814.00/1201: Telegram
The Minister in Guatemala ( Hanna ) to the Secretary of State
[Received May 6—9:25 a.m.]
20. Department’s telegram No. 13, May 4, 2 p.m. I am aware of nothing which could give President Ubico the slightest justification for thinking that the Government of the United States could possibly sympathize with any plan to amend the Guatemalan Constitution illegally or to continue him in power contrary to its provisions but if the Department nevertheless desires to go on record as denying the existence of such sympathy I think we should take special precautions to avert being drawn into any expression of opinion concerning the details of the matter, especially its legality, and to that end I would like to limit my statement to President Ubico to an appropriate denial of such sympathy and to be authorized to say to him if necessary that I am specifically instructed to make no comment whatsoever either on the denial or any other phase of the matter. Even then there would be much probability that the purpose of the statement would be misinterpreted here so as to convey the impression which the Department desires to avoid that the Department is endeavoring to advise President Ubico concerning the course he should follow. The decision to keep President Ubico in power is irrevocable and nothing the Department would care to say even if it were willing to give him advice would alter the final outcome. An attitude of complete aloofness in this matter for the present may best serve our interests as well as those of Guatemala in the future and it may be that a statement at this time would have undesirable consequences which would outweigh its advantages.