817.48 Earthquake of 1931/114: Telegram
The Minister in Nicaragua (Hanna) to the Secretary of State
[Received 11:30 p.m.]
4. My No. 3, April 10, 2 [1] p.m. Work for the unemployed here is vitally necessary. It probably will be months before normal activities will furnish employment for all. Financial assistance for this purpose in the meantime is urgently needed. Funds donated for this purpose can be expended in highly useful work under the control and supervision of the Central Relief Committee. The period during which food and other such relief measures must be continued depends largely on unemployment. Such relief can be terminated [Page 799] when employment is again normal. Reconstruction and restoration of business will be stimulated and the labor situation will thus be improved.
This problem is also closely related with the preservation of order not only in Managua but throughout the Republic. There has been no noteworthy disorder yet as a consequence of the disaster but the germs are present and are spreading and may easily become dangerous if not stamped out. I hope we may carry out about on schedule the arrangements recently decided upon for withdrawal of the Marines but if disorder develops it might cause delay. Employment for those out of work here and elsewhere as a consequence of the disaster will help to prevent such disorder.
For the foregoing reasons I hope the Department may support and stimulate efforts to obtain financial assistance for the Central Relief Committee as well as for the Government of Nicaragua.