816.01/141: Telegram
The Chargé in El Salvador (McCafferty) to the Secretary of State
[Received 7:45 p.m.]
71. Referring to your telegram No. 41, March 31, 6 p.m., the press despatch mentioned is substantially true except that the copy published in a local newspaper showed only about 2,600 signatures, the list being headed by those of approximately 100 prominent people while the rest are not very well known. I understand that a large number of the better-class people refused to sign it. The petition was undoubtedly inspired and encouraged by the de facto authorities and since there is now a strict press censorship it must have been published with their approval. The tone of the petition is very defiant towards the stand taken by the other Central American Republics and the United States regarding recognition and it is undoubtedly having the intended effect of arousing popular opinion against the resignation of Martínez and making it more difficult to bring about a reorganization of the government in accordance with the provisions of the 1923 treaty. A copy of the petition was forwarded by the ordinary pouch yesterday.
Referring to the last sentence in this telegram. Since nothing had apparently been done to carry out the definite promise of the de facto authorities that the government would be reorganized immediately after Holy Week, I spoke on Wednesday with the de facto Under Secretary of Foreign Affairs and asked him what was being done. I could obtain no definite information from him. I therefore called his attention to the seriousness of four Cabinet Ministers, upon the express authorization of Martínez, giving their pledged word to the United States Government that a reorganization of the government would be carried out without fail immediately after Easter and that I felt that it should be done without further delay. He said he would speak to Martínez and at my request he promised to arrange an interview for me with Martínez so that I might discuss the situation directly with him. I expect to see Martínez today and will cable the result of my interview later.
A number of the ambitious politicians such as the present Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Hacienda, Reyes Arrieta Rossi and others who fear to lose their positions or influence by change of government has advised that he should disregard the treaty and that he can stay in office indefinitely without recognition. They argue that no financial help can be expected should recognition be extended and that since [Page 593] the Legations and Consulates of the Central American countries and the United States are maintained here in spite of nonrecognition, Salvador cannot suffer by continuing the present state of affairs.