NationStates Jolt Archive

La Paz Times,
August 13th 1920

Coup d'etat finaly over!

After a month of fighting between the government military and the rebels backed by the Conservative party, the goverment forces have been defeated and President Guerra has been deposed. The 20 year rule by the Liberal party is over.

The Conservative party met yesterday and anounced that elections will take place in late September. Rosa Bautista Saavedra Mallea is expected to win the election over the other nominies.

Though some liberals are enraged that they were kicked out of rule by the military, most Bolivians are happy that this is all over.

Mallea is reported to have said in a speech yesterday, "Bolivia will soon become a stable democratic nation, and one day a great nation on the South American and World stage."

The interim govermnet in La Paz has released its diplomatic standings with other nations of the world:

Allied:
None.

Friendly:
Columbia (Viewed by Bolivia as the model of democracy in Latin America)

Neutral:
Brazil (Hope to establish friendly relations with them)
Chile (Old grudges are starting to disappear)

Wary:
Venezuela (Most Bolivians see Venezuela as an extention of Germany, and fear it could go Communist)

Hostile:
None

War:
None

La Paz Times,
August 21, 1920

Government Calling For Aid

The interim government here in La Paz has formaly asked for aid from Colombia. One member of Congress said, "Lets hope that they will answer our calls for help."

Colombia will gladly answer this call, from their Bolivian brothers. Colombia also would like to know if Bolivia is interested in signing the Pan-American Treaty. (I'll get the link to you sometime, Im going out now)

La Paz Times,
September 9th, 1920

Colombia Agrees to Send Aid

The Colombian government has Promissed to send aid to Bolivia. How much aid that is to be sent is still unknown.

Voting Started

The vote for the new President started yesterday, and voting for Congress is scheduled to start tommarow.

Chile wishes to invite Bolivia to join together for mutual commodity marketing. We believe that this will be beneficial in setting prices for our Copper and your Tin in the world markets. We are also offering passage to our ports for Bolivian goods. Mutual tarrif elimination would be beneficial.

Chilean foreign ministry.

La Paz Times,
September 25, 1920

Mallea Wins in a Landslide

Rosa Bautista Saavedra Mallea ran away with 73% of the vote and he is the new President. His main goal for Bolivia is to make it a stable and stronger country than it has been in recent decades and build up the economy. Here is how the new Congress looks like:

Conservitive Party: 71 seats
Liberal Party: 48 seats
Progressive Party: 11 seats
Socialist Party: 2 seats

Trade Agreement With Chile Reached

A trade agreement has been reached with the Chilean government allowing Bolivian trade to take place in Chilean ports. It has also eliminated tariffs between our two nations.

La Paz Times,
September 29th, 1920

Brazil's Reaction Hostlie to Ecuador's Posible Pact with Colombia and Chile

After Brazil's hostile reaction of news of a posible pact against Communist influences in South America, Persident Mallea has formaly withdrawn Bolivian intrest with the pact.

Mallea stated in a speach yeasterday, "If this pact is signed, the threat of war will loom over South America. A situation for which Bolivia is not prepared for. We wish to remain nuetral and will not sign this pact."

La Paz Times,
September 29th, 1920

Brazil's Reaction Hostlie to Ecuador's Posible Pact with Colombia and Chile

After Brazil's hostile reaction of news of a posible pact against Communist influences in South America, Persident Mallea has formaly withdrawn Bolivian intrest with the pact.

Mallea stated in a speach yeasterday, "If this pact is signed, the threat of war will loom over South America. A situation for which Bolivia is not prepared for. We wish to remain nuetral and will not sign this pact."

The Russian charge d'affaires in La Paz will quietly approach the Bolivian government with an offer of a trade agreement to supply modern farm equipment to help modernize Bolivian agriculture.

La Paz Times
October 3, 1920

Agricultural Imporvements

The Bolivian government has agreed with a Russian trade deal which will bring modern farming equipment to Bolivia.

