817.00/6555: Telegram
The Chargé in Nicaragua (Beaulac) to the Secretary of State
[Received 4:04 p.m.]
33. My 32, March 13, 5 p.m. Prominent officials of the Government profess ignorance of the exact contents of the project of reform and state that its introduction into the Senate was a complete surprise to them. I have not discussed the matter with President Moncada pending the receipt of information concerning the Department’s attitude. The Vice President and the Minister for Foreign Affairs have expressed the opinion that the President would not permit any reform, of the character proposed, to be actually carried out without prior consultation with the Legation. I agreed that it was reasonable to suppose that that would be his attitude. The project of reform was apparently introduced into the Senate at 6:30 on the evening of March 12 after a great many Senators had left the Chamber. It was hurriedly read and immediately carried away by the president of the Senate. It is due to be read for the second time and discussed in the Senate Tuesday, March 18. It is generally reported that in addition to the reforms mentioned in my telegram No. 32 the project provides for female suffrage, the restriction of the right of vote to literates, an addition to chapter 18 of the Constitution to make the Guardia Nacional constitutional, the substitution of local boards for municipal governments in ports, and the abolition of the jury system.
[Paraphrase.] Although it is evident and generally conceded that a project of such importance could not have been introduced without his knowledge and will not be passed without his consent, I anticipate that President Moncada will maintain the attitude that he has nothing to do with the proposed reform. [End paraphrase.]
Ex-President Diaz informs me that Liberal members of Congress are stating that the project was prepared and introduced in agreement with the Legation. I told him that the Legation had nothing to do with it and repeated my conversation with him to the Minister for [Page 697] Foreign Affairs. Ex-President Diaz asked me to receive a delegation of Conservative senators who desired to consult with the Legation regarding the project but I declined.