Foreign Relations of the United States Diplomatic Papers, 1936, The American Republics, Volume V

724.34119/706: Telegram

The Ambassador in Argentina (Weddell) to the Acting Secretary of State⁵¹

Buenos Aires, November 24, 1936—1 p.m.
[Received 2:21 p.m.]

274. From Braden. Your 177, November 23, 6 p.m.

1. The President of the Bolivian delegation has not yet made any formal representations to the Conference but yesterday he spoke confidentially to Rodrigues Alves and me separately regarding a telegram he had received from his Foreign Office similar to statement made to the Department by the Bolivian Minister.

2. Rodrigues Alves advised him and I confirmed R. A.’s statements that our reports were that the Concepción concentration was in connection with railroad construction work, that we believed Puerto Casado concentration was for similar purposes, that we doubted any activity in Bahía Negra and therefore felt there was no basis for Bolivian concern. The Bolivian delegate appeared to be satisfied and stated that he would cable his Government the sense of our conversations.

3. R. A. is instructing the Brazilian Military Attaché in Paraguay to check the facts and we will endeavor to obtain the use of an Argentine army airplane immediately in order that one of our military observers may visit Bahía Negra and possibly Puerto Casado. [Braden.]

Weddell

51. Repeated as Department’s No. 36, November 24, 8 p.m., to the Secretary of State, then aboard the S. S. American Legion en route to Buenos Aires.