715.1715/327: Telegram

The Chargé in Nicaragua (Hanna) to the Secretary of State

[Paraphrase]

233. Department’s 132, September 25, 6 p.m. I conferred with the brigade and guardia commanders and they, as well as I, are of the opinion that the guardia could afford the necessary protection in Nicaraguan territory to the proposed commission under existing conditions on the border and our expectation that conditions will be even more favorable during the coming dry season.

My information indicates that the President of Nicaragua will be glad to have this matter submitted to an arbitral commission at the earliest practicable moment, and I think he will be disposed to accept General McDougal’s assurance that the work can be done with safety. I think this is an opportune moment to create the commission and if done it may relieve the tension caused by a specific answer from the Government of Honduras to this Government’s objections to those notes.

Repeated to Tegucigalpa.

Hanna