817.00/4714: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Minister in Nicaragua (Eberhardt)
[Paraphrase]
Washington, April 22,
1927—noon.
74. For Stimson and Eberhardt: Your telegram number 105 dated April 20, 7 p.m. has been shown to the President.
- 1.
- The suggestions contained in Department’s telegram number 72, dated April 15, 6 p.m., were made in the light of the military situation as seen by us at that time. Paragraph numbered “First” in your communication modifies in important respects our principal assumption, and stresses the need of a reasonably prompt adjustment.
- 2.
- The possibility of a plan of settlement which should involve election supervision is not excluded. Should you finally consider it advisable in order to restore peace and stability in Nicaragua, the President of the United States, at the request of the Government of Nicaragua, would be willing to appoint a commission to supervise the next election. He would also be prepared to retain in Nicaragua such force of marines as might be requested and required for preserving order and guaranteeing stability.
- 3.
- The problem should be solved within the limitations of the powers of the American Executive. The Department can see no occasion for entering into any agreement by means of a treaty. The supervision of an election in Nicaragua should be provided for entirely by Nicaraguan laws or decrees. The American Executive, in our view, could act in response to an invitation from the interested party or parties, as in the Tacna-Arica case.44
Kellogg