817.00/6372: Telegram
The Chargé in Nicaragua (Hanna) to the Secretary of State
[Received 6:15 p.m.]
193. Admiral Campbell arrived here July 13th and will leave tomorrow. Under his orders from the Navy Department he has conferred with Generals Williams and McDougal and the Legation, and has recommended by telegram to the Navy Department the withdrawal of twelve hundred enlisted marines and a proportionate [Page 577] number of officers. He recommended no reduction in aviation at this time. His recommendation is based on the assumption that the guardia will be kept at present strength of two thousand enlisted [men?]. General Williams concurs.
I regret that I cannot concur in the foregoing. The proposed withdrawal is a fifty percent reduction in marine forces now in Nicaragua exclusive of aviation, and the percentage of reduction in marines available for active field work in the disturbed regions is still greater. There are now approximately seven hundred guardia in those regions and General McDougal says he can increase only to approximately eight hundred, and that only about one half of this force can be on active field work at one time. The consensus of opinion in Nicaragua appears to be that there is but little if any improvement in the military situation as compared with a year ago. The political situation is becoming increasingly acute with the probability of increased disturbance as a natural result. I believe there is grave danger that any reduction of marines at this time, however small, would stimulate discontented elements and be followed by increased disturbance involving outrages on Americans and other foreigners and their interests in Nicaragua. I therefore recommend that no reduction be made in the existing marine forces until the situation has materially improved.
The Legation is making every effort to prevent the nature of the conferences with Admiral Campbell from becoming public here because I think that the mere knowledge that a reduction is being discussed would have unfortunate consequences.
I have given a copy of this telegram to Admiral Campbell and General Williams.