815.00/2763: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Minister in Honduras (Morales)
55. Your December 18, 9 a.m., and December 19, 3 p.m.
You will state orally to the President and other officials of the Government of Honduras that the Government of the United States has been painfully surprised by the proclamation of martial law and the wholesale arrest of political opponents of the Government at a time when there has been no serious disturbance of the peace. The Government’s action can only be regarded as evidence of an intent to intimidate its opponents in order to prevent Congress from acting freely and calmly in dealing with the electoral problem. The Government of the United States had already learned with regret of the irregularities and plots which characterized the popular elections in Tegucigalpa, Puerto Cortes, Tela, and other places. It had hoped, however, that an effort would nevertheless be made to deal with the situation created by the failure of any candidate to receive a majority in a patriotic spirit and in accordance with the constitution. It is feared that the Government’s recent action will encourage the disregard of the law which characterized the action of some of the local authorities in the popular elections and give rise to the belief that it was a part of a policy adopted and still being followed [Page 449] by the central government itself. It must be clearly understood that the Government of the United States would find it fully as difficult to recognize an administration placed in office by oppressive measures on the part of the existing authorities as to recognize an administration coming into power by any other unconstitutional procedure.
You may show the appropriate authorities a copy of this telegram.
You may also tell leaders of other parties that Department’s attitude toward recognition of revolutionary governments would apply also to administration placed in power by abuse of authority on the part of existing government. Do not, however, show such leaders the above telegram.
Your December 20, 6 p.m. A warship is now on its way to Amapala, although its stay at that port will be subject to the exigencies of the situation in Mexico.