817.1051/782
The Minister in Nicaragua (Hanna) to the Secretary of State
No. 1030
Managua, December 23,
1932.
[Received December 29.]
Sir: Supplementing my despatch No. 1021 of
December 21, 1932, transmitting a copy of the project of the proposed
basic law for the Guardia Nacional, exclusive of Part VII thereof, I
have the honor to transmit herewith the English text of Part
VII—Articles for the Government of the Guardia Nacional de
Nicaragua,70 as
furnished to me by General
Matthews who states that it is a revision and amendment
“to correct certain defects which experience has demonstrated existed in
the original draft of these Articles as published for the government of
the Guardia Nacional de Nicaragua in 1929”.
General Matthews submitted to
President Moncada on the 19th
instant the complete project, including Part VII, with the
recommendation that it be submitted to the Nicaraguan Congress. A copy
of General Matthews’ letter of
submission, dated December 19, 1932, addressed to President Moncada, and a translation thereof are
enclosed herewith.
Respectfully yours,
[Enclosure—Translation]
The Jefe Director of the Guardia Nacional de
Nicaragua (Matthews) to
the President of Nicaragua (Moncada)
Managua, 19 December,
1932.
Excellency Mr. President: I have the honor
to submit for your consideration, the original and one copy of the
“Text of Proposed Legislation for Enactment by the Congress of
Nicaragua to Constitute the Basic Law for the Foundation of the
Military Structure of the Republic of Nicaragua.”
[Page 922]
It is recommended that this proposed legislation be submitted to the
Congress of Nicaragua, for its consideration and formal
incorporation in the laws of Nicaragua. It is, further, recommended
that this legislation, if enacted, be designated as “The Military
Code of the Republic of Nicaragua.”
I feel that I can not too strongly recommend to Your Excellency, and,
through Your Excellency, to the Congress of Nicaragua, the
desirability and necessity for the enactment of this proposed
legislation or some similar legislation as soon as practicable for
the government and orderly administration of the Guardia Nacional de
Nicaragua.
My reasons for making these recommendations are as follows:
- (1)
- The Guardia Agreement by which the Guardia Nacional de
Nicaragua was created, and under which the Guardia Nacional
has functioned until the present time, will cease to exist
on 1 January, 1933 upon the withdrawal of American personnel
from duty with the Guardia Nacional de Nicaragua.
- (2)
- The last Military Code of Nicaragua was published on or
about 15 October, 1896, prior to the adoption of the present
Constitution of Nicaragua on 21 December, 1911.
- (3)
- It is obvious that the Military Code of 1896, enacted and
published 36 years ago, fails to and can not meet the
present and more modern conditions existing in the Republic
of Nicaragua.
- (4)
- If the Guardia Nacional de Nicaragua is to be expected to
operate with the maximum efficiency, it must have a
recognized legal status in the laws of Nicaragua.
- (5)
- I believe that the proposed legislation which I have the
honor to submit herewith to Your Excellency includes the
necessary principles for establishment of the military
structure of the Republic of Nicaragua on a sound basis in
accord with the latest military thought, developments and
experiences of other nations.
With highest consideration and esteem, I am [etc.]
