817.00/5127
The Secretary of State to the Nicaraguan Minister (César)
Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your note of November 8, 1927, with regard to newspaper comment in the United States in connection with the forthcoming presidential election in Nicaragua, and the acts and utterances of certain American citizens concerning possible candidates in that election. It appears that you fear misinterpretations may be placed upon acts inspired by courtesy [Page 377] and friendly sentiments toward Nicaraguans high in the political life of the country; and that the motives underlying these acts may be interpreted as showing an intention on the part of the United States to lend its support to a particular candidate.
In reply I have the honor to inform you that the press report which you enclosed with your note under reference was not authorized by this Government. As you are doubtless aware, there is no censorship or control over the press of this country and therefore no press reports or editorials which do not specifically quote me in authorized statements can be considered as accurately reflecting the views of this Department. It is found advisable from time to time to furnish, for such publicity as the press may desire to give thereto, statements with regard to the policies of the Government.
On October 26, 1927, in answer to an inquiry by press correspondents, I stated that this Government is not going to select any candidate for President of Nicaragua, either Conservative or Liberal, nor is the United States going to back or use its influence for the election of any particular person.6 This country is going to do its best to see that there is a fair, open and free election where everybody who is entitled to vote has an opportunity to do so. Of course following the Constitution of Nicaragua and the Central American Treaty of 1923, the United States will not recognize anybody who is not qualified under the Constitution to hold the office.
I received both General Chamorro and General Moncada at your request. I made substantially the above statement to both of them. I extended no courtesy to one which I did not extend to the other. I have taken particular pains that the position of the United States should be understood in Nicaragua and published in the press there. I am not aware of any speeches made by the Marines in Nicaragua and I can say to you that, of course, the Marines or no other American officers or officials will be permitted to take any part in the election beyond the supervision. So far as Colonel Stimson is concerned, while he is not an official of this Government, he was in Nicaragua representing the President and I am very sure that his attitude will be the same as that of this Department. He will take no part in any way in the election. In this connection I may observe, however, that it is quite natural that he should congratulate General Moncada on denouncing Sandino as a bandit, a statement with which I have no doubt the Nicaraguan Government will agree.
In the above statement you will find an exact expression of the attitude of the United States Government toward individual candidates for the Nicaraguan Presidency, whoever they may be and with whatever party they may be affiliated. It would be a source of deep [Page 378] regret if the policy of this Government should be considered in any other light, whether as a result of interpretations placed upon the unofficial acts or utterances of private individuals in the United States, or perchance through articles appearing in the press, over which, as I have already said, this Government exercises no control. It would be unfortunate indeed if a misunderstanding of the true motives of the United States should result in disadvantage to any particular candidate in the forthcoming election; whether this disadvantage arose through unconscious forces of public opinion, or from the conscious dissemination of unwarranted propaganda in favor of any one candidate. This could not occur if the stated policy of this Government, which has been so clearly expressed, were constantly kept in mind.
Accept [etc.]