724.3415/3126
Memorandum by the Chairman of the Commission of Neutrals (White)
On receipt of telegram No. 48 from La Paz this morning, I telephoned the Argentine Ambassador and advised him of it, and said that I hoped his Government would now cooperate with the Neutral Commission in this matter. He said that he had nothing from his Government. I asked whether he would make a suggestion to his Government along that line and if he did not want to take the initiative he might put it on me and say that I had asked him to make the inquiry. Mr. Espil asked if I had any suggestion as to what might be done if there should be a meeting. I said that one thing that might be done, which I thought would perhaps be effective, would be for the nine countries to agree to support the League’s proposal. This would put the League and the nine countries all in agreement and all working for the same object and might therefore have more chance for success. It would give the two contending parties one and only one proposal and would offer a united front by all the peacemakers. Mr. Espil said that he would take the matter up with his Government in that sense.
I tried to get the Chilean Chargé to see if he had any information but could not get him until later.
[Page 329]In the meantime I heard from Mr. Heath of the UP that he had a despatch from Santiago saying that Bolivia had replied to the Chilean note and that the Chilean Government considered the note most satisfactory and was now ready to cooperate with the Neutrals and the League. When I finally got Mr. Cohen on the phone I told him this and asked him to let me know anything he might hear from his Government. He promised to do so.
I called back Mr. Espil and advised him of the press despatch from Santiago.
I then called up the Brazilian Ambassador and, with reference to our conversation some days ago in which he had told me that his Government, in view of the withdrawal of Argentina and Chile from mediation in the matter, had decided also not to join in with the Neutral Commission,—at which time I had told him that the Argentine position apparently was not definitely to withdraw but to wait for Bolivia’s reply and if it was satisfactory to join in,—told him that I now had news that Bolivia had answered Argentina and Chile and that the Chilean Government at least found the reply satisfactory and was ready to cooperate. I told him that I was hoping that we would shortly hear from Argentina in the same sense and I also hoped he would advise his Government and see if it would not also join in. I told him I thought it would be very helpful if the nine countries would support the League proposal so that there would be but one proposal before the two combatant countries. He promised to cable his Government and to advise me of anything he might hear.