[Enclosure]
The Commander of the Second Brigade, U. S. M.
C. (Williams), to the Minister in
Nicaragua (Eberhardt)
Present Personnel
Situation
The strength of the forces ashore at present is about 3100, exclusive
of Aviation. It is the present intention of the Commanding General
in accordance with recommendations submitted by the Admiral to the
Navy Department to effect a further gradual reduction between now
and July 1st of about 600. No reduction of Aviation is contemplated
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prior to July 1st but
East Coast Aviation will be returned to Managua by June 1st.
In Eastern Area all stations have been ordered discontinued except
Puerto Cabezas, Bluefields, El Gallo and the mining detachments in
the La Lux [Luz?] and Pis Pis areas.
Several Southern Area stations have been discontinued.
Several Northern Area stations are being taken over by Guardia.
Bluefields at present has 6 officers and 53 Guardia and the Guardia
is sending an experienced and capable field officer to that place
today. Bluefields is the Headquarters of Guardia in the Eastern Area
and very shortly it is planned to take Marines away from that
place.
It is believed that all changes will be effected and reductions
contemplated will be made without embarrassment to anyone
concerned.
Guardia Situation
The Guardia National shows continued and what is believed to be
lasting improvement.
The energetic measures taken by General McDougal and his appreciation
of what the true role of the Guardia should be, has contributed
greatly to our recent successes.
Volunteer Forces
Fifty Volunteers were mustered out about a month ago. The Plata group
will be mustered out within the next few days.
The Flores group will be mustered out before the end of the
month.
When the Plata group is mustered out about 150 Volunteers will
remain. It is believed that the complete mustering out of the
Volunteers will be accomplished prior to June 30th.
When the above is accomplished steps should be taken by those
concerned to have the decree on martial law put out of force.
The Volunteers have done good work. The work has been of such a
nature that Volunteers were more suitable for it than Guardia or
Marines.
There was little abuse of authority and but 4 bandits were executed
in the field.
Present Military
Situation
The military situation can be said without fear of contradiction to
be excellent, and this country has never been in such a peaceful
state.
There are but two organized bands in existence at present, Ortez’ and
Altamirano’s.
Ortez has been and is still in Honduras with a small band of about 30
men.
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Altamirano’s band has suffered considerably in the last few weeks.
Several members of his band have been captured and killed and some
were executed.
It is not believed that there is any organized group in alliance with
Sandino at present, or that any bandits are in the field for Sandino
patriotic motives.
It is fairly certain that Sandino is out of this country and his exit
will most certainly result in the loss of any remaining prestige he
might have had.
There are a few small groups in and around Telpaneca who assemble
often, commit a few minor depredations and then disperse. They are
Liberals and being such are difficult to apprehend.
It should be realized that it will be very difficult to stamp out all
banditry. There has always been banditry in Nicaragua as there is in
other Central American countries.
Conclusion
The military situation at present is such as to be susceptible of
little improvement.
