817.00 Bandit Activities, 1931/301: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Chargé in Honduras (Higgins)
83. The bandit situation in Nicaragua has recently become aggravated. On November 22 a group of bandits looted the town of Chichigalpa, on the railway near Chinandega, and other groups have been reported in the departments of León and Chinandega. President Moncada has advised the Department that he is convinced that the bandits are being furnished men, ammunition and supplies from the Honduran border. The Legation at Managua states that it is insistently reported there that arms used in the recent Ferrera revolt in Honduras have reached Gregorio Colindres, who apparently led the bandit group that took Chichigalpa, and that Toribio Tijerino, Nicaraguan deportee now resident in Honduras, is responsible for furnishing them.
You will please see the President of Honduras and point out to him the seriousness of a situation like this, in which it is charged that the responsibility of Honduras is involved. Please refer to the report of Major Fassett28 transmitted with your despatch No. 334 of November 6,29 and point out that the Honduran Government is in possession of information on which it can and should take action to prevent these marauding expeditions from outfitting themselves on Honduran territory.
Has Major Fassett visited the frontier where these acts are alleged to have taken place? After discussing the matter with him please telegraph your recommendations as to the advisability of his making a trip at this time to the region in question for purposes of information and to stimulate Honduran interest in properly policing this area.