815.00/2574: Telegram

The Secretary of State to the Minister in Honduras (Morales)

21. Your 46, May 13, 10 a.m.

The Department has not expressed the opinion that one candidate was sufficient from each party, nor has it implied that it would not countenance a revolutionary movement. As stated in its No. 15, April 28, 1 p.m., the Department desires to avoid creating the impression that the United States is taking part in negotiations having as their object the unification of the Liberal party or the selection of one candidate to oppose Carias. The interest of this Government is simply in bringing about an agreement satisfactory to all parties and calculated to assist in the maintenance of peace, and it is willing to use its good offices and to have you very discreetly use yours, without making any commitment of any nature, to assist in bringing about an agreement among all parties and all candidates for the presidency. Should its good offices, however, not result in preserving peace in Central America, the responsibility for the resulting situation will have to be assumed by those responsible therefor. While the Department would deeply regret a revolutionary movement in any of the Central American countries, it is not prepared to say that it will not countenance such disturbances, nor is it prepared to go beyond the use of its good offices described above. You may discreetly inform the President of the above and of the substance of the Under Secretary’s conversation with Honduran Minister on May 12 embodied in Department’s No. 20 of May 15, 5 p.m.

Hughes