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  4. Document 346

817.00/5276: Telegram

The Acting Secretary of State to the Chargé in Nicaragua (Munro)

Washington, January 17, 1928—11 a.m.

17. [Paraphrase.] Your telegram No. 30, January 16, 2 p.m.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . .

In response to your recommendation, we authorize you, at your discretion, to present the following note to President Diaz: [End paraphrase.]

“Various rumors have come to the attention of the Department of State to the effect that its present attitude is being misrepresented to, and possibly misunderstood by the Government of Nicaragua. In order that there may be no doubt on this subject the Department has instructed me to state:

1st.
That the policy and attitude of the United States in relation to Nicaraguan affairs has undergone no change or modification whatever.
2nd.
That the agreement entered into by Colonel Stimson as the personal representative of the President of the United States, and evidenced by the exchange of communications between the Presidents of the two countries, is regarded as a subsisting obligation in all its integrity, that the United States fully intends to carry out its pledges and obligations thereunder, and expects the Government of Nicaragua similarly to carry out its pledges and obligations thereunder.
3rd.
That the objection to the pending legislation is, in the judgment of the Department, absolutely untenable as a proposition of constitutional law.
4th.
That a refusal to enact the legislation can only be considered by the Department as a breach of faith pledged in a solemn agreement entered into by the Government of Nicaragua with the President of the United States.
5th.
That the powers conferred by the proposed law upon the electoral board constituted as therein provided, are deemed to be absolutely essential to the execution of the agreement and to the holding of the fair election, which this Government has pledged itself to supervise and fully intends to carry out.
6th.
That further delay would not only create a most painful impression here, but would compel this Government to consider seriously what other measures it can and should take in order to meet the obligations which it has definitely assumed with respect to all parties concerned.”

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