817.00/6490
The Chargé in Nicaragua (Beaulac) to the Secretary of State
[Received December 12.]
Sir: I have the honor to transmit the following information received [Page 580] from Brigade Headquarters concerning recent contacts between the Guardia Nacional and bandits.
On November 27, 1929, a group of bandits estimated from twenty-five to one hundred attacked the Guardia garrison of ten enlisted men at La Colonia in the vicinity of Jinotega, killing three and seizing all arms and ammunition on hand. The remainder of the garrison fled but are understood to have reported in later. The bandit group fled to the north and are reported to have fired on the Guardia garrison near Blandon’s Crossing.
A small Guardia patrol out from Daraili on a police mission on November 30 encountered a group of bandits and killed two. Four native scouts ran into a group of thirty men armed with shotguns and machetes and killed one.
A Guardia patrol was ambushed just outside of Santa Rosa in the vicinity of El Sauce. The Guardia shot and killed two bandits and captured one pistol, one rifle and three shotguns. There were no Guardia casualties. The contact was believed to have been on November 29.
There is considerable apprehension among the foreign and native coffee growers in the vicinity of Matagalpa following the above evidences of renewed bandit activity. This apprehension has been increased by rumors that Admiral Campbell, the Commander of the Special Service Squadron who is now visiting Nicaragua, will recommend a further reduction in the Marine Corps strength.
I have [etc.]