815.00/2237

The Chargé in Honduras (Spencer) to the Secretary of State

No. 15

Sir: I have the honor to report on the revolutionary activities in different parts of the republic which have taken place during the past two days.

There had evidently been a plan formulated for some time that the revolution should break out on the date fixed, namely yesterday, but the secret was known to Government officials as well as to the organizers, and while the public was wondering from what point news would first come of an outbreak, Tegucigalpa was not a little astonished to learn that yesterday afternoon General Cárcamo, Juan Planas, Carlos Laínez and J. de Roques had been quietly arrested and lodged in the penitentiary. This wise move on the part of the Government completely blocked all further activities. It showed also very clearly to everyone that the President and Cabinet had a clear knowledge of what was going on. There were a few other arrests of minor importance.

Near La Ceiba there was a conflict between a small band and Government troops, but from the account given out by the President’s office, it was not serious. In two other sections military stations were attacked, but advance information enabled the Government troops to fight off the attacking force.

The talk of Tegucigalpa today is that, after so much preparation for a revolution, which was organized by a small body of malcontents, working almost a year, this effort, skillfully nipped in the bud by the Government, was nothing short of ridiculous.

I have [etc.]

Willing Spencer