724.3415/3426: Telegram
The Minister in Paraguay (Nicholson) to the Acting Secretary of State
[Received December 12—12:38 a.m.]
112. After a period of comparative calm, lasting from November 17th to December 4th (which corresponds with the League Commission’s stay in Paraguay) the Paraguayan Government on December 5th launched an offensive in the Alihuata Tuya-Gondra sectors which culminated today, according to the official communiqués, in the unconditional surrender of the Fourth and Ninth Bolivian Divisions with their commanders, officers, men and material. The Paraguayans have taken Alihuata and Zenteno and are now apparently astride the [Page 372] Alihuata-Gondra road west of Gondra; the Bolivians opposite Na-nawa are retiring towards Saavedra. The Bolivians are said to be badly demoralized. The Paraguayan War Office reports the capture of 18,000 prisoners, and a great deal of material. Asunción celebrating a great victory. The President left for the front yesterday to be with the Army during the last stage of the operations which circles close to the War Office believe have disposed of a third of the Bolivian forces on the active front. Repeated to American delegation and La Paz.