814.00/1038: Telegram
The Minister in Guatemala (Whitehouse) to the Secretary of State
[Received 11:40 p.m.]
132. Your 82, December 30, 3 p.m. Estimated number of American citizens in Guatemala 968, of whom 324 reside in the Capital. Principal American interests [are] International Railway of Central America, Electric Light Company, United Fruit Company, W. R. Grace and Company and its subsidiaries, National Aviation Company, Rosenthal bankers, Pacific Bank and Trust Company, Standard Oil Company, Union Oil, Pan American Airways, Retalhuleu Electric Company, Amsinck Sanne and Company, British American Tobacco Company and twelve other smaller concerns.
[Paraphrase.] When I recommended that a warship be sent to San José I did not mean to imply that it would be necessary to send any forces to the Capital, but merely that the presence of a warship in port would have a quieting effect. If trouble comes, it will come suddenly.
The difficulty is that the present Assembly was elected under Chacon, and many Deputies are endeavoring to profit by our action either to regain lost power for their group or to place obstacles in the way of their enemies without the slightest thought for the good of the country. They admit that if the elections are held soon they cannot beat Ubico because they have no candidate; but if the elections can be put off for the full 6 months they hope to be able to whip one up. [End paraphrase.]