810.43 Anti-imperialistic League/79
The Minister in Nicaragua (Eberhardt) to the Secretary of State
[Received August 18.]
Sir: With reference to my despatch No. 744 of July 18,18 in which I reported that it was impossible to obtain any evidence indicating that funds collected by anti-imperialist organizations in the United States are being used for the purchase of munitions and war supplies for the outlaws in Nicaragua, I have the honor to report that information obtained from the Military Attaché at Tegucigalpa indicates that the funds collected by friends of Sandino in the United States and other countries are not sent directly to his forces … Military supplies purchased with these funds, therefore, would not necessarily be shipped from the United States.
Although very large sums must have been collected during the campaign which has been carried on in several foreign countries, including the United States, only a few thousand dollars appear to have reached Sandino. This has been sent to him through … in Tegucigalpa, who appears to be Sandino’s sole means of communication with the outside world. Several messengers from … to Sandino have been killed and robbed during recent months because of the supposition that they might be carrying money.
From the character and past record of those who are most prominent in the campaign in foreign countries on behalf of Sandino it may safely be assumed that the greater part of the funds collected are used for the immediate benefit of those who collect them. An investigation would probably show that agitation against the policy of the United States in Nicaragua has been a very profitable occupation for such persons as … Sandino, on the other hand, has not appeared to be well-supplied with money or with other military necessities, and it is not thought probable that any great quantity of supplies could reach him under present conditions.
I have [etc.]
- Not printed; it was a reply to the Department’s instruction No. 381, June 12.↩