Mallea's Message to Ecuador

President Mallea made a powerful statement to the Ecuadorian government, saying that if any military conflict that Brazil is suggesting errupts, the Bolivia would be nuetral.

Military Recruitment Drive

The Bolivian government has started a recruitment drive of 30,000 for the military. 20,000 of them will be trained and organised into two new Regular Infantry Divisions and the other 10,000 will be trained and organised into an Infantry Reserve Division.

Dear Bolivia

I will be willing to help you start a air force. I will also will be willing to give 500 of my troops to train you. I will also you give you 3 million dollars. I hope one day i become good ally with you.

From
Jose Luis Tamayo

La Paz Times,
October 19th, 1920

President Mallea Appologizes to Alliance Members

President Mallea has formaly appologized to the members of the alliance that may have been angered by his coments.

New Airforce Will Soon Start Recruiting

Recruiting for all adventurous men interested in joining the new Bolivian Airforce will start next month. Ecuadorian pilots will be training all prospective recruits.

Argentina hearby recognizes the new Bolivian Government, and hopes that thier counter-revolutionary zeal will not cause any future embarassments, such as speaking for other nations without thier permission...

Argentina, though not a signer of the Pan American Treaty, offers to extend the coutesy of Tarrif Free trade between Bolivia and Argentina which they have given every other South American nation, as well as Bolivia before it's regeme change.

I'm glad you took my pilots. I hope you make good use for them. I will not make a pact between Zion, Chile, Colombia, and Ecuador. Brazil has been complaning because we were making a pact. I was afraid we might start a war. A war won't be very good in underdeveploment countries. I want to make a embassy in La Paz. You can have a embassy in Quito.

From
Jose Luis Tamayo

La Paz Times,
December 24, 1920

More New Trade Deals

A trade deal has been reached with the nation of Greece. This deal will bring artillery to Bolivia which will be used in the new infantry divisions being trained currently. The artillery, though outdated, were used durring the Great War and were proved to be serviceable. Greece, as a reasult, will get a discount on Bolivian tin.

Also, a deal has been reached with the Argentinian government which will eliminate tariffs between Argentina and Bolivia.

South African Mercenaries Hired

Mercenaries from South Africa have been hired to train the new recruits in the Bolivian Army.

I'm glad you took my pilots. I hope you make good use for them. I will not make a pact between Zion, Chile, Colombia, and Ecuador. Brazil has been complaning because we were making a pact. I was afraid we might start a war. A war won't be very good in underdeveploment countries. I want to make a embassy in La Paz. You can have a embassy in Quito.

From
Jose Luis Tamayo

ooc
it is assumed that all nations have embassies or at least consulates or missions in the all countries, unless it is specifically mentioned that they do not.

The Bolivian political cilmate at the eve of the new year:

By December 31, Bolivia had stableized and all resistance of the new democratic government had been quashed. The country is starting to rebuild.

Since his victory in the elections, President Mallea is less popular with some men in his own political party in La Paz for his hardline stance against joining Ecuador's defensive alliance. But, most Bolivians approve of the job the president is doing. In four short months, the government made trade agreements with Chile, Russia, and Greece, and eliminated tariffs with Chile and Argentina

Most citizens of Bolivia are optimistic about thier country's future.

ooc
by the way, all of you South American players might want to look up the Chato War, it occured historically in the late 1920s... its the last time a major war has been fought in South America, and was thankfully for less bloody than the awful war between Uruguay, Brazil and Argentina vs Paraguay fought in the 19th Century (where Paraguay lost 90% of its adult male population over 14 and nearly half the women too)

La Paz Times,
December 12, 1921

Non-Agression Pact Signed with Brazil

The proposal of a non-Agression pact has been accepted by Brazil. Troops that are stationed by the border will begin to move out in a few months.

The govermnet in La Paz has released its diplomatic standings with other nations of the world:

Allied:
None.

