417.00/323: Telegram
The Minister in Nicaragua (Eberhardt) to the Secretary of State
[Received 2:10 p.m.]
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.
[Page 678]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.