817.01/43: Telegram
The Ambassador in Mexico (Morrow) to the Secretary of State
[Received 11:45 p.m.]
31. Embassy’s 14, January 31, 1 p.m. Upon my return I immediately took up the question of Mexico’s future relationship to Nicaragua with Señor Estrada and told him that while it was not of great importance to the United States it would be hurtful to Mexico if Mexico delayed recognition to Nicaragua on the ground that American marines were still in Nicaragua. About a week ago I had a second talk with Señor Estrada on the same subject and I explained to him the extent to which the enemies of Mexico in the United States could use an incident of that sort to attempt to prove that Mexico was the leader of the propaganda against the United States in Latin America.
During our conversation Señor Estrada informed me that after the Nicaraguan elections he had instructed the Mexican Minister in Costa Rica, who was previously also assigned to Nicaragua, to proceed to Nicaragua temporarily thus causing resumption of relations. Señor Estrada explained that at the same time the press statement quoted in Embassy’s despatch No. 1320 [1323?], January 8,23 was given out by him in an endeavor to prepare public opinion in Mexico on the subject. Estrada stated that immediately after the publication of this statement President Gil received hundreds of telegrams and letters protesting against recognition and that on account of that evidence of what they considered public opinion the authorities thought it necessary to cancel the orders to Mediz Bolia.
I went to see President Gil yesterday at his request and he brought up the subject of Nicaragua. The President said that Sandino had sent an emissary to the Mexican Minister in Costa Rica asking the Government of Mexico to grant him an asylum. The President stated that he wanted my advice on this subject because he wished, if possible, to use this occasion in such a way as to improve the relationship [Page 582] between his country and mine. The President therefore proposed, if agreeable to us, to grant asylum to Sandino under an express stipulation that Sandino cease all of his activities against the United States. He thought that Mexico might contribute toward peaceful conditions in Nicaragua by taking this course. He recognized that there might be temporary ovations and press comments on Sandino’s arrival in Mexico, but it was his feeling that the temporary disadvantages of these would be outweighed by the permanent advantage of the cessation of armed strife in Nicaragua.
I inquired of President Gil whether the Government of Mexico would issue a statement if it decided to grant asylum to Sandino. He answered that it would be in a form somewhat as follows: Sandino has requested permission to reside in Mexico; the Government of Mexico has decided to grant Sandino this permission on condition that he abstain from any activities which might be construed as hostile to the United States while enjoying the hospitality of Mexico.
I told President Gil that I, of course, was not familiar with the situation in Nicaragua and therefore could not inform him how the State Department would view this suggestion. I indicated however that there might be some objections to the proposed form of statement because of the fact that Sandino’s activities have been directed against the Government of Nicaragua rather than against the United States. I made the suggestion that possibly it might be better if the conditions placed on Sandino were that he is not to engage in revolutionary activities against Nicaragua while enjoying the hospitality of Mexico. President Gil agreed that this might be preferable.
This morning I called upon Señor Estrada to present Mr. Morgan.24 Señor Estrada himself brought up the Nicaraguan matter and inquired about my conversation with President Gil. Señor Estrada made it clear to us that if the Government of Mexico permitted Sandino to have asylum in Mexico it would not be difficult to keep him in a remote state like Yucatan, Chíapas, or Tabasco. I asked Señor Estrada if they could prevent Sandino from coming to Mexico City. Señor Estrada replied that they would only have to tell him that he could not come.
I told President Gil and Señor Estrada that I would submit this suggestion immediately to the Department. I should be pleased to have the Department’s comment as soon as possible.