Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-07-14
BOLIVIA AND PARAGUAY
EXCHANGE WAR PRISONERS
South American Countries, With Aid Of
Friendly Delegates, Trying to Settle
Differences Over ChacO BOreaI.
BY CASTOR NERVAL.

BY CASTOR NERVAL,
Authority on Latin American Affairs.
I'm THE midst of absolute peace two
neighboring nations are exchanging
prisoners of war in South America,
! Il however strange 1t may seem TO talk
of prisoners Of war in times of
peace. without there having existed
| for a moment q recognized state OF
belligerence between them, Bolivia and
Paraguay have held captive for six
| months the prisoners taken In the two
armed clashes between Bolivian and
Paraguayan forces, which took place
last December in the Chaco. Today,
thanks to the friendly oflces Of the
delegates Of five neutral countries, and
to the amicable spirit In which Bolivia
and Paraguay are trying to settle their
differences, the prisoners have now been
set free and are returning to their
respective countries.
Step Toward Settlement.
In this way, one more step has been
taken toward the settlement Of the In
cident which clouded relations between
Bolivia and Paraguay, and which
threatened, not long since, to bring
about q conflict which aroused the in
tereSt and fears of the, whole world.
"A
cember, forces of the regular army OF
Paraguay attacked and set fire to the
Bolivian Fort Vanguardia; some Boliv-
ian soldiers were killed and some taken
prisoners. This act, occurring while
Bolivia and Paraguay were maintaining
friendly relations, and just when they
were engaged in discussing some way
of solving their ancient boundary con-
troversy, caused the greatest surprise
- IT, Taff
but throughout the world. which reared
to And itself once more on the verge OF
another international confiagratlon,
which might later involve other South
American nations. Bolivia Immediately
broke diplomatic relations with the
Asuncion government, and Bolivian pub
lie opinion rose to extreme heights OF
INDIGNATION, demanding the aVengng
of the armed attack and the settling.
once for all. by arms, OF the penoln2
territorial dispute with Paraguay.
Real Test for Conference.
Fortunately, just at this time there
convened In Washington the Pan
American Conference on Arbitration
and Cancellation, convoked TO establish
systems of Cancellation and arbitration
among nations of our hemisphere.
Hence this high assemblage found a
wonderful opportunity to test the EN-
cacy of the new procedures now advo-
Gated for the peaceful settlements OF
international differences. At its flrst
plenary session, when the conference
had hardly been organized, speclal
committee was appointed to study the
conflict which had arisen between the
two countries represented IN the Assem-.
bly,, and the governments OF La Paz ana
Asuncion were approached, asking that
hostilitieS be suspended and that they
agree to submit the matter to peaceful,
conciliatory settlement. Thanks TO this
intervention and to the moral influence
of the League of Nations and OF many
governments Of America and Europe
which interceded to induce Bolivia ana
Paraguay to lay down their arms. I'M
mediate armed conflict was avoided and
both countries promised to follow
methods for peaceful settlement.
Demands Moral ReparationA
Bolivia, however, FIRST demanded
moral reparations. an explanation OF
| the act of aggression on the part OF
Paraguay. without this she could not
agree, in the opinion of the leaders In
La Paz, to any steps whatever toward
negotiations for Cancellation. This OBJ
stacle, which threatened an lmpaSse,
disappeared soon after, when Bolivian
forces engaged a Paraguayan detach-
ment in battle and captured the Para
guayan fort, Boqueron, which Is To-
Gated on the territory in dispute. The
outrage on Vanguardia was hence
considered avenged, and popular feeling
in Bolivia was satisfied. It then became
easy for the government Of La Paz TO
consent to the signing Of the protocol
of Cancellation which was drawn up Dy
the arbitration conference IN Washing
ton.
During the first days of this year, the
representatives of Bolivia and Paraguay
signed a protocol by which there was
created special commission OF investl-
CATION and Cancellation, for the purpose
Of investigating the incident of Fort
Vanguardia and establishing response
bility for 1t. BY this same agreement
Bolivia and Paraguay solemnly prom
| ised to cease the mobilization OF their
| troops and to prevent any movement OF
a belligerent character which might
precipitate armed conflict. So, for the
| first time. the concilist tory efforts and
| the moral pressure of the other nations
of the world stopped q war IN South
| America.
Commission Functions.
| Since March the commission created
under this protocol has been functionmg
| in Washington. It is composed OF Two
Bolivian delegates, two Paraguayan
| delegates and five neutral delegates
named by five American nations: The
Bolivians are David Alvestegui, former
minister of state, ex-chairman Of the
House of Deputies. and former minister
of Bolivia in Paraguay and Enrique
Finot. member Of the House of Depu-
ties and at present Minister Of Bolivia
In Chile. The Paraguayans are Enrique
Bordenave, former minister Of foreign
relations, and Manuel Chavez. The
| five neutral delegates are Brig. Gen
Mccoy for the United States, DR.. Mar
ouez Sterling for Cuba. DR.. Gonzalez
Roa for Mexico. Mr.. Manuel RlVas for
| Colombia and Gen. Ruprecht for Uru-
| this commission has now been working
| for more than four months 1nvesti-
| eating the antecedentS and the facts
as to the acts which took place last
| December in the Chaco. Its work has
until now been kept secret, although 1t
is known that the Bolivian and Para
guayan delegates have presented their
briefs and the corresponding replies
thereto for the information Of the COM
mission. The protocol signed In the
Pan-American Union in December set
a period of six months for the compile
| ton of the labors of the commission.
At the end of that period the COM
mission is to give its decision, indi-
eating who Is to blame for having
caused q change In the state Of peace
| full relations existing In both countries.
In December. and fixing the proper
responsibilities and indemnitieS.
Decision In September.
| Early In September, therefore, this
commission is to give It's decision. Then
ASafS If