FIGHTING ON FRONTIER.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 20131, 17 December 1928, Page 11

FIGHTING ON FRONTIER.

BOLIVIA AND PARAGUAY.

TROOPS CAPTURE A FORT.

WARLIKE PREPARATIONS.

GUNS AND AEROPLANES.

STATEMENT BY MINISTER.

Austrnlian Press Association—United Sorvice (Received December 16, 6.45 p.m.) BUENOS AIRES. Dec. 15.

A message from La Paz says tho capture of tho Paraguayan fort at Bortueron hy Bolivian troops, after scvero fiffhting, was announced to-day by tho Bolivian Minister of War.

A message has been received from Santo Fe. Argentina, stating that a largo quantity of war materials, including four aeroplanes of German manufacture, unarmed, but suitablo for war purposos, passed through there to-day on (ho Avay to Bolivia. i

Another announcement from La Paz read as follows:—"New Paraguayan detachments having threatened our forts ; r> the Gran Chaco district, a sanguinary clash occurred. Our forces, after punishing their opponents, occupied Fort Boqueron. The Army has done its duty."

This announcenmt was tho first intimation that anything approaching studied military operations was in progress. The newspaper La Nacion says it is informed that a German steamer unloaded a quantity of war materials, including machine guns, ammunition, cavalry saddles and small arms. These were hurriedly placed on fast trains and despatched to La Paz. It is believed they were intended for troops which supposedly are assembling on the frontier of Bolivia and Paraguay.

NOTE FROM LEAGUE.

APPEAL FOR MODERATION.

REMINDER OF OBLIGATIONS.

Australian Press Association —United Sorvico (Roceived December 16, 6.5 p.m.) LONDON, Dee. 15.

A message from Lugano says the Council of the League of Nations has decided to send a new Note to Bolivia and Paraguay, and to despatch copies to all tho members of tho League. The Note will remind the two republics of their international obligations and appea' to them to exercise moderation. The French Foreign Minister, M. Briand, will summon a special meeting of the council if necessary.

VIEWED WITH DISQUIET

IMPRESSION IN NEW YORK. • \ COMPLETE DETAILS LACKING.

Australian and N.Z. Press Association. (Received December 16, 11.45 p.m.) NEW YORK, Dec. 15. While the League of Nations, the PanAmerican Conference, tho State Department and tho Argentine Government are attempting to mediate in tho disputo between Bolivia and Paraguay, an announcement by tho President of Bolivia, Dr. H. Siles, cabled here, that tho Bolivian army has captured a Paraguayan iort, has been received with disquiot. It is hoped this does not mean there has been an active outbreak of warfare, but complete details of tho situation are lacking.