724.3415/4070: Telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Brazil (Gibson)
118. Your 203, September 1, 6 p.m.26 and 204 September 4, 9 a.m. A request similar to that addressed by the Brazilian Government to the Bolivian Minister for Foreign Affairs was today made by this Government to the Bolivian Minister in Washington. The Bolivian Minister has showed me a telegram from his Government informing him of its urgent desire for a successful outcome of the present negotiations. He has further intimated that the Bolivian Government preferred the negotiations provided for in the conciliation formula with the participation of Brazil and the United States to negotiations under the auspices of the League. He has promised to cable his Government, immediately insisting that a clear statement of Bolivia’s views with regard to the conciliation formula be given Brazil and the United States before September 7th. The Bolivian Minister feels [Page 191] that his Government will be unwilling, however, to request the postponement of the action of the League under Article XV because of the general belief in Bolivia that Bolivia will be in a more favorable position before the Assembly than will Paraguay.
For your strictly personal information. I am inclined to believe that the Bolivian Government is more favorably disposed towards the present negotiations rather than a renewal of activity by the League because of the fact that the Bolivian Minister here was instructed some 2 weeks ago to proceed to Geneva to defend Bolivia’s cause before the Assembly. Upon his protesting against the instruction on the ground that he would be more useful in Washington than in Geneva, he has been permitted to remain here, and the Bolivian Government has apparently determined to present her cause in Geneva through her present delegate. If Bolivian [Government?] were determined to press the matter vigorously before the Assembly, it would seem likely that she would have selected the strongest delegation possible.