817.00/6146: Telegram
The Minister in Nicaragua (Eberhardt) to the Secretary of State
[Received 8:15 p.m.]
419. The credentials of the greater part of the Deputies elected on November 4th have now been finally approved and the Deputies have been definitely seated. The credentials of four Liberal Deputieselect, however, have not been finally approved and the committee examining the credentials has indicated that it considered their election invalid for various reasons.
I spoke to the President today of the necessity for taking measures to dissuade the Conservative Deputies from their evident intention of rejecting the certificates issued by the National Board of Elections in these four cases. I have also spoken to Chamorro, who is probably back of the Deputies’ action. I consider it probable however that these Deputies will be unseated in spite of my representations.
A strong statement from the Department to be shown privately to those concerned might be helpful. Since Chamorro and other leaders have been especially persistent in inquiring to what extent the Conservatives could expect us to protect them from mistreatment under the new regime the Department might well indicate that a party which acted in bad faith in regard to the elections would be in no position to ask that we use our influence to protect them either from oppression or from arbitrary action in political matters.