Evening star., 1928-12-09
OFFICIAL PRoNOUNCEMENT.
Partial Severance Of Diplomatic ReIa-
tions Follows Attack.


tiOns Follows Attack.
BY the Associated Press.
LA PAZ, Bolivia. December 8.-The
first official pronouncement on the
frontier clash between Bolivia and Para
guayan soldiers, resulting in partial
severance of diplomatic relations be-
tween the two countries, was issued to-
night by the Bolivian government.
The pronouncement discloSes that the
Paraguayan government has requested
that a committee of inquiry provided
for by the fifth pan-American confer
ence in 1928 be appointed to investi-
gate the situation.
Bolivia'S governmental statement says
that the Bolivian Fort Vanguardia, north
of Bahia Negra on the border, with its
garrison of 35 men, was attacked by a
Paraguayan force of cavalry and in
fantry totaling 800 men. The Para
guayan forces, aided by surprise, cap
taned the fort, the statement says.
Most of the garrison were killed and a
few survivors taken prisoner and con-
Quoted to Fort Galpon, a Paraguayan
stronghold. Fort Vanguardia was then
ret afire and razed.
Considers Attack InsoIent.
"The Bolivian government" the pro-
nouncement says, considers the attack
on Fort Vanguardia insolent and men
ace to the peace and fraternity Of the
American peoples. and that it con-
stitutes an attack on It's sovereignty and
dignity. and provides motive for the
virtual rupture of diplomatic relations
with the aggressor country from whose
territory the Bolivian legation has al
ready withdrawn. Our country Will
maintain with firmness and serenity the
defense of her rights, and will not make
use of any conciliatory procedure Wnlcn
does not take in prior and full repara- l.
ton for the outrage adequate 10 Is
sovereignty and dignity"
Nevertheless, the pronouncement says,
Bolivia is prepared to CONSIDER arpltra-
ton. Paraguay's appeal for the ap-
,oojntment of a commission of inquiry Is
scored as simply showing the disloyal
and illogical conduct of the Para
ouavan government, which after Great
ing the conflict with its premeditated
attack on a Bolivian fort requests that
PROCEEDINGS be opened toward an IN
yestigation and conciliation incompat-
1ble with the dignity OF the aggrieveo
country"
Charge Given Passports.
The Paraguayan charge d'affaires was
given his passport and started unoer
guard for Peru while PRESIDENT
Siles suspended the municipal electlon
because Of the situation created by the
clash. Congress met in secret session
and a commission was appointed 70
take charge of the situation. :.
Popular demonstrations took place IN
the capital. with thousands OF citizens
parading through the streets. Tnree
cavalry souadrons were placed aoou'
the Paraguayan legation.
Elias Ayala, the Paraguayan charge
was given his passport this AFTERNOON
by Undersecretary Virreiera. the lattel
acted in the absence of his chief, Act
ing Foreign Minister Alberto Palaclos
who had journeyed to Antofagasta
Chile, in order to meet Herbert Hoover
Train Held for Him.
Ayala left Immediately under. heavy
guard for the railway junction al
Viachi, 18 miles away. A train ooune
for Guaoui, near the Peruvian bor0er
had been held for him there by the
government.
President Siles this afternoon handee
to the prefect of the department. o.
La Paz a decree SuSpenoing tne
municipal elections which were to have
been held today.
The two republics signed a protoco
in April, 1927, which established al
Buenos Aires joint commission to at
tempt a settlement Of the long stand.
ing boundary dispute. No settlement
has been reached, however, and in Oc'
tober Paraguayan newspapers clalmee
that the Bolivians were advancing into
the disputed region.
The Bolivian legation at Washing.
ton today issued formal statement
that Bolivia has established for a lont
time past many forts in the province O
Chaco Boreal. one of which was at
tackled yesterday at dawn by three
suuadrons of Paraguayan cavalry.
!. The section known as Chaco Borea
SContinued on Page Q. Column o.