724.3415/4351: Telegram
The Consul at Geneva (Gilbert) to the Secretary of State
[Received November 19—6:30 p.m.]
334. Consulate’s 333, November 19, 5 p.m.77 Avenol asked me to come to see him this evening and raised the following points with me respecting the report of Assembly Chaco Committee.
1. He inquired whether the United States might not be able to express some approval or perhaps indorsement of the report.
I replied that I had no knowledge as to Washington’s opinion or position respecting the report but that in any event I doubted the expediency of the United States taking any position while League action was still pending—in other words, before action by the Extraordinary Assembly.
2. He then took up the provision in the report as follows:
“XII. A Neutral Supervisory Commission shall be set up consisting of six members designated by the Argentine, Chile, Peru, Uruguay … respectively.”78
It will be noted that this leaves the Assembly to take action respecting the completion of the composition of the Neutral Supervisory Commission.
Avenol stated that he would prefer that the Assembly complete this provision by adopting a formula under which participation or cooperation by the United States and Brazil might be sought but under which if one or both indicated unwillingness to participate the participation of other states could later be arranged for. He stated, however, that there were delegates to the Assembly who might insist on no change in the terms of this paragraph which would mean that the Assembly would have to act definitely to complete the full six members of the Commission.
[Page 111]Avenol expressed the hope that Washington could indicate its attitude in this respect in such a manner that he could confidentially employ it to guide Assembly action along the most desirable lines.
3. Avenol discussed the contemplated peace negotiations at Buenos Aires and stated that it would be helpful for him to know if the United States would be inclined to participate.
4. He spoke in the same terms concerning the Advisory Committee.
5. Respecting questions raised in paragraphs 3 and 4 above, I stated that I did not feel that these were urgent but that I would forward his inquiry.
6. Consulate’s 327, November 17, 3 p.m.79 I would appreciate knowing, and also would like to inform radio nations [stations?], if receipt by wireless was satisfactory.