Evening star., 1928-12-25
BY JOSE p. GUGGIARI,
President of Paraguay.

North American Newspaper Alliance
ASUNCION, Paraguay, December Is.
On the western side of the Paraguay
River extends a vast territory, several
| thousand square miles. Since colonial
days this territory, Gran Chaco, has
been a part of the jurisdiction of the
government of Asuncion.
This can be easily explained. Asun-
cion, as capital of the Province of Para
quay, was the most important colonial
ton nucleus of all districts adjoining
the river of the same name. 1t was in
Asuncion, therefore, that the Spaniards
concentrated their efforts to dominate
the neighboring regions, including Gran
Chaco.
When independence was attained, the
territory of Gran Chaco naturally be-
came part of the territorial estate of
the new Republic of Paraguay, which in
herited the Spanish Province of Para
quay. Nobody ever seriously disputed
this.
1t is true that after Paraguay's war
against the triple alliance, from 1865 to
1870, difference arose with Argentina,
which considered herself as having GER
tain rights to the part of Gran Chaco
extending to the north of Asuncion.
Hayes Ruled for Paraguay.
But when this litigation was sub
mitted to the arbitrational decision of
Rutherford Hayes, President Of the
United States, the American Executive,
in view of the titles demonstrated to
y AaG iVN fo nf po
stated that my country was the legiti-
mate owner of this territory.
These, generally, are the historical
antecedenIs relating to the Chaco.
cause of the conflict between my coun-
try and Bolivia.
Thus the following question comes
to my mind: If Paraguay is the exclu-
sive owner of Gran Chaco, even having
an arbitrational decision in its fave,
how can it be explained that Bolivia
appears now as rival of Paraguay for
the ownership of Chaco?
To answer this question I shall give
little more background:
Bolivia inherited the Spanish province
of High Peru adjoining the border of
Paraguay. precisely at the northern edge
of Gran Chaco. The boundaries between
the provinces had not been properly
outlined. The territorial boundaries of
the colonial era were somewhat vague,
and remained so after independence was
gained.
To eliminate this impression OF un-
certainty Paraguay and Bolivia signed
three boundary treaties. from 1879 to
1894. which were not ratified later for
reasons too long to specify here.
Suffice it to say. though, that in all
three treaties Paraguay and Bolivia re-
ferred to the question as q "demarcatiOn
of boundaries" 1t was never, in any
sense. considered matter affecting the
domination of Gran Chaco, whose Para
guayan ownership was never doubted.
However, following political perturba-
tions in Paraguay in 1904, Bolivia began
to change its tactics and to expand its
ambitions. 1t clandeStinely established
various forts, and it evidently had the
intention of erecting more, toward the
east, with the aim of occupying as large
part of the territory as possible, in
order to enjoy the protection of a de
facto occupation for backing Its preten-
sions in future parleys.
Dead Line" Established.
As Paraguay had to oppose some sort
of wall to this. an agreement was
reached in January, 1907 by which q
zone was marked in which neither
Bolivians nor Paraguayans could ad-
vance until the boundary dispute was
settled through the arbitrational de-
cision of the President of Argentina.
Unfortunately, the President of Ar
gentina resigned as arbiter because of q
brutal aggression against the Argen-
tine legation in the capital of Bolivia.
AS the danger of clashes between
troops of the two countries which went
too near each other was ever there, 1t
Woc fn he taf,
arranged in the treaty of 1907 through
four successive protocols. signed in 1918,
1915, 1917 and 1918 This meant that
neither Bolivia nor Paraguay could ad-
vance toward the east from the lines
of the meri6ians 81 degrees minutes
and 81 degrees 80 minutes Greenwich.
While Bolivia appeared to respect
these agreements, and even in 1928,
through President Saavedra. stated that
1t was strictly observing the status QUO,
its advances continued, clandestinely
and Systematically. not only within the
zone declared neutral, but also within
the region expressly granted to Para
quay.
While accumulating all sorts of war
elements. in which it was investing up
to so per cent of its national income,
Bolivia no longer cloaked its intention
to face the problem as a dispute on the
domination OF Gran ChacO, and en-
deavored to represent Paraguay as a
mere pretender to that vast territory.
Incidentally, must remark that all
efforts in behalf of civilization notice.
able in Gran Chaco are exclusively due
to Paraguay. Gran Chaco, because of
Paraguayan work. is now an enormous
industrial and cattle center, maintained
by the arms and intelligence of my
countrymen. If Bolivians have entered
this region their entrance has been of
a military nature. In front of a dozen
Bolivian forts Paraguay has created
hundreds of cattle establishments.
Paraguay Credited With Progress.
The great tanning factories and
sugar centrals which fill with the smoke
of their chimneys what formerly was
wilderness In Gran Chaco, the railroads
crossing the beautiful plains, the ships
which navigate the rivers, the thou
sands of agricultural, forest and indus
trial workers who sprinkle woods and
meadows with the sweat of their
brows. the evangelizing missions which
redeem the native population, the set
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