817.00 Johnson Electoral Mission/103: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Minister in Nicaragua (Hanna)
106. Please inform Captain Johnson that the Department has carefully considered his airmail letter of September 27.14 Whatever may be the rights and wrongs of the situation in Chontales, we do not feel that it appears from his letter that the present situation will make it unduly difficult for the American Supervision to hold entirely free elections there. In the absence of further evidence on this point, we should have no sympathy with any group which refused to participate in the Congressional elections simply because of the situation in the municipal governments, and you and Captain Johnson may make this clear to those interested, if you deem it advisable. Since we were asked only to supervise the Congressional elections, we do not feel that we should insist upon the prior adjustment of the municipal situation, which is a matter to be determined by the Nicaraguans themselves. If you and Captain Johnson feel that there are considerations involved which the Department does not fully appreciate, please cable your views at once.
- Not printed.↩