713.1311/269: Telegram
The Minister in Nicaragua (Lane) to the Secretary of State
[Received 9:35 p.m.]
86. My 84, March 3, 3 p.m. This morning when I called on the President to inform him of names of delegates of Costa Rica and Guatemala to Central American Conference he said that he had under consideration proposing the postponement of the Conference and showed me a draft telegram to be sent to President Ubico (as well as to President Carías) suggesting in view of the recent events here that he be authorized to inform Presidents of Costa Rica and El Salvador that the opening of the Conference be postponed until April 27th. The President said that he did not wish to send this telegram until he had learned my views.
He showed me letters from Nicaraguan representative in Guatemala indicating that feeling there is very strong against the Nicaraguan [Page 444] Government because of the killing of Sandino and that President should advise him of steps taken to bring responsible persons to justice.
Emphasizing that I was speaking merely on behalf of myself, I made the following suggestion against postponement.
- 1.
- Invitation was extended by President Sacasa.
- 2.
- There has already been one postponement.
- 3.
- Participation of Nicaragua would serve to show people here that tranquillity had been reestablished.
- 4.
- If action has not been taken by April 27 with respect to party or parties responsible for killing of Sandino, position of Nicaragua then would seem to be even more unfavorable.
The President then called in Crisanto Sacasa who said that because of the recent events it had not been possible to make a comprehensive study of the matters to be discussed at Conference. The President said that the following were his views in favor of postponement:
- 1.
- Present antagonism in Costa Rica and Guatemala which should shortly subside.
- 2.
- His not having yet been able to discuss Nicaragua policy at Conference with Conservative appointee.
- 3.
- His feeling that important thing is not to hold the Conference but to attain its success which in his opinion is impossible now because of existing feeling.
Having in mind the specific instructions contained in the Department’s circular telegram of January 31, 7 p.m., and telegram No. 15 of February 26, 5 p.m.20 (that the United States is maintaining a hands-off policy regarding the Conference) I did not further press my personal views.
Subsequently the Minister of El Salvador informed me that he had advised the President to postpone the Conference because of local conditions. He said that the Honduran Chargé d’Affaires is in accord with such advice.
Repeated to Central American missions.