817.00 Bandit Activities, 1931/286: Telegram
The Chargé in Nicaragua (Beaulac) to the Secretary of State
[Received November 25—11:05 a.m.]
203. My telegram No. 202, November 23, 5 p.m. General Matthews accompanied President Moncada to Leon this morning to personally investigate the situation in that area. The Nicaraguan population are generally alarmed and many fear that the movement has assumed a revolutionary character. Civil authorities in Chinandega report the bandits 18 miles from that city impressing laborers on the coffee plantations. General Matthews has placed every available Guardia in the threatened area.
There is a possibility that it will be necessary to place armed guards on passenger trains between Managua and Corinto and on at least two bridges. Would the Department object to the use of Marines for this purpose in case of grave need and if practical from the military standpoint? The Guardia cannot well spare troops for this purpose and it is of course important to keep the railroad open to Corinto. If the Department has no objection from the point of view of policy to Marines being used for this purpose I suggest it so advise Navy Department and request that the latter give appropriate instructions to the commander of the Special Service Squadron since General Bradman has told me he could not take such a step without the Admiral’s authority and he believes the latter will decline to grant such authority unless assured that it does not conflict with the State Department’s policy with respect to the Marines in Nicaragua.