814.00/1191

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

No. 598

Sir: Supplementing my despatch No. 551 of February 28, 1935, I have the honor to report that the proposed amendments to the Guatemalan Constitution have been submitted and are now under consideration in the Legislative Assembly. The Legation has not yet had ample opportunity to study them but will be able to forward a summary of them in the near future.

[Page 616]

In the meantime, I desire to report that, while no amendment has been proposed to Article 66 concerning succession to the Presidency, there seems to be an organized movement under way to have this Article amended in response to popular demand. I am fairly reliably informed that a petition to effect this will be presented to the Legislative Assembly, and that emissaries of “El Liberal Progresista” Party are now canvassing all sections of the Republic to obtain signatures to the petition and to smother opposition.

Respectfully yours,

Matthew E. Hanna