817.00 Bandit Activities, 1931/292: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Chargé in Nicaragua (Beaulac)
202. Please deliver following message to President Moncada:
“I have received and given careful consideration to your message concerning the recent bandit attack on Chichigalpa, which Dr. Sacasa transmitted to me on November 24.26 I am sincerely grieved to learn of this and express my sympathy with those who suffered at the hands of the bandits. I appreciate fully your anxiety and the concern of those living in the large centers near the scene of the recent bandit activities. I am confident, however, that the Guardia can and will handle the situation adequately. My view has not changed as to the inadvisability of creating any outside force, such as a civilian army. [Page 827] I feel that we should continue to give our full support and confidence to the single, non-partisan and non-political military force which we have always agreed was a prime necessity for Nicaragua. If there are extra funds and personnel available the best way to employ them in dealing with this apparent recrudescence of bandit activities would be to put them at the disposal of the chief of the Guardia so as to augment temporarily the strength of that organization. I have been relieved to note that after the attack on Chichigalpa the bandits were dispersed by the Guardia.
I appreciate your consulting me regarding these questions and I have wished to give you in reply my frank and friendly views.”
Please keep the Department fully informed as to the measures taken by the Guardia to prevent a recurrence of bandit activities in parts of the country which have hitherto been free from such troubles. Should appreciate knowing General Matthews’ view of the situation.
- Not printed.↩