817.00/3943: Telegram
The Chargé in Nicaragua (Dennis) to the Secretary of State
[Received October 21—11:30 a.m.]
167. The conference is now in a deadlock over formula for “reestablishment of peace on basis of constitutionality and the treaty of Washington.”25 A Conservative executive and government with [Page 797] participation for the Liberals is insisted upon by the Conservatives. However, the Liberals insist upon the acceptance of Sacasa as the only possible constitutional solution. In the conference this morning the Liberals went on record that they had received aid from the Mexican Government and that if they did not secure the acceptance of Sacasa in the conference they were prepared to go on with the revolution, counting on further aid from Mexico and certain other Governments. They admitted that they could not hope for success without such aid. They further declared that they were under no obligations to the Mexican Government for such assistance. This was ridiculed by the Conservatives. I feel that the Liberals are divided, one group in favor of continuing the revolution with the aid of Mexico, and the other being of a desire to compromise on the basis of more favorable concessions from the Conservatives. It is now desirable for me to have a clear, forceful statement from the Department with respect to the continuation of the revolution with the aid of other Governments, especially that of Mexico. In order to bring about peace and to avert disaster, we must smash the doctrine of constitutional restoration by means of foreign aid to revolution, once and for all.
Have received a report of a second conflict near Somoto yesterday, indicating that Liberals were repulsed with casualties consisting of 26 killed and 5 wounded.
The Government reports that two launches, the Fernandino and Union, left Limon, Costa Rica, with revolutionists for Nicaragua.
- Conference on Central American Affairs, p. 287.↩