817.00/5082: Telegram
The Chargé in Nicaragua ( Munro ) to the Secretary of State
[Received 5:24 p.m.]
282. Municipal elections will be held throughout Nicaragua on November 6th and there will be close contests in several places including especially Managua. The marines will assist the local [Page 365] police in maintaining order in the towns where they are stationed and particularly in certain places where the Liberals have informed me that they expect trouble.
At the request of the Liberals I have arranged with the President to suspend for a week before and a week after the elections the operation of laws requiring citizens to carry cards showing the payment of road taxes, anti-grasshopper taxes, et cetera, in order to prevent the police from molesting Liberal voters by demanding such cards.
At the request of the marines another decree has been issued prohibiting political demonstrations in the Managua streets on Sundays when there is special danger of drunken riots. I discussed this matter fully with Doctor Morales, Moncada’s representative, and obtained his consent before the decree was issued.