817.00/5387: Telegram
The Minister in Nicaragua (Eberhardt) to the Secretary of State
[Received February 10—1:34 a.m.]
74. From McCoy. Colonel Parker, who returned from Ocotal February 6, reports as follows on conditions in Nueva Segovia:
Outside of localities under immediate control of troops incidents of lawless violence are not uncommon and local civil authorities, where such exist, appear unable or unwilling to punish guilty parties who are usually members of roving bands operating intermittently. In many cases political considerations have affected the persons and properties subjected to these aggressions; both Liberals and Conservatives have suffered though not always at the hands of the same bands. The crimes committed frequently involve robbery as one feature but their significance is as [an?] expression of the bitter Government and personal animosities that exist. Many of these enmities are of long standing and have their real origin in class and family struggle for local supremacy and in hatreds engendered during the recent civil war in Nueva Segovia. Both Liberals and Conservatives are inclined to violence or oppressive measures [toward] political adversaries when opportunity offers and law and order exist only where enforced by marines and Guardia Nacional. As the military operations now being directed to breaking up the larger and more organized lawless bands succeed in accomplishing that purpose more troops will become available for establishing and supporting civil authority in the municipalities, and conditions throughout Nueva Segovia should become more settled. Of 17 municipalities of Nueva Segovia, civil authorities are now functioning in only 7, which are under Marine Corps protection. Reestablishment of civil authority in the remaining municipalities is planned as rapidly as necessary local protection can be given by troops. From the standpoint of renewal of productive activities in the disturbed area, the most important factors are coffee, cattle, mining and food crops. The two principal mines involved are American properties owned in the [sic] California and Pennsylvania. The general area Jicaro, Jalapa, Murra and the coffee region in the vicinity of Populi Paneca are specially important from an economic viewpoint. Rains in the mountainous country east of Ocotal permit planting and maturing of foodstuffs during the dry season extending from December to May, inclusive. Indications are for some shortage of food in the disturbed area during the present year but that it will not extend to serious lack of necessary subsistence. While former political exiles of both parties are now in Nueva Segovia, their circulation is confined closely to localities garrisoned by marines. Few of larger property holders have resumed residence [Page 566] on their rural property and renewal of agricultural, cattle raising, and mining district activities is correspondingly delayed; confidence in marines and guardia on part of responsible elements both parties is general and outspoken. The opinion is freely expressed by members of both parties that the continued presence of these forces until the civil authorities can be first established following a free election is the only hope of avoiding a complete break-down of public order.