817.00 Bandit Activities, 1931/282: Telegram
The Chargé in Nicaragua (Beaulac) to the Secretary of State
[Received 9 p.m.]
202. My despatch No. 563, November 6.25 Bandits have been unusually active in the departments of Leon and Chinandega during the present month. Following the Hutchcroft contact near El Sauce the bandits captured and burned the cuartel at El Jacaral after the small garrison in chargé of a Nicaraguan officer had abandoned it in the face of greatly superior numbers. Last night a mounted force of bandits estimated 100 looted the town of Chichigalpa on the railroad between Leon and Chinandega and proceeded to San Antonio, the largest sugar plantation in Nicaragua, nearby with the evident intention of looting it but were met by a Guardia patrol and dispersed before any harm had been done there.
The Guardia has not less than 200 men in the threatened area engaged in intensive patrolling. President Moncada has expressed alarm and dissatisfaction over the situation and has plainly indicated to me that he would like to organize a volunteer force of Nicaraguans outside the Guardia to exterminate the bandits.
I am investigating the situation thoroughly and believe that General Matthews is doing everything possible under the circumstances to overcome the present threat. I intend to tell President Moncada this and that the Government of the United States cannot agree to the organization of such a volunteer force which would plainly violate the terms of the Guardia agreement besides being of very doubtful military value. I will tell him at the same time that General Matthews is not only willing but eager to accept the assistance of Nicaraguans who wish to cooperate under Guardia direction in the campaign against the bandits.
President Moncada is convinced that the present outbreak is being assisted and encouraged by certain officials of the Honduran Government and said that he would like the Department to again insinuate to the Honduran Government the importance of making every effort to cooperate with him in the campaign against the bandits.
- Not printed.↩