816.01/99: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Chargé in El Salvador (McCafferty)
28. Your 46, February 17, 11 a.m., and 41, February 13, 11 a.m. The Department notes that Garay has been commandant of the Department of San Miguel since March 1931, and that he has under his command only 100 to 200 troops; also that you believe that he had no connection with the military coup d’état of December 2 and is not related to any of the leaders thereof. Upon reference to the Military Register of the Republic of Salvador for 1930 it appears that Colonel Garay takes rank after 1 General of Division, 30 Brigadier Generals and 15 other Colonels. It would therefore seem that he does not hold a “high military command” within the meaning of the Treaty. The Department is also informed by Mr. Curtis that when he was at the barracks conferring with the revolutionary leaders on the morning after the revolution broke out, he was shown a telegram received from Colonel Garay in reply to a request of the revolutionary leaders that he join the revolution. Colonel Garay, who was then at San Miguel, replied that he had received no news of the abdication or resignation of President Araujo and that until advised of such abdication or resignation he would remain at President Araujo’s orders. This would tend to confirm that Colonel Garay was not in any way involved in the revolution.
[Page 578]In view of the foregoing which constitutes all the information before it the Department, subject to correction should later information to the contrary be presented, feels that Colonel Garay would not fall within any of the categories debarred by the 1923 Treaty.
Have there been any allegations that Garay is in fact debarred or have any doubts as to his eligibility under the treaty been expressed?