817.00/8299: Telegram
The Minister in Nicaragua (Lane) to the Secretary of State
[Received 11:30 p.m.]
97. My telegram No. 96, October 4, 4 p.m. Last evening I spoke to Minister for Foreign Affairs of my fear lest some action might be taken by persons close to the President which might result in disturbing the peace of the country and of Central America as well. As Doctor Argüello appeared to know nothing about the situation which I have previously reported to the Department I determined, at the risk of jeopardizing my friendship with the source referred to in my telegram 83, of making an appeal through him for calm and absence of violence. This morning he informed me on his departure for Guatemala that he had spoken to the party in question and that he is now assured nothing will be done.
He showed me a memorandum in which his views regarding the policy to be followed by the Government were outlined: the President should set forth in writing his orders to Somoza regarding military [Page 881] changes; if Somoza obeys, all is well; if Somoza refuses, then the Government is entitled to take the necessary steps.
I showed Arguello the first paragraph of the Department’s telegram No. 52. He said he was in entire agreement with the Department’s views.