724.3415/3902: Telegram

The Ambassador in Brazil (Gibson) to the Secretary of State

129. Department’s 75, July 3, 3 p.m. delayed in delivery and badly garbled. I have consequently been able to take it up with the Foreign Minister only this afternoon. In the meantime he had received and answered a telegram from the Brazilian Chargé d’Affaires in Washington who has doubtless acquainted you with his views.

[Page 138]

Dr. Cavalcanti states the attitude of the Brazilian Government in this whole matter substantially as I have reported to the Department on previous occasions (my 80, May 15, 6 p.m.94).

Brazil is unwilling envisage any initiative so long as the matter is in the hands of the League.

2.
If the League mediation terminates or the League requests the cooperation of certain American states Brazil would be disposed to act only (a) in answer to a definite invitation (b) with the assurance that a solution has been found which would be acceptable to the two contending parties.
3.
The Brazilian Government feels that this question is not susceptible to solution by a conference as an international meeting would inevitably be utilized by the two parties to jockey for position and the possibilities of agreement would thus become more remote.
4.
Brazilian Government has no preference as to a formula for settlement and is ready to accept any formula acceptable to the two contending powers.
5.
The essential point of Dr. Cavalcanti’s statement is that the Brazilian Government is convinced that the only hope of solution lies in “negotiations in utmost secrecy” with a view to ascertaining whether any formula can be discovered which can be accepted by the two parties. If such a formula is found and definite assurances obtained as to its acceptance then only would the Brazilian Government believe in the desirability of convening an international conference. In the event this can be achieved they attach no importance to the number of American states invited to participate, as the conference would be convened merely to give public form to an agreement already reached.

Dr. Cavalcanti said he greatly hoped no conference would be called until the possibilities of private negotiation had been exhausted, as he felt that if a public discussion of this matter ended in failure it would prejudice any further move toward bringing about a peaceful solution.

The views of the Brazilian Government have been made known now or previously to the representatives of Peru and Colombia, Bolivia and Paraguay, Chile and the Argentine so that there can presumably be no misapprehension as to the Brazilian position in this whole matter.

Newly arrived Bolivian Minister has asked whether Brazilian Government would suggest to Paraguay acceptance of an agreement under which certain specified territories would be recognized to each of the parties and only a limited zone left to arbitration. He was told that the Brazilian Government would not suggest any formula of agreement.

[Page 139]

In conclusion Dr. Cavalcanti said that he was particularly anxious to work in full cooperation with the United States in this matter and would be glad to have the benefit of your views at any time they could be afforded him.

Gibson
  1. Not printed.