Friendly:
Columbia (Viewed by Bolivia as the model of democracy in Latin America)
Brazil (Non-Agression Pact has been signed)
Chile (Bolivian trade is allowed to occur in Chilean ports)
Argentina (Trade partner, tariffs eliminated)

Neutral:
Venezuela (Since the Venezuelan Crisis has died down, most Bolivians don't think much of Venezuela)

Wary:
None

Hostile:
None

War:
None

The Bolivian political cilmate at the eve of the new year:

1921 was a rather quiet year in Bolivian politics, exept the signing of a non-agression pact Brazil, considering the Venezuelan Crisis was occuring. Some Bolivians were hostile to the idea of signing the pact with Brazil, and some went so far to call President Mallea a communist and socialist sympothiser. The year ends with units on the Bolivian-Brazilian border begining to withdrawl.

The Worker's Republic applauds Bolivia for its actions pushing for peace among all nations. The Bolivian people seem to have more sense than their much-northern neighbors.

La Paz Times,
January 15, 1921

USA Invades Venezuela

In a speech made by President Mallea, he said he was "shocked" by the "sudden, unneeded, and agressive move made by the US government." and went on to question if the invasion was even needed, sice Germany pulled its protectorate claim on Venezuela.

La Paz Times,
May 29, 1922

Elections for Congress Coming, Two New Parties Recognised.

The mid-term elections for the Bolivian Congress will take place in December with two parties being recognised and and are running for seats this election. The two new political parties are the Centrist party and the National party.

Political Cartoon

(Titled) "Our American Cousin"

A giant, in the likeness of John Wilkes Booth, is shown dancing around with Latin America as his stage and he has a peice of heavy artillery tuked under his arm. Two men, repersenting US president Cox and the Colombian government, are sitting on the giants shoulders, and the giants shadow is cast across Venezuela.

La Paz Times,
June 13, 1922

Yet Another Recruitment Drive

The government has aproved another recruitment drive, another 30,000 men, for 3 more Regular Infantry Divisions, which would increse the standing army size to 80,000 men plus 20,000 men in the reserves.

if Bolivia is so intent on peace, why does it expand its military?

ooc: oh you know, just in case I get invaded, and this is a Latin American country, I am not going to stay a republic forever.

ooc: also, the Bolivian president is doing this to sort of protect himself since many who gain power through coup de'atat are afraid that they will lose thier power in the exact same way they came to power.

ooc: also, leading Bolivian generals and miltary advisors are pressing him to do it.

Why are you so theaten by U.S. Most of these countries in South America would be nothing without the U.S.

ooc: If you are refering to the political cartoon, it is called freedom of speech. The Bolivian government has never made a formal threat to the US government.

Why are you so theaten by U.S. Most of these countries in South America would be nothing without the U.S.


Elaborate this point. How would we be 'nothing without the US?'

Why are you so theaten by U.S. Most of these countries in South America would be nothing without the U.S.

Or if you ment threatened, just because of the Venezuelan Invasion.

Elaborate this point. How would we be 'nothing without the US?'

ooc:yeah, even after the American Revoultion, Spain still had a strong hold on its Latin American Colinies, and had that untill Nepoleon invaded and capured Spain, which allowed South American Revoutionaries like Bolivar and San Martine lead successful revolutions which resulted in independance of much of South America. So, the French Rovultion, instead of the American Revoution that allowed Latin America to be free from foreign rule.

OOC: So really, it was the French. :)

The govermnet in La Paz has released its diplomatic standings with other nations of the world:

Allied:
None.

