724.3415/4185: Telegram
The Ambassador in Chile (Sevier) to the Secretary of State
[Received 8:15 p.m.]
94. The Minister for Foreign Affairs this afternoon called the Counselor of the Embassy and the Brazilian Ambassador to his office and informed us that he had just received information from Geneva according to which the group of American countries had decided to request that in the Chaco Commission America should be represented by the four limitrophe countries, the five countries which form the Commission of Neutrals, and in addition Venezuela. The group decided also that the League of Nations should extend a special invitation to the United States and Brazil to collaborate with it. According to these reports the commission would be composed of the permanent members of the Council and 6 more which would make a total of 20 members. Cruchaga expressed confidence in the action of this commission and believes that it will be able to arrive at a solution of the Chaco question but he considers essential the collaboration of the United States and Brazil without whose presence in the direct negotiations this new attempt he feels would fail. In view of this he has asked me to transmit immediately to the Department the desire of Chile that the United States collaborate actively.
Both the Minister for Foreign Affairs and the Brazilian Ambassador evinced considerable fear that Saavedra Lamas, through pique or personal ambition, may attempt in one form or another to impede the labors of the commission. They expressed furthermore their belief that in case the commission decides to sit in a Latin American capital it chooses Montevideo rather than Buenos Aires since in the latter case Saavedra Lamas would undoubtedly be chosen as chairman and this would be viewed with great disfavor by Bolivia.