814.00/1201: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Minister in Guatemala (Hanna)
15. Your 20, May 5, 7 p.m. The Department does not believe that it should run the slightest risk of allowing a misunderstanding of its position to exist in the mind of President Ubico. You are, therefore, desired either to show the Department’s telegram to President Ubico, or to explain its position as set out in the telegram to him orally.
For your information only this Government is concerned over a tendency apparent in certain countries in Central America to endeavor to alter the constitutional manner of succession to the presidency by illegal methods in order that present incumbents may continue in office beyond the periods for which they are elected. Because [Page 623] of the great prestige that President Ubico enjoys in Central America, it is obvious that whatever action he takes in the present situation will greatly affect the attitude of political leaders in other countries. If the tendency referred to is continued and Central America reverts to the system of personal rule there is foreseen a return to the conditions of permanent intranquillity and frequent international conflict which characterized the period prior to 1907 and 1923 when constitutional government was practically unknown in Central America. In this connection it will not have escaped your attention that President Ubico has a unique opportunity immeasurably to increase his prestige in Guatemala and in all America, and extend his influence in Guatemala, by resolutely declining to take part in any movement to continue him in office illegally.