817.00/6417
The Chargé in Nicaragua ( Hanna ) to the Secretary of State
[Received October 3.]
Sir: Supplementing my despatch No. 1157 of September 19, 1929, concerning reports of plotting against the Nicaraguan Government, I have the honor to transmit herewith a memorandum which briefly summarizes a number of reports of this nature which have recently been made to President Moncada.38
The reports were handed to me yesterday by the Minister for Foreign Affairs who called at the Legation for this purpose by direction of President Moncada. Dr. Cordero Reyes said that the President desires to keep the Legation and the Department informed of these developments. I told him I had already made an appropriate report to the Department in the matter and would also transmit this additional evidence.
Dr. Cordero Reyes then stated that, in view of the increasing danger that the plotters may succeed in instigating disorder if nothing is done to put an end to their activities, the President is contemplating adopting some repressive measure. He said that there is not sufficient evidence to convict any of the individuals under suspicion and that the President therefore hesitates to throw them into prison because he knows that he could not keep them confined indefinitely without assuming dictatorial powers. He says the President continues to assert that he does not wish to adopt this extreme measure unless it is absolutely necessary and that therefore he is also considering giving the appearance of legality to such a procedure by declaring martial law in the Departments affected. He said that the President is greatly disturbed by the responsibility confronting him in this situation which threatens to create conditions in the country which would be a menace to the stability of his Government, and that he fears it will be necessary for him to resort to extreme measures in spite of his previously asserted determination not to do so.
I told Dr. Cordero Reyes that I understood that the President’s purpose in keeping the Legation advised in this matter is informative only. I told him that I could not presume on my own responsibility [Page 599] to give any advice as to any measures which might be adopted in the circumstances but that I might be permitted to say that, if the character of the evidence is carefully weighed, the situation may not appear so serious or threatening as this Government seems to think. I added that all America apparently is being favorably impressed with the progress President Moncada is making in reestablishing order and peaceful activities in Nicaragua and that it would be regrettable if measures should have to be adopted which would give a serious setback to this favorable impression. I inquired if the President had considered the practicability of meeting the existing emergency by deporting the suspected individuals. He replied that he did not know but that he had already formed the intention of suggesting this measure to the President, combined with a request to neighboring Central American governments that the deported individuals be refused admission to the other Central American states.
I do not doubt that more or less continuous plotting is going on within and without Nicaragua because it is what is normally to be expected, but I do doubt that it is as serious as President Moncada thinks. The statement in the enclosed memorandum attributed to Toribio Tijerino indicates that his plan is to foment banditry throughout the country, and it may be surmised that giving aid to existing banditry would form an essential part of any plan of this sort.
In this connection, the Legation, on August 17, 1929, received a telegram from the Legation at Tegucigalpa transmitting an inquiry of Toribio Tijerino as to whether or not the Marines had any objection to his returning to Chinandega. After discussing the inquiry with the Marine Commander and the Minister for Foreign Affairs, I replied that it would appear that Toribio Tijerino should address his inquiry to the Nicaraguan Government, and I informed the Legation at Tegucigalpa confidentially at the same time that the Nicaraguan Government did not desire Tijerino’s return.
I have [etc.]
- Not printed.↩