817.1051/350: Telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to the Chargé in Nicaragua (Beaulac)
10. Department’s 5, January 17, 5 p.m. The President has received several telegrams of protest which indicate that Sergeant Larios was condemned to death. Please telegraph full information at once.
If death sentence has been passed, please say to President Moncada that the Department understands that the death sentence imposed by the ordinary courts has not customarily been carried out in Nicaragua and that it feels it to be unwise for it to be done now by the Guardia Nacional. In view of the situation here any such action would make it very much more difficult for Department to maintain marines in Nicaragua. The Department therefore requests as an act of grace on President Moncada’s part that he commute any death sentence.
Should President Moncada not accede to this request you will please tell the Commandant of the Guardia that no marines shall have anything to do with the carrying out of the sentence, shall not be part of the firing squad, nor be present at the execution in any capacity whatsoever. Rush reply.