724.3415/3161: Telegram
The Chargé in Brazil (Thurston) to the Secretary of State
[Received 4:15 p.m.]
58. The Undersecretary called me to the Foreign Office last evening on behalf of the Minister for Foreign Affairs to request that I convey to you the following viewpoint of Brazil with respect to Mr. White’s suggestion that the ABCP states and the neutrals jointly support the efforts of the League of Nations to effect a settlement of the Chaco conflict.
After recalling Brazil’s consistent support of the Neutral Commission, even in the face of resultant complications, Dr. Cavalcanti stated that, while Brazil had been glad to accept the invitation to resume with the other neighbor states meetings with the Neutral Commission, it does not approve of Mr. White’s suggestion. He stated that Brazil feels that for reasons of continental policy and tradition the problem should, if possible, be settled by American means, but if these means fail then the American peace agencies should relinquish the task for the League to take on if it so wishes. In this connection he remarked that Brazil is not a member of the League and pointed out that the League had in the first instance entered into the Chaco question without prior consultation with the neutrals. If the neutrals feel that they have failed Brazil prefers to withdraw from the negotiations. If there is still hope it will continue to give full support. It does not, however, desire to associate in a mixed American and League undertaking.
I asked if Brazil has any constructive suggestion to advance. The Undersecretary replied that it has none, but has strong reason to believe that both belligerents, but especially Bolivia, now anxiously desire to find a solution. He emphasized this.
Dr. Cavalcanti expressed the wish that Brazil might be informed of the views of the Government of the United States regarding the situation.
Today Dr. Cavalcanti requested me to add to the foregoing that Brazil has been informed that Bolivia has again asked the ABCP and neutral states to resume their good offices, which Bolivia prefers to those of the League, and that Bolivia is prepared to have the zone to be submitted to arbitration defined by the American mediators. Brazil considers this to justify continuance of American efforts.