817.00/5677: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Minister in Nicaragua (Eberhardt)
123. For Minister Eberhardt and Colonel Parker. Your telegrams No. 231, part 1, dated May 24, 4 p.m., and No. 231, part 2, May 25, 9 a.m. Your statement as to the importance of the National Board of Elections reserving full freedom of action is in accordance with the views of the Department.
[Page 498]For the time being, and probably until General McCoy returns to Nicaragua, the Department prefers that the Legation should not issue the announcement contained in your telegram No. 231, May 25, 9 a.m., with the hope that the factions will get together in their own way with the full realization of the effect upon the election for President and Congress. Although the Department and General McCoy have the fullest confidence in your action in Nicaragua, nevertheless, it is believed wise to give the contending factions time to compose their differences before General McCoy returns to Nicaragua.
General McCoy, as president of the National Board of Elections, feels as you do that the National Board has plenary powers regarding both the determination of the question of party recognition and the selection of means for arriving at the determination. Nevertheless, it is obviously to the interest of both the entire nation and its political parties that complications of this nature be settled by each party in its own way.