Evening star., 1928-12-25

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tiers who have built cities in the in.
terior-all these are due to Paraguay
But while Paraguay was doing this
Bolivia confined itself to the erection
of clandestine forts in the farthermost
spots in Gran Chaco.
OF course, Bolivia could not do any
thing else. 1t is a country where nine
tenths Of the population are full blood
ed indians, and lacking resources to re-
deem such a territory.
In Paraguay there Is not single
negro. The Indians number scarcely
$4,000. A white race, strong, healthy
civilized and work-loving. lives in my
country. There are thousands OF
schools for the education of the people
Bolivian advances, repeat, brought
to Paraguay realization that 1t was
urgent to establish modus vivenoi be-
tween the countries while the boundary
question was being settled. Without
modus vivendi, because of Bolivian in
temperance, the danger of deplorable
clashes could not be dispelled. But
from several years back to the present,
Bolivia has obstinately refused to recog-
nize the status quo of 1907, wishing to
keep free to continue its usurpations in
Gran Chaco, even though they meant
violations of solemn pacts.
Peace Conference Failed.
Last year, when delegates of both
countries met in BuenoS Aires, through
the initiative of the Argentine govern
ment. to settle the existing differences,
the conferences failed owing to the
stubborness of the Bolivians They
did not wish to hear anything about the
modus yiyendi, which was necessary,
because. II the boundary dispute was
submitted to arbitration, the lack OF a
modus vivendi might cause incidents
which would not permit waiting
TRANQUILITY for the decisions OF the
arbiter. This is just what happened
In the latter part OF last August,
patrols attached to the garrison OF
Bahia Negra, in the northern region OF
the Paraguay River, 1000 kilometers
from Asuncion, surprised six high chiefs
of the Bolivian army in the neighbor-
hood of Fortin Galpon c. fortl.
AS Bolivians had never before en-
tered that territory. which had always
been held by Paraguay. 1t was Logical x
assume that the military men OF tn'
neighboring country had not gone tnert
with holy intentions. They were freet
Immediately, however, and Bolivia wa
told of the bad impression their incur
sion had created in Paraguay, ana re-
nuested that no repetition be allowed
Had Bolivia nurtured the same friend
ly feelings existing in my country, tha
request would have prevented any new
incursion. But, acting against elementa
principles of caution, or rather, adopt
ing an openly provocative attitude,
Bolivian column three months late
reached the same place and established
o fort.
Invasion Leads to Battle.
Learning Of this, the chief Of thu
garrison at Bahia Negra sent q detach
ment to demand that the Bolivian
leave. Our forces were received Will
bullets, and battle ensued. It endet
with the capture of some of the invader
and the dispersal of the rest.
In view OF the gravity Of what has
taken place, my government, wishing q
avoid further incidents that might Leaf
both countries into war, fastened, II
accordance with the Gondra pact, sub
scribed at the fifth Pan American Con
ference, and accepted by Bolivia las
July, 10 TcQueSt lLlC dPPoAANACho va a.
investigating committee, so responsible
ity could be fixed.
Bolivia, however, as answer to tn
conciliatory attitude of my government
gave passports to the Paraguayan repre-
sentative at La Paz, who had to leav'
his post in the midst of various troubles
Afterward, facing a request from tn
Montevideo Permanent Commission
created by the Gondra pact, Bolivia Sait
that it had not adhered to the Gondr:
pact because this adhesion had not We
been ratified by the Senate.
Refusing to follow the procedure sug.
gested by my government, Bolivia re-