715.1715/439
The Minister in Nicaragua (Hanna) to the Secretary of State15b
[Received March 12.]
Sir: Supplementing my telegram No. 35 of February 20 (4 p.m.) concerning the proposed visit of Senator Francisco Paniagua Prado on Special Mission to Tegucigalpa in connection with the settlement of the boundary dispute between Nicaragua and Honduras, I have the honor to report that Dr. Paniagua Prado left here this morning for Tegucigalpa accompanied by a Secretary and Dr. José Angel Ulloa, the Honduran Chargé dAffaires in this capital.
I am transmitting herewith a copy and translation of the written instructions given to Dr. Prado.15c Paragraph 2 of his instructions states that his representations are not to modify the Protocol but to bring about more effective cooperation on the part of the Government of Honduras in matters connected with this subject. It would appear therefore that this Government has abandoned the idea it originally had, to suggest modifying the Protocol as set forth in my telegram in reference.
President Moncada gave me the enclosed memorandum of instructions when I saw him yesterday. He was not specific concerning the manner in which the Government of Honduras might improve the situation here and I judge that he hopes that the way in which this can be done may develop from Dr. Prado’s efforts in Tegucigalpa. The President appeared to be hopeful that the Government of Honduras would find some way to pacify public opinion here and win votes for the approval of the Protocol in the Nicaraguan Congress. He seemed to think, in view of the powerful opposition to the Protocol in Nicaragua, responsibility for the time being at least had shifted to Honduras.
I believe public opinion here is beginning to change somewhat. The Liberal newspapers have about ceased to attack the Protocol. I am also informed that Liberals in Congress are less out-spoken in their [Page 799] opposition. One Liberal Deputy with a strong following recently read to me a statement in strong support of the Protocol which he said he proposed to make public at a propitious moment during Dr. Prado’s negotiations in Tegucigalpa. President Moncada is quietly continuing his efforts in behalf of the Protocol and a number of prominent Liberals are supporting him.
The Conservative newspapers have continued their campaign against approval of the Protocol and the mission of Dr. Prado. The matter has taken on such a partisan aspect that it will probably be a clean cut issue between the two parties. The leading Conservative members of Congress have refrained from declaring their opinion on the floor of Congress and they might yet take at least a passive attitude, but it is more probable that they will be openly opposed to approval of the Protocol. It would not be strange if this would result in uniting the Liberal Party to such an extent that it could obtain a majority for the Protocol in both Houses of Congress from among its own members. The leaders of the Liberal Party apparently are becoming more and more convinced that the defeat of the Protocol would be defeat of that Party.
I realize that it will be difficult for the Government of Honduras to hit upon some formula acceptable to sentiment there which will at the same time suffice to pacify sentiment here. At the same time, I very much fear the Protocol will not be approved by the Nicaraguan Congress unless some such formula is found. A small concession on the part of the Government of Honduras probably would be sufficient to turn the tide here. It would seem that the Government of Honduras could not treat lightly the responsibility which has been thrust upon it by this turn of events. The circumstances here seem to indicate quite clearly that the fate of the Protocol at this time is largely in the hands of the Government of Honduras.
The Nicaraguan Congress took a recess a few days ago but it will re-assemble in a few days and probably will be in session during Dr. Prado’s stay in Tegucigalpa. President Moncada told me it is his intention, if Dr. Prado’s negotiations proceed satisfactorily, to have the Protocol come to a vote during this ordinary session of Congress.
Respectfully yours,