817.0131/15: Telegram

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

90. My 85, July 11, 5 p.m. Captain Johnson and I have reached satisfactory agreement with the Nicaraguan authorities with respect to the amendments to the electoral law. The changes made in the draft amendments submitted by the Department are few and of minor importance and in our opinion do not weaken the supervisory powers of Captain Johnson in conducting a perfectly free and fair election. The amendment to article 20 has been changed to read as follows: “The National Board of Electors shall cooperate with the President of the Republic in the supervision of the elections of 1930 and of 1932 for the supreme authorities and is hereby vested with full and general authority to conduct such supervision and to prescribe with obligatory force all measures et cetera”. This change was made to meet the objection that it is unconstitutional for the President to delegate his powers and duties in this connection.

The entire Dodds law as amended will be promulgated by Executive decree and the manuscript will be delivered to the public printer on Friday July 25 unless this should not meet with the Department’s approval.

Hanna