File No. 817.00/2179.
The American Minister to the Secretary of State.
Managua, August 30, 1912.
Sir: I have the honor to inform the Department of further measures taken for the protection of life and property of foreigners in the capital.
Even before the bombardment of Managua, reports had come to the Legation of the spread of lawlessness in all parts of the country, especially in Granada, Masaya, and Jinotepe, where the people, natives and foreigners, were being subjected to personal abuse and forced to pay contributions of money and merchandise. The Italian, British and Austrian consular officers received vigorous complaints from their respective nationals against the unlawful seizure of property by Mena’s bands. The British Consul General called at the Legation to say that he had been instructed to ask what protection the United States proposed to afford to foreigners and their interests in Nicaragua, and what naval vessels were available for the purposes. To his inquiry as to the advisability of sending a British man-of-war to Nicaraguan waters I replied that in my opinion such action would be inopportune and unnecessary.
On August 11 the members of the Consular Corps, apparently looking to the United States to take measures for the protection of foreign interests, presented a joint note requesting me to interpose my good offices to prevent the bombardment of the city with its consequent danger to life and property. The specific plan proposed by them was impracticable. No foreigners were killed during the bombardment and only one, an American, was injured, but several suffered severe damage to property before the arrival of the battalion of marines on August 15. Major Butler, the commanding officer, quartered his men at first in private houses in the city but afterwards transferred them to the open country and established a camp near the Loma, where the air, water and drainage are good and whence his forces might easily defend themselves in case of another attack on Managua.
On August 16 I addressed a note to General Mena demanding that he return the American property unlawfully held by him and that he comply with his pledge to deliver up his forces to the Government, As the Nicaraguan messengers heretofore sent with the Legation’s notes had been roughly treated by the insurgent forces, we decided to have this one carried by an American officer. Lieutenant E. II. Conger, U. S. M. C, readily agreed to assume the risk and set out for Granada with a guide. The next day the guide returned alone and reported that Conger had not been able to go [Page 1041] any further than Masaya where he was held by Zeledón as a hostage. I then sent another note to Zeledón requesting that Lieutenant Conger be allowed to proceed to his destination or else started on his return to the Legation. Corporal George Copeland promptly volunteered to carry this message, and to inform Conger quietly that an expedition would be sent to rescue him if necessary. Before this last mentioned note was delivered Conger returned to Managua, having successfully completed his mission. The reply which he brought from Mena was characteristically verbose and unsatisfactory, and was evidently intended to gain time until the result of the fighting in León could be ascertained. I therefore sent another note to Mena informing him that in the interest of humanity and for the protection of the lives and property of Americans, others foreigners and non-combatants, the city of Managua has been declared a place of safe refuge and no further bombardment or other hostilities will be permitted. As a result of this action calm has been restored to the city and a feeling of relief has spread among the people here. But elsewhere the conditions are growing worse and great disorder prevails in those towns in which the Government has lost control. President Díaz has informed me that it may become necessary to use the army for the safeguarding of Americans. The rebel leaders have in some cases fallen out among themselves, and each suspects the others of plotting to pain supremacy. Mena has had Marcos Mairena named President at Masaya, but Zeledón, who is in military command there, has ambitions of his own; one faction of the Zelayistas has declared for General Paulino Godoy, and another for Francisco Baca, who is likewise being supported by the Salvadoran Government, so it is said here; Rodolfo Espinosa, Leónardo Argüello and Manuel Carazo also have presidential aspirations. There is no real leadership, and those who call themselves leaders find that they have little control over the mob. Especially in León the confusion has increased since the uprising which resulted in the annihilation of Durón’s forces and the brutal killing of the two Americans, Harvey Dodd and Philip Craven.
On August 20 Captain Terhune, U. S. N., left Managua with forty bluejackets and ten marines to return to his ship, the Annapolis, at Corinto but was stopped by a mob at León and compelled to return to the capital on foot after having his train taken away from him. As soon as Major Butler heard of the indignities to which his marines had been subjected he at once announced his intention to escort Captain Terhune with 120 men and to force a way through León. I tried to persuade him to wait for the arrival of the U. S. S. California which was expected daily at Corinto with reenforcements. Until the latter should come I felt that it would be inadvisable to weaken the United States guard in Managua which had been held out to the foreigners as a place of safe refuge although Mena had announced that he would not recognize it as such. However, the expedition started to Corinto by train on August 26. That night the Nicaraguan Government intercepted a courier bearing messages from Mena to the Zelayistas which stated that a convoy of ammunition was being sent from Granada to León, and that as soon as it arrived a joint attack should be made on Managua from both sides. Very fortunately the Government forces succeeded in capturing the [Page 1042] convoy near EI Guayabal some miles from León, and thereby not only replenished its own stores with much needed ammunition but also prevented another bombardment of the capital.
I have [etc.],