Evening star., 1932-08-02
PEACE HOPE HELD
IN CHACO DISPUTE
U. S. and Other Powers Con-
tinue Efforts to Block War
in South America.
BY CONSTANTINE BROWN.


There is still hope for a pacific set
tlement Of the Bolivian -Paraguayan
dispute over Chaco. that barren piece
of land which lies between Bolivia and
Paraguay,
Secretary StimSon discussed this mat
ter this morning over the phone from
Long Island. with Assistant Secretary
Francis White, in charge of Latin Amer
ican affairs
Although the American financial and
economic interests in both countries are
negligible-there are few mining con-
cessions in Bolivia, while in Paraguay,
America has no economic interests. the
United States Government together
with the neighbors of the conflicting
countries are making efforts to avoid
an actual state of war between the two
countries.
Both League Members.
Both Bolivia and Paraguay are men,
bers of the League of Nations and as
such compelled to submit their dispute
to the Council of the League. Bolivia,
Furthermore, is signatory of the Kel-
logg-Briand pact, while Paraguay has
merely announced her intention to ad-
here to that pact, without, however
having done so yet.
The United States and the other in
terested nations are at present endeav-
oring to make either of the peace in
struments apply to the present dispute
and. in the meantime, daily conferences
between the diplomats of the Latin
American countries are taking place in
the State Department with a view Of
finding a solution which would be ac-
ceptable to both powers and induce
4 - 20 70 1,a
dispute.
1t is admitted, however, in official
quarters that in view of the Warlike
spirit which exists at present in both
countries, the peaceful action of the
intervening powers might be nullified,
but there is still hope of avoiding an
actual war.
Dispute an Old One.
The dispute over the Chaco territory
between Bolivia and Paraguay is an
old one.
Bolivia wants to obtain access to the
Pacific Ocean by the way Of the Para
quay River; in order to attain this
aim Bolivia maintains that she needs
the Chaco territory. Paraguay, on the
other hand, maintains that that terri
tory is by right hers and denies Bo-
livia the right to occupy it and thus
reach the shores of the Paraguay River,
whence her products could be taken to
the Pacific Ocean.
During the last six months a COM
mission of arbitration for the settle
meht of the dispute had been citing Il
Washington under the guidance of As
siStant Secretary of State White, but it
has not been able to achieve any posi-
tive results.
The reason for this, it is said, is due
mainly to internal politics of the par
ties in power in both countries. In
Paraguay and in Bolivia the politicians
have been playing the we'll known
super-patriotic tune. The result is
that no compromise was reached and
at present the two countries are on the
verge of war.
BOlivia's Army Best.
Bolivia has the largest and the best
organized army of the two countries.
Her troops are well disciplined and
have been organized by former officers
of the Imperial German army. The
permanent forces of Bolivia are COM
posed of II infantry. six cavalry, and
four artillery regiments zone field, the
others mountain artillery. In addi-
tIUil W llll0 AOlNC CllC iioo oAloAl bONASo
of infantry, called columnas. These
bodies are 100000 men strong. but in
case of war. they can be raised to the
battalion strength. A small but efficient
air force supplements the available
field army.
The Paraguayan army is much
smaller 1t consists of four infantry
and one cavalry regiment and two bat
terieS of artillery. Both countries have
in case of war, national conscription;
all citizens between the age of lS and
so can be summoned to the colors.
The Paraguayan army is being in
structed by a French military mission.
Although the Bolivian army is superb
or in strength. discipline and organi-
zatior to the Paraguayan, the Bolivians
are handicapped by the fact that they
are at a considerable distance from
their base of operations.
In order to bring the necessary sup
plies to the operating army. they have
to cross a barren, hilly country, while
the ParaguayanS, If they remain on
the defensive are close to their base
of supplies