817.00/7954: Telegram
The Minister in Nicaragua ( Lane ) to the Secretary of State
[Received February 26—12:37 a.m.]
71. Earle W. Kingsley, American citizen, employed as pilot of local Italian-owned Aviation Company, called on me today and stated that Guardia Nacional desired to charter plane to drop bombs tomorrow on Sandinistas and inquired whether his participation in such action would jeopardize his citizenship. I replied that according to the precedents of international law available to me his citizenship would not be jeopardized.
Emphasizing that I was speaking merely for myself I earnestly requested him as a personal favor not to be a party in any way to bomb-throwing. He said he would refuse to go.
If Kingsley should participate in bomb-throwing after having visited me, his action would probably be interpreted as having my approval. This would be most unfortunate, particularly during the present state of public opinion.