724.3415/549b: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Chargé in Argentina (White)32
44. The Bolivian and Paraguayan Governments have agreed to place in the hands of the Commission of Inquiry and Conciliation, Bolivia and Paraguay, the repatriation of their respective nationals now detained as a result of the events of December, last, and the Commission has accepted the task of carrying out said repatriation. The Governments of the Argentine republic and Brazil have also consented to the repatriation taking place through their territories, and Formosa and Corumbá, respectively, have been designated as the places at which delivery of these nationals will be made to the neutral committees hereinafter provided for.
The Commission has unanimously agreed that the actual repatriation shall be effected by neutral committees. The Commission has appointed as a Committee to carry out the repatriation of the Bolivian nationals now held by Paraguay in Villa Hayes, the Military Attaché to the United States Embassy in Rio de Janeiro and an official or officials to be named by the Brazilian Government; and as a Committee to carry out the repatriation of the Paraguayan nationals now held by Bolivia in Villa Montes, the Military Attaché to the United States Embassy in Buenos Aires, and an official or officials to be named by the Argentine Government. You will conclude arrangements for designation of such official or officials which has been requested officially by the Commission through the Brazilian and Argentine Embassies in Washington. The Commission hereby delegates to these two Committees full powers to arrange all details in general conformity with the instructions which follow, and authorizes them to communicate directly with the Governments of Argentina, Brazil, Bolivia and Paraguay, and with the Commission directly or through any American Diplomatic Mission.
Repatriation shall be carried out as follows: All the Paraguayan nationals now held by Bolivia shall be delivered in Formosa to the neutral committee there. The Committee charged with effecting the repatriation of the Paraguayan nationals now held by the Bolivian Government is hereby empowered to arrange with the Governments of Bolivia and of the Argentine Republic to receive these nationals in Formosa in the presence of a representative of Paraguay, and in turn shall deliver them to the representative of Paraguay for transportation to their own country.33 The journey of the Bolivian and [Page 855] Paraguayan nationals from their present places of detention at Villa Hayes and Villa Montes, respectively, will begin when directed by the neutral committee concerned. The Government of Bolivia will furnish to the proper committee on its request an official list by name, rank, etc. of the one officer and twelve men it now holds, and the Government of Paraguay will similarly furnish a list of the two officers and nineteen men detained by it. The Bolivian nationals shall be received in Corumbá by the neutral committee concerned which shall satisfy itself that the identity of the individuals delivered corresponds with the official list. If and when further so instructed, the two neutral committees will, on behalf of the Commission, take the depositions of the repatriates of Bolivia and Paraguay, respectively, on the interrogatories to be furnished you by cable. In that event, the Argentine and Brazilian Governments will be asked to arrange for the taking of these depositions in accordance with their respective civil procedures and under the supervision of the neutral committee. The duly designated representatives of the Bolivian and Paraguayan Governments may be present at this time only as observers of the proceedings. The replies to the interrogatories will be telegraphed to the Commission. Pending delivery of the repatriates to the representative of their own Government and prior to the taking of their depositions, no unauthorized person shall be permitted access to them.
The expenses of the Committees will be paid by the Governments of Bolivia and Paraguay through the Commission and will include travel and other essential expenses duly certified to by the members of the Committee and subsistence of $10 gold per diem for the whole period of this duty.
Please direct the Military Attaché at your Embassy to carry out the repatriation as outlined above and to return to his post upon the conclusion thereof. When delivery of the nationals is made to the representative of their own country, that fact will be cabled to the Commission. A report of the action of the neutral committee will be submitted to the Commission by the Military Attaché. Request him to cable immediately estimate of advance of funds he will require for his committee.