835.01/8–844: Telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to the Chargé in Bolivia (McLaughlin)
814. Dorado,69 under instructions from his Government, called at the Department on August 4 to state that Bolivia was completely in [Page 342] agreement with our stand on Argentina and that the Bolivian Government’s note to the Embassy70 was merely to give a complete background of the Bolivian position, intending no criticism of action on our part; that the portion of his Government’s note comparing the prices paid for rubber by the Rubber Development Corporation and Argentina was inserted at the instance of certain self-seeking businessmen; that Bolivia would continue to supply us with rubber and quinine despite Argentine pressure and offers of higher prices; and that the Bolivian Ambassador to Argentina would remain in La Paz.
Dorado said that Martín Gras71 was exerting great pressure to have an Ambassador depart for Buenos Aires, but that the Government would stand firm. He said it would probably be impossible for Bolivia to make a public statement concerning Argentina. An officer of the Department stated his personal opinion that Bolivia was doing about as much as she could at present, but that as Bolivia strengthened her position with our assistance she would be able to take further steps.
- Carlos Dorado Chopitea, Counselor of the Bolivian Embassy.↩
- Memorandum of July 24, 1944, transmitted to the Department in despatch 4088, July 26, from La Paz (not printed); it emphasized the treaties and conventions that tied Bolivia to Argentina, the dependence of Bolivia on Argentine materials, and the favorable prices of Argentine commodities (724.35/7–2644).↩
- Gen. Martín Gras, Argentine Ambassador to Bolivia.↩