817.00/7560: Telegram
The Minister in Nicaragua (Hanna) to the Secretary of State
[Received October 4—4:45 a.m.]
184. General Chamorro called on me this morning and said that the apathy within his party is such that he has been forced to give serious consideration to widespread demand in the party to abstain from the presidential elections. He said the principal reason for the party’s pessimism and indifference is its lack of funds. He said the efforts to collect funds have been almost a complete failure. He said he personally solicited funds from the prominent and well-to-do leaders in Granada and obtained only $100.
It appears from what he told me that the Granada leaders advocated coalition with Moncada, with Barberena as the candidate for president, and that they resented Diaz’s refusal to accept this coalition. This resentment combined with the failure of Diaz’s mission in the United States has materially weakened Diaz prestige. The Liberals are claiming a large majority in the registration now almost completed but Chamorro said their claims are greatly exaggerated.
General Chamorro told me that he has not failed to consider the implied obligation contracted by his party in the 1928 agreement for electoral supervision this year and that he has no complaint to make against the Electoral Mission but that the influences within his [Page 826] party opposed to participation in the elections are assuming irresistible proportions. He said that consequently it was his intention to present the subject to the legal governing board of his party this week for decision.
I told him I hoped he would meditate maturely before taking a step so radical and grave and asked him to defer action until I could consult you. He readily consented but expressed the hope that I expedite the consultation.
It may be that he is seeking an expression from the Department that will help him to stem the present revolt in his party. He manifestly realizes the force of the 1928 agreement and probably expects the Department to point out his party’s obligations under the agreement. He doubtless realizes that the abstention of his party would mean that the next congress would have a minority so insignificant and powerless that it could not carry on a useful opposition. He said he fully comprehends that abstention by his party would defeat one of the essential purposes of the electoral supervision, namely, a creation of a workable minority in proportion to the strength of the defeated party.
The withdrawal of the Conservative candidates will endanger our plan for the transfer of the Guardia. The idea of some pre-election agreement between the candidates of the two parties for the preservation of order and to meet other serious internal problems after the withdrawal of the marines which idea has been taking form during the last 2 or 3 months, has culminated in a meeting of the leaders of both parties to be held in this city tonight to begin conversations to put the idea into effect. This proposal also will be defeated if the Conservative candidates are withdrawn.
I told General Chamorro that I thought he should confer with Admiral Woodward without delay but he said he preferred to keep discussion of the subject in the smallest possible circle until he had reached a decision. On my insisting that Admiral Woodward should be acquainted with our conversation immediately, he requested me to inform him. A copy of this telegram has been furnished to Admiral Woodward.