417.00/323: Telegram

The Minister in Nicaragua (Eberhardt) to the Secretary of State

128. Legation’s April 23, 5 p.m. President Moncada expressed to me yesterday his desire to create a temporary claims commission by Executive decree to meet very soon to study and classify claims, pending the creation by Congress in its next regular session of a permanent commission with authority to adjudicate claims. The President suggested that some local American such as Mr. Frizzell be named at $300 a month on the temporary commission. If the Department preferred to send a man from the United States he would pay a higher salary. He again suggested Colonel Cornelius C. Smith as acceptable to him on both the temporary and permanent commissions.

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I suggest to the Department the possible convenience of Colonel Smith or another appointee serving on both the claims commission and the national council of elections.

Eberhardt