Friendly:
Brazil (Non-Agression Pact has been signed)
Chile (Bolivian trade is allowed to occur in Chilean ports)
Argentina (Trade partner, tariffs eliminated, share similar alarm to American intervention in Venezuela)

Neutral:
Venezuela (Since Venezuelans have been victims from the begining of the century, most Bolivians are sympothetic of their Venezuelan brothers)
Colombia (The Bolivian government does not think so highly of Colombia since their involvement in the Venezuelan occupation)
All other nations

Wary:
None

Hostile:
USA (Some anti-American sentiments are growing because of the Venezuelan invasion)

War:
None

OOC: So really, it was the French.

ooc: Yep.

ooc:yeah, even after the American Revoultion, Spain still had a strong hold on its Latin American Colinies, and had that untill Nepoleon invaded and capured Spain, which allowed South American Revoutionaries like Bolivar and San Martine lead successful revolutions which resulted in independance of much of South America. So, the French Rovultion, instead of the American Revoution that allowed Latin America to be free from foreign rule.

However, it was the American Monroe Doctrine, which stated flat out that recolonization would mean war with the US, and the British acceptance and joint enforcement of that Doctrine, and British and American money, that made successful revolution possible. Most of the Latin American governments that arose also at least initially based their constitutions on the American model.

It was also official American policy that kept the more blatant imperialists in the US from annexing Mexico entirely for example at the end of the Mexican War, and removed Walker from Nicaruaga as well.

Its important to remember until late in the 20th Century that the US had a bigger population than all of Latin America combined, and could under a different political philosophy have conquered both continents.

But yes, Spanish weakness made the initial success possible, and they earned their freedom the same way the US did... through the blood of their people.

I'm still going to leave my troops in Venezuela.

I'm still going to leave my troops in Venezuela.

ooc: You do relize that Colombia has agreed to pull out of Venezuela when the elections occur? Aren't you going to do that?

The govermnet in La Paz has released its diplomatic standings with other nations of the world:

Allied:
None.

Friendly:
Brazilian Rebels (Bolivian government is hoping to make gains out of the Brazilian Civil War)
Chile (Bolivian trade is allowed to occur in Chilean ports)
Argentina (Trade partner, tariffs eliminated, share similar alarm to American intervention in Venezuela)

Neutral:
Venezuela (Since Venezuelans have been victims from the begining of the century, most Bolivians are sympothetic of their Venezuelan brothers)
Colombia (The Bolivian government does not think so highly of Colombia since their involvement in the Venezuelan occupation)
All other nations

Wary:
None

Hostile:
USA (Some anti-American sentiments are growing because of the Venezuelan invasion)

War:
None

Other:
Brazilian Government (Hoping to get Acre Province through supporting the rebels by sending weapons and arms in secret)

Bolivian political climet at the eve of the new year:

Most Bolivians think that it is a second strait year of uneventfullness politically in Bolivia. Behind the closed doors of the capitol it was anything but that. With the outbreak of the Brazilian Civil War, the government decided to to support the rebels. Though one colonel decided to take the initiative and go into Brazil, no men have been sent to support the rebels.

While most Bolivians relize the army is more active, they don't think much of it.

I will leave in one more year. I'm building a fort near the captial. Slowly i will take my men out. In the fort it will have 5,000 men.

From
Jose Luis Tamayo

No, you will leave right now. You will also dismantle the Fort. NOW. This was never agreed upon with Colombia, and as the principle overseer of Venezeula, we call the shots, and you have to go through us before you can do anything militarily in Venezeula. You are stretching your boundries.

No, you will leave right now. You will also dismantle the Fort. NOW. This was never agreed upon with Colombia, and as the principle overseer of Venezeula, we call the shots, and you have to go through us before you can do anything militarily in Venezeula. You are stretching your boundries.


*applauds*

In the US, when asked about the friction between Colombia and Ecuador, the spokesman from the US State Department remarked that Colombia was easily capable of dealing with the situation and that Ecuador overstepped their initial agreement with Colombia.

(ment to post this yesterday)

La Paz Times,
December 20, 1922

Elections for Congress Over

Here is how many seats have been taken by each party:

Conservitive Party: 67 seats

(Comentary: They have slipped alittle but should still be in controll of congress if they don't anger the minor parties.)

