File No. 817.00/1822.
The Secretary of State to the President.
Washington, August 5, 1912.
Dear Mr. President: From advices that have reached this Department it appears that one day last week President Adolfo Díaz of Nicaragua demanded the resignation of General Luis Mena, his Secretary of War, whereupon Mena, accompanied by his brother, the Chief of Police of Managua, the entire police force and a number of followers cut the electric light wires in Managua and left in the direction of Masaya, since which time he has openly defied the constituted authorities and is now leading an open rebellion against the Government.
Minister Weitzel now reports from Managua that the American corporation owning the railway which runs from Corinto to Granada and certain steamships on the inland waters of Nicaragua has complained to the Legation that Mena and his followers have seized its property and have used certain of the vessels of the company in bombarding the unfortified town of San Jorge. Minister Weitzel thereupon addressed a communication to the Government of Nicaragua requesting that it give satisfactory assurances that it was willing and able to afford adequate protection to all private property of American citizens in Nicaragua. To this communication the Government of Nicaragua replied to the effect that it was employing every available means to give such protection but that it regretted that, because of the necessity of using forces to put clown armed disorders, it was unable for the present to comply with the Legation’s request. The note of the Foreign Office closed by saying that,
in consequence, my Government desires that the Government of the United States guarantee with its forces security for the property of American citizens in Nicaragua and that it extend its protection to all the inhabitants of the Republic.
Minister Weitzel then addressed a communication to the Commanding Officer of the U. S. S. Annapolis requesting him to take such measures as might be necessary to protect the railroad and to afford security to American citizens and their property.
Minister Weitzel now reports to the Department that a detachment of one hundred men was sent from the Annapolis to Managua, where they arrived on August 4th at 3.30 a.m., and that they are now quartered at the Legation. He concludes by recommending the advisability of sending marines from Panama to Corinto by a Pacific Mail steamer, saying that Managua was quiet.
Under date of August 4, 8 p.m., the Minister reports to the Department that quiet continues at Managua and that the effect of the [Page 1033] arrival of the bluejackets, according to the unanimous opinion of the Americans, in which he concurs, is thus far favorable. The Minister states that foreigners with whom he has talked are of the same opinion and that the Salvadoran Minister, in his personal capacity and in strict confidence, has informed him that this was the only move that could have prevented complete anarchy and the spread of disorder throughout Central America.
From a telegram received at the Navy Department from the Commander of the Annapolis, it appears that the men were sent from Corinto to the capital in order to protect the lives of American citizens reported to be in imminent danger of attack.
I learn from inquiry at the Navy Department that there are on the Isthmus of Panama three hundred and fifty marines available for this service, and in view of the specific request of the Nicaraguan Government and of the seemingly possible danger of resultant anarchy, I have the honor to request that I be authorized to ask that the Navy Department comply with Minister Weitzel’s recommendation.
I have [etc.]
Note. The President returned the foregoing letter with the following notation written by him thereon:
The authority requested herein is hereby given.
Wm. H. Taft.
August 5, 1912.