817.1051/239: Telegram
The Minister in Nicaragua (Eberhardt) to the Secretary of State
[Received 4:45 p.m.]
27. The agreement for the establishment of the Guardia Nacional has been before Congress since January 15th. In spite of President Moncada’s assurances that the bill will pass without change, the fact that it has not already passed and his apparent willingness to permit Congress to discuss all sorts of proposed amendments, lends color to [Page 607] the frequently expressed belief that at heart he is against the bill and while not openly opposing it, would welcome any turn which might cause it to fail to pass Congress. I have felt that I could assure him that the Department has firm faith in his willingness and power to effect the early passage of the bill unamended. A cabled statement to me to this effect at this time from the Department might prove very helpful.