817.00/6390
The Chargé in Nicaragua (Hanna) to the Secretary of State
Sir: In accordance with orders from the Navy Department received by the Brigade Commander on July 24, 1929, calling for the withdrawal from Nicaragua of 1200 enlisted marines and a proportionate number of officers, I have the honor to inform the Department that the United States Navy Transport Henderson sailed from Corinto on August 21, 1929, for New York with 732 enlisted marines and 18 officers. It is stated that the remainder of the allotted 1200 men and corresponding number of officers will sail for the West Coast of the United States shortly.
The departure of this considerable contingent of marines was effected quietly. Most of them left in a special train from Managua. Among the officers leaving was Colonel Robert Dunlap, until his departure Commander of the Northern Area of Nicaragua, who has rendered exceptional and notable service to Nicaragua in suppressing banditry. The Sub-Secretary of Gobernación and his wife, who are personal friends of Colonel Dunlap, went to the station to see the marines leave; otherwise no official notice of their departure by the Government of Nicaragua was observed. The newspapers, likewise, failed to comment.
Brigade Headquarters advises that of the 1300 enlisted marines who will remain for the present in Nicaragua one battalion of about 400 are in Ocotal, a second battalion of about 400 are in Matagalpa, and a third battalion of about the same number are in Managua. The entire aviation command, which has not been reduced so far, is concentrated in Managua.
The Guardia distribution outside of Managua is as follows: Eastern Area comprising the Department of Bluefields, 257 men and officers; Western Area comprising the Departments of Leon and Chinandega, 218 men and officers; Southern Area comprising the Departments of Granada, Carazo, Chontales, Masaya and Rivas, 311 men and officers; Northern Area comprising the Departments of Nueva Segovia and Esteli, 609 men and officers; Central Area comprising the Departments of Jinotega and Matagalpa, 414 men and officers.
I have [etc.]