724.3415/4030: Telegram
The Ambassador in Argentina (Weddell) to the Secretary of State
[Received 5:30 p.m.]
132. By appointment I met the Minister for Foreign Affairs and the Brazilian Ambassador at the latter’s residence yesterday afternoon. The Bolivian Minister was present.
The Minister for Foreign Affairs stated that following a visit just received from the Paraguayan Minister he felt at liberty to inform the Bolivian Minister of Paraguay’s unconditional acceptance of the Argentine Peace Formula.
The Bolivian Minister while registering no surprise stated he considered the news important and would inform his Government. Asked if he thought his Government would also accept the formula unconditionally he replied negatively declaring that the phrase “without reservations” in the Paraguayan letter of acceptance then shown to him was not clear. After sustaining this viewpoint for some time he shifted the discussion to clause VII of the formula declaring this to be “vague and uncertain” arguing at length that it was necessary before proceeding further to fix with Paraguay exactly what was to be submitted to arbitration.
After the departure of the Bolivian Minister the Brazilian Ambassador showed us a telegram from his Government stating that its Minister in La Paz was being instructed to push Bolivia for an unconditional acceptance of the formula.
The Minister for Foreign Affairs declared if these attempts to achieve peace failed he was inclining to the belief that the representatives of Argentina, Brazil and the United States should draft and make public a document setting forth the negotiations which would pillory Bolivia in world public opinion. I made no reply.
Since drafting the foregoing I have received the Department’s 91, August 20, 7 p.m., which I am carefully studying.