816.01/65: Telegram
The Chargé in El Salvador (McCafferty) to the Secretary of State
[Received 7:30 p.m.]
24. In compliance with Department’s telegram No. 16, January 29, 1 p.m.,9 yesterday I informally and orally advised the de facto authorities that there is not the slightest animus against Martínez personally on the part of the United States Government but that as has been already made clear the decision of your action, the nonrecognition of his regime, is the only possible decision which can be reached in view of the provisions of the 1923 treaty. I am informed that Congress will meet on February 7th. In spite of the fact that it has been made very clear to Martínez and the military leaders that his regime cannot be recognized all indications point out the fact that he still has hopes of obtaining recognition and that at the present time he has no intention of stepping aside. He will most likely endeavor to have Congress confirm him as Constitutional President on the excuse that his administration is backed by the people, that his government has been able to suppress the recent communist menace and that it would be disastrous for the state under the present serious state of affairs to have a change of Executive.
In an informal conversation with the Under Secretary of Foreign Affairs yesterday, I mentioned the rumors that were current that General Castañeda, Colonel Valdes or some other person barred by the treaty would be named First Designate and expressed to him my concern regarding the serious situation which would be created if Congress chose designates which the Department barred from recognition by the provisions of article 2 of the 1923 treaty. He assured me most emphatically that Congress would not name designates who would be barred from recognition by the terms of the treaty in case Martínez resigned.
- Not printed; it quoted telegram No. 5, January 29, to the Minister in Costa Rica, supra. ↩