Liberal Party: 52 seats

(Comentary: Vigorous campaining helped them gain seats.)

Centrist Party: 5 seats

(Comentary: These are mostly moderates who don't like the Conservitives or the rebels.)

National Party: 5 seats

(Comentary: Supirior oratory got them their seats.)

Socialist Party: 2 seats

(Comentary: They have not made much headway in congress this time around because of the new parties.)

Progressive Party: 1 seat

(Comentary: This is a dying party.)

La Paz Times,
Febuary 14, 1924

Diplomatic Meeting Under Way in Sucre

Because of the attempted Argentinian invasion of Uraguay last year, a meeting between Bolivian, Peruvian, Uraguayan, and Paraguayan government officials has begun in the city of Sucre. The Bolivian delegates have offered a defensive alliance between these four countries. Bolivia has offered the following incentives to the countries who join this alliance:

-A reduction or elimination of terriffs between the countries
-A non-agression pact will be signed between the countries
-Durring times of conflict, each member military may pass its army throuh menmber countries nations to fight
-The landlocked countries of the alliance may do its trade in alliance member nations with port cities

The Bolivian delegation is waiting for replys from the other delegates.

ooc
Uruguay signed the Pan American treaty in order to ensure that next time it had the US and UK as allies. However, it will attend, as would the Peruvians and Paraguayians.

ooc
Uruguay signed the Pan American treaty in order to ensure that next time it had the US and UK as allies. However, it will attend, as would the Peruvians and Paraguayians.
We're in agreement on this. Uruguay can't necessarily rely on America or Britain to intervene quickly in the event of a crisis with one of their neighbors, after all.

Paraguay is going to be a troublemaker at this Conference, however, as the War of Triple Alliance is still within memory and tensions over the Paraguayan common border with Bolivia are rising. Their central position makes them pretty indispensible, however, if they can be properly dealt with.

As the negotiations continued in Sucre, people have began to talk of the upcoming elections early next year. Many of the parties have allready held convestions and have begun campaigning in the cities. The Progressive party has basicaly disolved, most of them joining the National and Liberal parties.

ooc: what are the resaults of the Sucre confernece so far? Do any of the nations want more out of joining the posible alliance?

ooc: what are the resaults of the Sucre confernece so far? Do any of the nations want more out of joining the posible alliance?

ooc
make some proposals so the NPC countries can react to them

La Paz Times,
Febuary 14, 1924

Diplomatic Meeting Under Way in Sucre

Because of the attempted Argentinian invasion of Uraguay last year, a meeting between Bolivian, Peruvian, Uraguayan, and Paraguayan government officials has begun in the city of Sucre. The Bolivian delegates have offered a defensive alliance between these four countries. Bolivia has offered the following incentives to the countries who join this alliance:

-A reduction or elimination of terriffs between the countries
-A non-agression pact will be signed between the countries
-Durring times of conflict, each member military may pass its army throuh menmber countries nations to fight
-The landlocked countries of the alliance may do its trade in alliance member nations with port cities

The Bolivian delegation is waiting for replys from the other delegates.

ooc: couldn't these be considered proposals?

La Paz Times
August 1, 1924

War In Europe

War has started in Europe between the Warsaw Pact and the London Allies. The Bolivian delegates in Sucre conference urge the other delegates to put aside any differences they currently have with each other and join the alliance so we feel safer knowing we have allies in the case that war spreads to South America.

Election Day Set to be December 20

The elcetion for the man who will succeed president Mallea will take place in December. The front running parties are expected to be (in this order):

Conservitive party: predicted to get 40% of vote

National party: predicted to get 25% of vote

Liberal party: predicted to get 15% of vote

Centrist party: predicted to get 10% of vote

La Paz Times
August 6, 1924

Neutrality

President Mallea has said in a speach that, considering the posibility that the war between the Warsaw Pact and the London Alliance will spread to South America, Bolivia ,for the time being, will be a neutral nation.

