Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-01-13
LEAGUE CLAIMING
MEDIATION CREDIT
Spokesman Say 1t Played
Major Part in Averting
Bolivian War.
BY FREDERIC WILLIAM VILE.

BY FREDERIC WILLIAM VILE.
While Secretary Kellogg. as chairman
of the recent pan-American Conference
through its efforts" that a Bolivian
Paraguayan war was prevented, the
League of Nations interpoSes a demur-
rer to that contention. Information de-
rived by this writer from an authorita-
tive quarter indicates that the Geneva
organization is not disposed to let the
Pan-American Union monopoliZe the
South American peace laurels. They
belong largely, if not entirely, accord
ing to League spokesman, to the So
ciety of Nations" on the Quai Woodrow
Wilson. Both Bolivia and Paraguay
are members of the League. The
League Council. under the energetic di-
rection of its acting president, M.
BRAND of France, cleared for action
as soon as war threatened. The Coun-
Gil urgently advised pacific settlement.
Its admonitionS were accepted. Peace
was not broken. Hence-aS Geneva
sees 1.-THE League emerges from its
first test as a South American peace
keeper with flying colors.
1t will probably come as, surprise
to most Americans to learn that there
were "behind-the-SceneS negotiations
with the United States Government
and Others" which, Geneva informa-
ton alleges, really constituted the
most important feature of the whole
Bolivian-Paraguayan incident" Secre-
tary Kellogg was interested in prevent
ing war for two reasons. He is not only
this country's Secretary of State, but
was acting as chairman of the pam
American, arbitration and Cancellation
conference in Washington. This would
explain the Leagues assertion that FAR
from diScouraging any action on the
part of Geneva, the United States Gov
eminent expressed its satisfaction at
the attempts the League was making
to preserve peace"
Held Far-Reaching Result.
There appears to be no disposition on
the part of the international organiZa-
ton in Switzerland to minimize the role
of the pan-American Conference, but it
is fiat-footedly declared at Geneva that
the Bolivian-Paraguayan dispute was
settled largely through the interview
ton of the League Council" 1t Is fur
Their insisted that "the League has GER
tainly done something to establish its
position on the American continent and
to pave the way for collaboration with
the United States on political questions"
League authorities consider this an
extremely important result which may
have considerable consequence in the
future"
Washington is just N receipt OF
copies of the official memorandum
issued by the League secretariat on the
Bolivian-Paraguayan conflict. 1t reads,
In part, as follows;
ON December IL the secretary gen.
eral of the League reminded both Bo-
hvia and Paraguay that by signing the
covenant they had solen1nly pledged
themselves to seek by pacific means the
solution of the dispute arising between
them. Paraguay telegraphed that she
did not refuse any Cancellation proceed
IRE, still less the procedure laid down
i'll conventions to which she has given
her solemn acceptance Bolivia tele-
graphed that the Councils communica-
ton had been submitted to the Presi-
dent of the republic. On December IA
the President and foreign minister Of
Bolivia telegraphed that the Council of
the League and its president might rest
assured that Bolivia would not depart
from the principles and obligations con-
tanned in the covenant Of the League"
Various Steps Detailed.
After detailing the various steps then
taken by the League Council, which was
about to close its ordinary session at
Eugano, the Geneva official statement
points out that President BRAND and
Secretary. General Drumond proceeded
at Paris ito certain number of con-
! versations with view to examining the
possibility of facilitating settlement of
the Bolivian-Paraguayan conflict" It
appears to have been at this juncture
that acknowledgements negotiations"
with the United States were initiated.
The League statement continues:
"On December 10 Mr. BRAND con-
ferred with the Bolivian and Paraguay
an Ministers; with the Argentine
charge d'affaires, whose government
was endeavoring to persuade the parties
to agree to mediation, and with the
charge d'affaires Of the United States,
q representative of the Government be-
Conference. In his conversations with
the Argentine and United States
charges d'affaires. the president of the
Council explained that unless the Be-
livian and Paraguayan governments &C
/ cepted during the next few days in one
form or another mediation enabling a
settlement of the dispute by pacific
! means to be contemplated, it would be
difficult for the Council not to take
decision to hold an extraordinary Ses-
sion to examine what measures should
be taken. That would be the case either
I because war would have broken out. or
t because it would be on the point of
breaking out between two members of
the League Of Nations.
THE president of the Council added
that he would consider as essential the
establishment of complete coordination
between all those who were working to
Sacure the settlement of the dispute by
F.. pacific means On the 18th press
dispatches reported that Bolivia accept
ed the mediation of the Pan-American
Conference, of which Paraguay had al
ready declared its acceptance in the
aforementioned telegram to the presi-
dent of the Council. This news was
confirmed by telegram from the Be-
Gvian government dated December 49,"
On December 10 the president of the
League Council was able 20 inform its
members that he would MT be obliged
to convene them for an extraordinary