WAR DECLARED

Evening Post, Volume CXV, Issue 109, 11 May 1933, Page 11

WAR DECLARED

FIRST FOR FIFTY YEARS

IN SOUTH AMERICA

PARAGUAY AND BOLIVIA

OLD GRAN CHACO DISPUTE

United I'rcss Association—By Elcptrio Telegraph—Copyright. (Received May 11, 11 a.m.) ASUNCION, May 10. Paraguay on Wednesday formally declared war against Bolivia. The two countries have been engaged in hitherto undeclared war in the Gran Chaco border area for a considerable time. President Eusebio Ayala, using the authority recently voted him by Congress, signed, the declaration at 11 a.m; The news of the signing provoked great demonstrations as soon as it reached the streets. The celebrations are the most,widespread since hostilities began. Crowds forced their way through the thoroughfares singing and^cheering. Thus for the first time for fifty; years the* Chaco dispute has reached the formal status of warfare, though for years intermittent fighting has kept both nations armed. Paraguay hopes that formal declarations of neutrality by Argentina and Chile, and perhaps by Peru and Brazil, will hamper the Bolivian importation of supplies. Both nations xare determined that the present struggle shall result^ in a definite permanent settlement of the Gran Chaco Btrife. Except for the belated entry of several South American nations into the Great this is the first declaration of war on the South American Continent since Bolivia fought Chile in 1879 over the nitrate fields.

REVIVED LAST YEAR

The dispute over the Chaco was revived with violence in July of last year, when minor engagements occurred between detachments ou the disputed frontier. After the-offices of tho League of Nations had been sought the, Paraguayan Senate, in executive session last March, voted unanimously to, authorise the Government to declare war on Bolivia. The project then went to the Chamber of Deputies, where it was expected to pass... Prosidont Ayala.called Congress in extraordinary session, and the Senate,, after several long socrot sessions attended by the Ministers of Foreign Affairs and War, voted to suspend consideration of a declaration of war for somo days. For reasons not given but,1 the Senato ignored this decision and resumed debate. . ' •' ' .. ;•:.-■, . '■ - President Ayala's message requesting the authority to declare war said Bolivian aggression had- created a state of war do facto and it was Paraguay's obligation under international law to declare that a state of war exists. ,- The Chaco war wa ; s thought to be entering its final phase at the samo time, for the Bolivian and Paraguayan replies to proposals of Argentina, Brazil, Chile, arid Peru for a settlement were considered exceptionally satisfactory. Peru's Foreign Minister, Senor Cruchaga Tocornal, explained that the . replies included a few observations of minor importance which the three neighbours aro studying, but added:— ."" , . : .; "I am completely optimistic as regards tho. work done towards mutual understanding, firmly believing the whole Chaco. problem will be brought to a successful close soon." , Diplomatic'circles believed the Foreign Ministers of Argentina, Brazil, and Chile probably would call a conference as soon as possible for a final analysis of the situation. It 'was believed an armistice might bo established immediately after the meeting, with arbitrators named to fix tho boundaries between Paraguay and- Bolivia. . .'!