817.51/1848: Telegram
The Chargé in Nicaragua ( Munro ) to the Secretary of State
[Received November 1—1:35 a.m.]
307. Department’s telegram number 167, October 28, 5 p.m.
As reported in Legation’s telegram of October 11, 10 a.m.,29 President Diaz after having fully discussed the matter with me was very unwilling to ask Ham to assume control of the internal revenues except in connection with a loan. Unless I am instructed to insist firmly that he must take the action suggested regardless of his objections, I fear that it will be useless to take up the matter with him again. I think he would give his assent, but he would avoid responsibility by advertising the fact that he was acting under protest because of compulsion by the United States. I think that the advantages to be derived from obtaining a control of the internal revenues now over a few months later would not be sufficient to justify the creation of a situation of this kind, because the Department will require the loyal cooperation of the President in meeting the difficulties which will probably be created by the Conservative majority in the approaching session of Congress. In view of this I have hesitated to take further action in the matter without the assurance that the Department realizes the situation here and without definite instructions as to how far the Department desires me to go.
On October 13, 1 mailed the Department a full report.29