817.00/5302: Telegram
The Chargé in Nicaragua (Munro) to the Secretary of State
[Received 7:05 p.m.]
44. Department’s No. 25, January 21, 5 p.m., and No. 26, January 22, 1 p.m. I am of the opinion that a further statement with regard to [Page 450] the impartiality of the United States would not be advisable. Such a statement would have no effect on the Conservatives unless so worded as to injure the Liberals. I fear it might give the impression that the United States was protesting too much. The real grievance of the Conservatives arises from our efforts to deprive the Government of a part of what it regards as its natural advantages in connection with the election. This opinion is concurred in by General McCoy.
With regard to the suggestion of Cuadra Pasos that the difficulty could be overcome by revising the translation of the electoral law, the Department will have perceived from my telegrams and from the substitute project that the opposition in the Chamber of Deputies has been directed against the whole idea of supervision. While I can perceive no objection to a new translation or to other changes in form, there can be no action which would be acceptable to us until the entire attitude of the Chamber of Deputies has altered.
I have conferred with the followers of Cuadra Pasos in the Chamber of Deputies. They pretended that they would have voted for our proposition if their votes would have assured its passage. It is clear, however, that they dared not oppose the Chamorro group very actively even after they received instructions from Cuadra Pasos to abandon the openly hostile attitude hitherto assumed.
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