatic day) and asked him whether he had any further comments or suggestions. He replied that Mexico would be delighted to cooperate in the most effective possible way with the [Page 322] United States, the other members of the Neutral Commission and the ABCP group. He said that the situation between Bolivia and Paraguay had not changed because of the declaration of war, except in a legal sense, and he assumed that the Commission would not cease its efforts to adjust the matter satisfactorily.
Doctor Puig said that he is somewhat fearful of Chile’s attitude and added that both Chile and Argentine had direct interests in the Chaco.