814.00/1036: Telegram
The Minister in Guatemala (Whitehouse) to the Secretary of State
[Received 3:20 p.m.]
129. President Chacon has just resigned in the presence of the president of the Assembly and the Chief Justice. I was in the room at the time. The document was put in the possession of the president of the Assembly.
[Paraphrase.] The majority of the Assembly is clearly hostile to General Orellana and unless overawed by display of force by General Orellana its course of action is uncertain. If things go wrong, they will go very wrong, and, as I suppose no warship is nearer than Panama, it is recommended that one be ordered immediately to San José. If things go peaceably, the Provisional President might be strengthened if the captain and a few other officers came to Guatemala City to pay their respects to him. If otherwise, the mere presence of a warship in San José might prevent greater disorders. [End paraphrase.]