La Paz Times
August 6, 1924

Neutrality

President Mallea has said in a speach that, considering the posibility that the war between the Warsaw Pact and the London Alliance will spread to South America, Bolivia ,for the time being, will be a neutral nation.

Although we are at war with the United States, we are not at war with any other nation and have indeed signed a non-aggression pact with the Argentinian and Colombian Governments and have a similar informal agreement with the British Government. We would like to sign a similar non-aggression pact with your own country. No matter what sides we take in the war, there is no need for conflict between brother South American nations.

Deepest Regards,
Brazil's Politburo and Parliament.

La Paz Times,
December 29, 1924

Conservitives Win Elections

Mariano Hernando Siles Reyes, the conservative candidate for president, has won the election with over 60% of the vote. With the nearest competing candidate from the National party with 22% of the vote.

Terrible Casualties in Italy

Millions of men are dieing in Italy and in other theaters of this new Great War. The most visious and terrible battles have been fought in the Alps.

ooc: couldn't these be considered proposals?

I didn't see them.. you get acceptance for everything except for right of passage by military forces.

La Paz Times,
September 29, 1925

Declaration of War

President Mariano Hernando Siles Reyes has anounced that Bolivia has joined the LTA and declared war on all Pact nations. Recruitment posters are begining to appear throught the cities.

Bolivia between 1927 and 1932:

1927

The Bolivian Expeditionary force returns home from Italy. President Reyes organized celebrations in all cities and a military parade in La Paz. Reyes claimed that the war was a "victory for Catholicism".

1928

General Germán Busch Becerra, Commander of the Army, is demoted and sent to command a garrison near Lake Titicaca for being outspoken against the government. He begins to make contacts with the National party leaders and the La Paz garrison to plot his revenge. Oil is found in the Chaco region (ooc: as it was historically).

1929

Many newly promoted officers in the army stage a coup in La Paz and Sucre and take controll of the Government. They leave Reyes in power as a puppet. Many leading members of the Liberal and Conservative parties are murdered or forced to flee the cities. Beccara is secretly opposed to this new regime.

1930

Reyes was forced to run for president and won because the only other candidate was a communist. The National party makes some gain in Congress even though they are opposed to the current military government.

1931

Bacerra continues to plot against the government while making more contacts with dissgruntled officers.

As news of the escalating tensions in Bolivia filters through to the Peoples Revolutionary Front's leadership, the guerilla network recently deactivated by the government takes a life of its own. Orders are relayed throughout Brazil to bring together fighters for moving into Bolivia.

With NO backing of the government, the fully Communist PRF begins to filter across the Bolivian border. Making contacts with local Communist sympathisers and anti-establishment figures, the PRF begins smuggling weapons over the border.

Mysteriously, some surplus government weapons left over from the civil war go missing and reports are heard of secret meetings in mist shrouded swamps between government officials and PRF fighters. Could it be that this is the last favour the government will cut the PRF in exchange for leaving the government alone? However, nothing is proven and the deals go largely unnoticed or are hushed up.

As the cells are established, regular PRF practice of helping villagers with local projects and farming to build trust within the community go a long way to creating a lasting link with the people. When trust is gained, weapons and more fighters are moved over to live with the villagers and prepare for a small scale (at least at first) insurgency.

In order to destabalise the government, PRF guerillas start assasinating local officials and symbols of government order and in addition to this, a startling message is sent to the ousted General Beccara, who is known to be a government dissenter,



"Comrade,

We may be vastly opposed in ideaologies, but we share a common purpose, the downfall of the government. We propose a temporary alliance between our factions with the aim of destroying this foul dictatorship. Once the fighting is done we can discuss terms once again. For now, we offer you the hand of friendship.

Commandant Jefe."

Secret IC:

Bacerra sends a secret note to the PRF agreeing to the temporary allaiance, but urges for the PRF to wait untill the time is right.

