715.1715/389: Telegram
The Minister in Nicaragua (Hanna) to the Secretary of State
[Received 10:50 p.m.]
115. Department’s telegram 86, August 20, 3 p.m. The following telegram has just been sent to the American Legation at Tegucigalpa:
“September 16, 2 p.m. The full text of the boundary protocol as proposed by the Government of Honduras and transmitted with your air mail letter of August 17th is accepted by the Government of Nicaragua with the omission of article 5 which this Government deems unessential to the execution of the protocol.
Confidential for your information and discreet use: The Minister for Foreign Affairs has told me informally that this Government thinks that article 5 indicates doubt on the part of the Government of Honduras of the good faith of the Government of Nicaragua and he said that consequently the article is not acceptable.
Article 5 would certainly arouse bitter opposition in the Nicaraguan [Page 373] Congress and might defeat ratification of protocol. I have suggested no substitute for article 5 because the point covered by it seems unimportant, as compliance with the provision of law will be a matter of good faith on the part of both Governments.
The Department’s telegram July 8, 6 p.m., to your Legation and my telegram to the Department July 31, 6 p.m., repeated to you concerning place at which the protocol is to be signed: I anticipate opposition to the protocol which may seriously endanger its ratification. The impression here will be much more favorable if the protocol is signed in Managua than it would be if signed in Tegucigalpa or [Washington?]. Signing in Tegucigalpa probably would greatly strengthen the opposition.”