DANGER OF WAR

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 72, 18 December 1928, Page 11

DANGER OF WAR

BETWEEN BOLIVIA AND PARAGUAY SANGUINARY CLASH ON FRONTIER GREAI EXCITEMENT IN BOTH COUNTRIES (United Press Association.—By Electric Telegraph.-Copyright.) (Australian Press Assn.—United Service.) La Paz (Bolivia), December 15. An official Government announcement reads: “New Paraguayan detachments having threatened our forts in the Chaco, a sanguinary clash occurred. Our forces, after punishing their opponents, occupied Fort Boqueron. The army has done Its duty.” This announcement is the first intimation that anything approaching studied military operations has been in progress. OVER A HUNDRED KILLED (Australian Press Association.) (Rec. December 17, 7.5 p.m.) La Paz, December 16. There are unofficial reports of fighting in the Chaco district. It is said that more than a hundred Paraguayan soldiers have been killed. The Bolivian losses were light. The latter captured many prisoners. PARAGUAYANS DRIVEN BACK (Australian Press Association.) (Rec. December 17, 8.55 p.m.) Asuncion, December 16. Bolivian troops attacked Fort Mariscal Lopez, in the Gran Chaco territory, driving back the Paraguayan defenders, who were forced to retreat after “energetic resistance.” It is also reported that Paraguayan troops are occupying forts Valoys and Riverola, and General Guemes has retired to his bases in view of the advance of Bolivian troops. Greatly intensified military activity is reported along the frontier. WAR MATERIAL FOR BOLIVIA LANDED BY GERMAN STEAMER (Australian Press Assn.—United Service.) Buenos Aires, December 15. “‘La Nacion” says that it has been informed that a German steamer unloaded material, including machine guns, ammunition, cavalry saddles, and small arms, and hurriedly placed them on fast trains bound for La Paz. It is believed the material is intended for troops supposed to be assembling, on the Bolivian-Paraguayan frontier. Santa Fe (Argentina), Dee. 15. A large quantity of war materials, including four aeroplanes of German manufacture, unarmed, but suitable for war purposes, passed through here on Saturday for Bolivia. PARAGUAY MOBILISING (Australian Press Association.) Asuncion, December 16. The Paraguayan Government has officially announced the mobilisation of all men between 18 and 28. The population received the news with great excitement. The mobilisation followed the capture of the Paraguayan fort. OVER TEN THOUSAND VOLUNTEERS (Rec. December 17, 7.5 p.m.) Asuncion, December 16. The danger of war between Bolivia and Paraguay became more acute when the population demonstrated in favour of the Governn mt’s mobilisation action. as a result of which over ten thousand volunteered, amid scenes of great enthusiasm. The capital and provincial districts are gripped by tremendous excitement. Reports state that Bolivian troops are massing in the region of the Mennonite settlements. It is also reported that a Bolivian aviator dropped four bombs in Paraguayan territory, all of which failed to explode. A number of retired Chilian officers have offered to aid Paraguay, if necessary. (Rec. December 17, 11.45 p.m.) Asuncion. December 17. The decree mobilising classes between 18 and 29 years was published yesterday. The action is declared necessary for defence. LEAGUE’S NOTE TO BOTH COUNTRIES OBLIGATIONS UNDER COVENANT (British Official Wireless.) Rugby, December 16. Regarding the dispute between Bolivia and Paraguay, the League Council yesterday agreed on the t( xt of a Note , these two countries, and decided to send copies of the correspondence to all States that are members of the League and non-member . fates on the American Continent. M. Briand,. as President of the Cetin was invited t< keep in touch wit’ the situation, and, if necessary, to summon an extraordinary meeting of the council. The Council’s Note underlines Bolivia's declaration that she will not depart from her obligations under the League Covenant and Paraguay’s assurance faithfully to full” her obligations and accept any procedure for the settlement of the dispute. Attention is drawn to tlie fact that the States cannot, without breaking their engagements. fail to have recourse to one or other of the procedures provided in the Covenant, whose terms are cited with special reference to Articles 12 and 13. The two Governments are r.lso warned of the importance of carefully Uniit-

ing their measures of self-defence in such i manner that they could not be interpreted as aggressive. HOPES FOR SETTLEMENT DWINDLING LITTLE RESPONSE TO LEAGUE (Australian Press Association.) (Rec. December 17, 7.5 p.m.) La Paz, December 16. The Bolivian populace is in a high pitch of excitement due to the official report of a Bolivian victory over Paraguayan troops on Saturday on the frontier. Hopes for a pacific settlement of the trouble have been brought to a low point. There is little response given to the League of Nations’ suggestions for a settlement. A Note addressed to the League stated: “The Encounter was the ‘logical consequence’ of aggression instituted by Paraguay.” BOLIVIA’S EXPLANATION SENT TO BRIAND PARAGUAYANS PREPARED TO ATTACK (Australian Press Assn.—United Service.) (Rec. December 17, 10.5 p.m.) London, December 16. The Bolivian Government has sent M. Briand, as Acting-President of the League Council, an explanation of the action on the Paraguayan frontier. The Government says that Bolivia found it necessary to take precautions because it feared further frontier clashes. These fears proved justified. “Fresh detachments of Paraguayan troops were prepared to attack Bolivian forts, which caused a fresh clash. They were driven back and our troops occupied Fort Boqueron. Paraguay recentlv built this fort on territory to which Bolivia has always had an indisputable right. Complying with our International obligations we hasten to inform the League Council of these developments, which are a natural consequence of Paraguay’s attack. Paraguay stands convicted of breaking pacts and failing in the duty of civilised nations to keep the peace.” LEAGUE COUNCIL MAY HOLD EXTRAORDINARY SESSION (Australian Press Assn.—United Service.) (Rec. December 17, 10.15 p.m.) Lugano, December 17. As a result of the fighting between Bolivia and Paraguay, the League Council may hold an extraordinary session in Paris. DISQUIET IN UNITED STATES (Rec. December 17, 7.5 p.m.) New York, December 15. While the League of Nations and the Pan-American Conference, the United Sates State Department, and the Argentine Government are attempting to mediate between Bolivia and Paraguay in their dispute, the announcement by the Bolivian President that the Bolivian army has captured a Paraguayan fort has been received with disquiet. It is hoped that this does not mean an active outbreak of warfare, but complete details of the situation are lacking. WAR ACTIVITIES OPENED tAustrallan Press Assn —United Service.! (Rec. December 17, 7.5 p.m.) Washington, December 16. Official advices from the Paraguayan Government to its legation here on Sunday night stated: “Bolivia has opened war activities against Paraguay.” OFFERS TO MEDIATE FROM THE POPE AND KING OF SPAIN (Austr.illan Press Assn.—United. Service.! (Rec. December 17, 8.55 p.m.) La Paz, December 16. Pope Pius and the King of Spain are among those who have offered their good offices for a settlement of the dispute with Paraguay, according to an announcement by the foreign Minister, Dr. Elio.