817.1051/350: Telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to the Chargé in Nicaragua ( Beaulac )
5. Your 9, January 15, 4 p.m. As the case of Sergeant Larios is one of discipline of a member of the Guardia the Department will not insist that American officers should not sit on the court.
For your information. This whole matter has been gone over thoroughly with the Major General Commandant of the Marine Corps who is in hearty accord with the Department’s position as set forth in instruction 614, December 27, 1929, and telegram No. 4, January 16, 6 p.m. He is so advising the Brigade Commander in Nicaragua. He [Page 863] feels as does the Department that Guardia courts should be used only for discipline of members of the Guardia, and that even in those cases more and more Nicaraguan members should compose the court until finally it will be possible to eliminate American officers entirely.