The PRF bides its time, not trusting its ally for a minute, it prepares for post-revolution Bolivia and the actions its friends could take against the organisation and begins to collate information accordingly. The PRF for the moment lies low, brings in weapons, trains, recruits from within Bolivia, helps local communities, and builds attachements and contacts mainly in the countryside, aiming ultimately for the countryside to be the main base of support for the PRF.

The govermnet in La Paz has released its diplomatic standings with other nations of the world:

Allied:
None.

Friendly:

Brazil (Non-Agression Pact has been signed)
Chile (Bolivian trade is allowed to occur in Chilean ports)
Argentina (Trade partner, tariffs eliminated, Mutual defence agreement)

Neutral:

Colombia
USA
All other nations

Wary:
None

Hostile:
None

War:
None

Following Bolivia's mutual defense pact with Argentina, the Argentine government voted for aid to be given to the beleagured Bolivian people. In June 1936, the Argentine Foreign Aid Core begins to arrive in Bolivia. Small schools are built for Bolivian children, and the AFAC also sets up clinics using Bolivian doctors, Argentine volunteers and a small number of military doctors.

School is taught in Spanish, Quecha, or Aymara depending on the local situation. It is also made clear that the Argentine government is behind the new schools and clinics; Argentina's flag is prominently displayed in every school next to the Bolivian flag.

May 1937

Due to riots which started in the cities of Bolivia, the military government of Bolivia was forced out of office becuase of a lack of a presidential election since the Second Great War. German Becerra emerges as the leader of the National party, calling for a new constitution. The election is set for August.

Despite the riots and overthrown government, social services continue to be provided to the Bolivian populace as much as possible, although some schools are forced to temporarily shut down.

Argentina extends a hand of friendship to the new government, and offers to reaffirm the mutual defense agreement between the two nations. Also, it is proposed that the Bolivian and Argentine forces conduct joint military exercises.

in the Chaco region, several gunfights occur between Bolivian and Paraguayan civilians. Border police on both sides eventually become involved in the shooting as well. Over a dozen people on both sides are killed.

Paraguay demands that Bolivians stay on their side of the border (ooc which is very ill defined) and move troops up to what they define as their border (ooc which is several miles inside of what Bolivia defines as their border).

ooc
oil has been found here, and the disputes are over drilling claims and rights.

Argentina proposes that Paraguay and Bolivia get a neutral observer to set a mutually agreed border.

August Election Results:

The former general German Becerra of the National party wins the election for president, mainly becuase of the peoples mistrust of the Liberal and Conservitive parties, whose rules over Bolivia both degenerated into military governments. He is pushing what is called the Consitution of 1937, which allows a president to have more than one term. Daniel Salamaca Urey, who retired breifly from politics, has returned to the League of Nations as Bolivia's representitive. President Becerra's first action as president was to ask the president of Paraguay to move his men in the Chaco region 20 miles east no matter what he says his border is.


Bolivian Congress:

National Party: 64% of the seats

Liberal Party: 21% of the seats

Conservitive Party: 10% of the seats

Centrist Party: 5% of the seats

President Alvarez privately asks Becerra to move his troops 20 miles west in return. Alvarez writes, "Surely with cool heads and clear hearts we can see reason prevail over petty squabbling. Bolivia and Paraguay may choose from this moment to peacefully co-exist as prosperous, happy nations or to engage in squabbling over petty land disputes. I fervently hope that Bolivia chooses the latter course, and again I advise you to accept the verdict of a neutral observer. The fields of Chaco need not be watered with blood."

Becerra agreed to moving his men west, and stated if the Paraguayans do not move, they are hostile invaders in his eyes.

In 1938, Argentine aid to Bolivia is stepped up. In addition to the existing clinics and primary schools, secondary schools are added, along with public hospitals. Orphans and widows are also provided with a modest pension.

La Paz Times,
April 27, 1939

Becera orders any men on the "Paraguayan border" to stand their ground and to keep their pressence there.