817.00 Bandit Activities, 1931/263: Telegram
The Chargé in Nicaragua (Beaulac) to the Secretary of State
[Received October 30—1:15 a.m.]
191. I have sent the following telegram to Commander Special Service Squadron supplementing my original recommendation made yesterday that he send a warship to Puerto Cabezas:
“Your October 29. Reported bandit activities near Puerto Cabezas within the last 2 days have involved looting of company’s commissary on the railroad, repulse of Guardia patrol by bandit group of 50, and a contact with Altamirano and large group on or near Coco River near Kisalaya.
This situation constitutes a threat to American lives and property, particularly along the railroad leading from Puerto Cabezas to the interior. The presence of a warship in Puerto Cabezas will reassure the population there and free number of Guardia for service along the railroad and in the interior. The atrocities of last April had a demoralizing effect upon the personnel of the large American Fruit Company at Puerto Cabezas and a repetition of these atrocities or prolonged threat of their repetition might make it impossible for the Fruit Company to continue in operation. You can be of great assistant to the company and to the Guardia by maintaining a ship near Puerto Cabezas until the brigade is able to assist by providing airplanes to cooperate continuously with the Guardia there.”