817.1051/720

The Minister in Nicaragua (Hanna) to the Secretary of State

No. 997

Sir: Supplementing my despatch No. 959 of November 7, 1932, I have the honor to report that the publication of the pre-electoral agreement between the candidates for the maintenance of the nonpartisan character of the Guardia Nacional during the presidential period commencing January 1, 1933, gave rise for a few days to mild criticism in the local press, and to the opposition of the small “autonomist” group, who have lately called themselves the “Patriotic Group” and who sponsored the recent agreements between the parties for the maintenance of peace68 following the withdrawal of the marines from Nicaragua. The criticism adopted the view that the Agreement represented unwarranted American interference in a purely Nicaraguan matter.

Dr. Rosendo Argüello and Federico Lacayo called on Dr. Sacasa some days ago, in representation of this group, and urged him to abandon the agreement. They told him that don Adolfo Diaz, one of the other parties to the agreement, had made it clear to them, that he was not interested in whether Dr. Sacasa lived up to the agreement or not. I have reason to doubt that this is a correct statement of Señor Diaz’ attitude on the matter. Dr. Sacasa informed me that he stated to these gentlemen that he had signed the agreement and was going to carry it out.

For some days there has been practically no comment with reference to the agreement. It is more than possible, however, that criticism will appear from time to time, and that it may become so severe as to make it difficult for the new government to live up to the agreement strictly.

Respectfully yours,

Matthew E. Hanna
  1. See pp. 833 ff.