Evening star., 1928-12-20
Suggests Deferred
Bolivian Appraisal
To the Editor of The Star:

To the Editor of The STAR
The people. government and friends
of Bolivia can with reason, ana an ap-
peal to fairness ask our people, ana
the peoples of other countries, TO Sus-
pend Judgment in the Bolivian-Para-
guayan dispute until they know the
facts.
Bolivians are not quarrelsome or
warlike people, as I know after 10
year residence in their country. They
are traditionally predisposed toward
| peace, and they know the many ad-
Vantages that come from living in friend
ly relationship with ones neighbors. 1t
may be due to that tendency and policy
that she has lost or had taken from
her in recent years nearly one-thlrd OF
her territory
The present trouble with Paraguay
grows out of a long existing dispute
over a large region-about 1OO,OoO
square miles. twice the size of the STATE
of New York-in that part OF Bolivia
known as the Gran Chaco, which lies
in the extreme southeastern part of the
country, the most remote sections from
La Paz, the capital, and very sparsely
populated. 1t borders on Paraguay, not
far-almoSt just across the River
Paraguay--from Asuncion. the capital,
and easily accessible by water and land
to the people and troops of that coun-
try. 1t is one of the great reserve parts
of Bolivia, possessing great possibilities
in agriculture and oil, capable OF Sus-
tanning a population equal almost to
the present total inhabitants of the
country, and with excellent tide-Water
connection with the Atlantic. Because
of it's location and great distance from
the populated part and cities of the
country, it is very difficult to guard
and protect that particular corner.
Situated as it is, it rs not only exposed,
but a positive temptation to a nearby
territory hungry nation.
About SO years ago Chile took from
Bolivia her entire coastal territory, IN
Guiding the fine, rich province, port and
city of Antofagasta, with its extensive
rich nitrate deposits. A few years later
Brazil took a very large area from the
northeastern part of the country, and
more recently, in a boundary dispute
settlement. Peru sliced OFF q large piece
Of the northwestern corner. For long
time Chile has been known to have a
desire to possess the southwestern part
of the country. including the province
of Cruro, in which are found the prin-
cipal and richest deposits of tin in that
country, and from which she derives
the greater part of her national revenue.
Already Chile has shown her hand in
that direction and conspicuously enough
to put Bolivia increasingly on her guard
With experience like that, it is but
natural that Bolivia should view with
apprehension and alarm the invasion
of her territory by the armed force of
bordering nation: and she demands,
as she has the right to do, and as we
or any other r1tion would do. under
the circumstances. respect for her
frontiers and the territory within.
In due time Bolivia's action and
rights will be considered by either the
League of Nations, to which, by reason
of her being a member of it, she was
obliged to submit the dispute, or other
competent tribunal. and the decision
she will await with confidence in its
righteousness, and with assurance to
all nations that it will be respected and
obeyed by her
HORACE G.. KNOWLES,
Former American Minister to Bolivia